|
From cooperative to great business structure
In May West Lithuanian Industry and Finance
Corporation (WLIFC) celebrated its 10 year-jubilee and 15 years since the start of
activities.
At the celebration, the most modern building in Klaipeda – the administration premises
of the Corporation were opened after reconstruction.
To the construction of 6,6 thousand square meters building at the Dane river in the city
center with a special landing area for helicopters on the roof, and a sports complex, the
Corporation invested about 11 million Litas.
In the building situated in a prestigious location of the city, besides the Corporation
itself a lot of other companies will be accommodated – they will rent the premises.
The activities of the largest and successfully working West
Lithuanian business structure started 15 years ago when state independence ideas were only
in the phase of becoming imminent.
In 1989, Antanas Bosas with a group of business partners created a cooperative L-713.
It was one of the first cooperatives in Klaipeda region as soon as this type of business
in the Soviet Union became possible.
A small cooperative with people full of ideas transported seeds of clover to Russia and
metal back. Later on, investment companies were created. They took an active part in the
first phase of privatization in Lithuania.
In 1993 the newly created and privatized companies were integrated - the Joint St.Co. West
Lithuanian Industry and Finance Corporation was registered. The establishment of it
coincided with the introduction of the national currency Litas.
The first years the Corporation owned the control interest of shares at 16 companies.
Later on, the Corporation managed about 30 companies operating in the spheres of
construction, energy, timber industry, transport, etc.
During ten years the Corporation became one of the largest and the most successfully
working private business enterprise in Lithuania.
The development of the Corporation reflects economic development of the whole country. Its
enterprises played an important role in the economic life of Lithuania.
During ten years the turnover of the Corporation reached almost 7,5 billion Litas. One
billion Litas of taxes has been paid to the state budget. 500 million Litas has been
allocated for investments, for different charity projects - about 5 million Litas.
Every year since 2000 the total annual turnover of the enterprises owned by the
Corporation reached almost 1 billion Litas.
Reorganization of the Corporation enterprises was completed in 2003. The four members of
the Corporation Board Antanas Bosas, Rimantas Stonys, Martinas Gusiatinas and Sigitas
Paulauskas, earlier managed the whole group of the enterprises together. After the
reorganization, each of the Board members is directly managing the companies of a certain
branch.
Such a decision, according to the leaders of the Corporation, will allow improving the
management and attracting more investment.
The president of the Corporation Antanas Bosas is happy that the consecutive
fifteen-year work gave goods results: much investment is attracted to Lithuania, a lot of
jobs are created, the enterprises are modernized and will be working for the benefit of
the country for many decades.
|
