In the past the Panevezys Region was well known as the agricultural region. Privatisation and restructurisation of the state-owned and agricultural enterprises and active participation of businessmen in this process have been the decisive factor since 1990 in small and medium-size business development in the Panevezys Region as well as in Lithuania. The number of small and medium size-companies has been increasing rapidly. Such companies have a number of advantages, as they do not need huge investment, they can quickly react to changes on the market and are able to flexibly adapt themselves to them, they are seeking to develop and produce new and higher quality products and services.
    According to the records of the Company Register of the Panevėžys Region there are 1352 acting economic entities. The sole proprietorships make 53,7 per cent, private limited liability companies - 15,0 per cent, and agricultural companies - 3,2 per cent of the total number of entities. Most of the companies are not specialised. They are engaged in a variety of activities and are looking for optimal solution for their specialisation, they tend to change their activities, so it is quite complicated to tell how many companies are engaged in a particular activity. Such flexibility of companies enables them to promptly respond to changing demands and emerging new technologies. In most cases such small and medium businesses are the ones that begin employing new production and take a firm stand in their market niche. This has helped to some of the companies to find markets not only in Lithuania but also abroad.

Conditions for business development in the region are the same as in other locations of Lithuania, but in some aspects they maybe even more favourable. There are quite many qualified people, living and subsistence costs are comparatively not big, and the road network is well developed. The world practice shows that investment goes to areas where one can get highest profit. The region exactly meets these requirements - there is huge supply of inexpensive buildings and premises and cheap labour is available. Available buildings may be used for development of production and commercial activities. The vocational training institutions may prepare or retrain the specialists you might need.
    The main products currently made in the Panevezys Region are commercial timber, furniture, fresh meat and its by-products, smoked meat and bakery products. Extensive experience has been accrued by the "RBD" Plc, AB "Krekenavos agrofirma", Zibartoniai Agriculture Company and others.
    Having assessed the situation in the region, we prepared the scheme - plan of proposals to business people.

• Establishment of companies providing services
• Establishment of joint ventures with foreign investment

The area of productive land in the region is 122,3 thousand hectares including 76,2 thousand hectares of privately owned land.
    Plains are predominant in the area, and 82 per cent of the productive land was improved through land reclamation. The soils are not acid, 33 per cent of the total territory of the region is occupied by forests including 17,0 thousand hectares of privately owned forests.
    Forty seven companies are engaged in agricultural activities including 27 agricultural companies, 10 agricultural co-operatives, 6 private or public limited liability companies, 1 agrofirm, 705 registered farmers (farms), 35101 individual land users and producers of agricultural produce. Besides, there are 8895 users of small landplots who are members of various gardeners’ partnerships. The number of farms run by young people (under 40) is 153. Average size of a farm is 17.1 hectares, 119 farmers own land plots bigger than 50 hectares.
    The soils we have here are in principle suitable for growing all kinds of field and garden plants. Areas for grain crops account for 17,8 per cent of the total crops, including winter bread wheat and rye - 41,9 per cent (most of it would be winter bread wheat). Industrial crops make 6,4 per cent of the total, out of that sugar beet - 42 per cent, raps - 39,4 percent, flax - 14,3 per cent. Potato crops make 4,7 per cent and vegetables for 1,2 per cent of the total crops in the region. Annually the region produces 130 thousand tons of grain, 95 thousand tons of sugar beet, 4 thousand tons of raps, 70 thousand tons of potatoes, 19 thousand tons of vegetables, 40 thousand tons of milk and 6 thousand tons of meat.
    The production of agricultural produce is mainly performed by agricultural companies, co-operatives and the agrofirm, which have more modern machinery and equipment. These farms annually produce and sell approx.62 per cent of total sugar beets, 47 per cent of total grain, 44 per cent of raps, 73 percent of flax, 43 per cent of milk and 89 per cent of meat.

Reclamed (ameliorated) land

Huge production potential to produce and process agricultural produce (land, buildings, and labour).

Comparatively cheap qualified labour.

There are many companies in Panevezys purchasing and processing agricultural produce like AB "Panevezio Pienas" (Dairy plant), AB "Malsena" (Grain processing plant), AB "Panevezio Cukrus" (Sugar refinery), AB "Linu Pluostas" (Flax processing plant). The farmers are provided various agriculture related services and assisted in growing and selling seeds and grain by "Agrolitpa" Plc and "Linas ir Viza" Plc.

AB "Panevezio Melioracija" (land reclamation company), the main contractor for land reclamation, is successfully working in the region.

The Upyte Research station, the branch of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, is working in the field of flax growing.

The Credit Union "Ukininku Viltis" (Farmers’ Hope), uniting over 800 members, provides financing services.

Interregional Agricultural Co-operative "Silaguoge" (Heathberry) is assisting in solving problems of berry growing.

ThePanevezys Vocational Training Centre prepares qualified agricultural workers, they also have courses for improvement of qualifications. The Panevezys M. Rimkevicaite Technology School also trains people for work in agriculture. Both schools maintain close co-operation with agricultural entities of the region.

The country has long running traditions of production of agricultural produce.

• Production of ecological agricultural products and their processing
• Production of fruit, berries and vegetables and their processing
• Sheep-breeding
• Rabbit-breeding
• Production of milk and cattle raising and their processing
• Production of bioenergy

• Credit Union "Farmers' Hope"
  Activity:    receipt of current and term deposits, loan granting, other financial services
  Address:   Vasario 16-sios g. 27, Panevezys 5319
  Phone:   +37045581731, +37045584684
  Fax:   +37045584684
  E-mail address:   kreditas@delfi.lt, ku@delfi.lt
  

• Company "Zimbravos" transport
  Activity:   Freight carriage in Lithuania and foreign countries (till 14 Mt., 50 cubic metre) People transport with buses: Buses with 14, 19 passengers seats - in Lithuania and foreign countries.Buses with 22,24,28,48,50 passengers seats–in Lithuania only Vehicles civil amenability insurance and others insurance services
  Address:   Stetiskių 74, LT-5302, Panevezys
  Phone:   +37045431433, +37045434765
  Fax:   +37045431433
  Mobile:   +37068503710
  

• Lithuanian Berry Growers Cooperative "SILAUOGE"
  Activity:   Berries / fruit growing, specialized gardening, processing and canning of fruit, berries and vegetables and its sale in bigger scale, more than 300 hectares of berries fields.
  Address:   Topoliu g. 17, LT 5300 Panevezys
  Phone:   +37045584684
  Phone/Fax:   +37045584685
  E-mail address:   silauoge@delfi.lt
  http://www.panrs.lt/silauoge
• JSC DALIAUS Driving school
  Activity:   Provides driving courses necessary to obtain driving licences of all categories, also training courses for persons responsible for transportation of dangerous goods by road (drivers and security specialists).
  Address:   RESPUBLIKOS G.15 , LT 5300 Panevezys
  Phone:   +37045515351
  E-mail address:   dvmc@vairavimocentras.lt
  http://www.vairavimocentras.lt