Lithuania’s economy may reach the level of old EU member states in 18 years

Being the fastest growing economy in Europe (with its GDP growth rate of 9% in 2003 and 7.7% in the first quarter of 2004), Lithuania might reach the level of old EU members in 18 years, according to forecasts of analysts of Vilniaus Bankas, owned by the SEB group. The analysts estimate that Lithuania’s GDP will rise by 6.8% in 2004 and 2005 and by 6.4% in 2006. Meanwhile the GDP of eurozone countries will grow by 1.5% in 2004 and 2.2% in 2005. Free trade in the single market and a rise in wealth of Lithuania’s population will be an even greater stimulus for the country’s economic development than the EU structural funds, say the analysts.