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VILNIUS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's Confederation of Industrialists (LPK) on Tuesday cautiously welcomed the government's program to address the main challenges in the country's economy.
On the heels of the welcome statement, however, LPK head Robertas Dargis encouraged the government to implement the necessary reforms at a faster speed.
"Four difficult years are ahead for achieving the goals that were declared (by the government); we truly hope that the plan will transform into purposeful calendar of needed reforms," Dargis was quoted as saying in the statement.
His comments followed the government plan of measures, which was revealed last week.
According to the head of LPK, in order to improve the investment environment in Lithuania, more initiatives and reforms in the country's tax system are needed. Dargis also called for a bigger focus on the tourism sector.
"Tourism generates around 5 percent of Lithuanian GDP and has a high potential," Dargis underlined.
Energy issues, particularly concerning competitive energy resources prices for the country's industry, transport and environmental issues should also get more attention from the government, LPK said.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis commented earlier that among the top government's priorities were the fight to end poverty, increasing social inclusion by reducing income inequality and promoting involvement in the labor market, boosting support to families, and reforming the entire education system.
Skvernelis also listed among his priorities the development of an innovative economy by increasing business productivity and creating high value-added jobs, improving the tax system in a direction favorable to economic growth, and reducing the shadow economy.
LPK is a lobby group which represents the interests of large industrialists and employers. The organization counts some 3,000 medium and large enterprises from various sectors among its members. Enditem
