segunda-feira, novembro 07, 2011

Lithuanian regional social and economic development disparities

Lithuania-a small country, but the nature of society and territorial differences within it are sufficiently sharp. They display the soil, topography, climate, landscape variations, economic achievements, socio-cultural, demographic, ethnic (even language) variations. State policies can suppress these differences, promote, or sort by supporting natural and positive cultural identity and comparing the socio-economic disparities.
Regions observed significant differences in unemployment. According to the Labour Exchange, the number of registered unemployed in 2010 reaches the highest unemployment rate in Siauliai, and Tauragė the lowest - in Kaunas and capital of Lithuania Vilnius counties.
Most affected by unemployment are in the agricultural districts, because of employment decline in agriculture and low opportunities to develop small businesses in rural areas.
Talking about each of Lithuanian regions, they all have their own policy. For example, the biggest transport sector is located in a very small city called Marijampolė. Marijampolė has the biggest transport sector because is located near Poland border, has good relations with them and because it follows a quite close policy approach. It is very hard to access this area and make money by new people. Talking not only about business, the people in this city is totally different comparing with larger cities. They just trying survive. The culture is more aggressive, maybe because greater part of the population are foreigners, from Russia. For Lithuania transport sector it is very important, because it accounts for 13 percent of total GDP.
We what regards other regions, we can keep the case of Klaipėda, which possesses the biggest logistic sector in all Lithuania. Klaipeda has the largest shipping port in the whole Baltic countries. Klaipeda is the northern most ice-free port of the eastern Baltic Sea. This is the most important and the biggest Lithuanian transport hub, connecting sea, land and railway routes from East to West. The port operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout all the year. Directly to the Klaipeda port activity are more than 800 companies, creating over 23 thousand jobs and 4.5 percent of Lithuania's total GDP. Due to the active port operation, it provids around 185 thousand induced jobs. Klaipeda port is directly and indirectly related to 18 percent Lithuania's total GDP.
Talking about population culture, it is completely different the one of other cities. They have their own city history, people are more polite, maybe because they have all the time fresh air and do not have too many foreigners.
Main industries, like confectionery, milk, bread and others in Lithuania are distributed in very small towns, because the land is cheaper and construction too. In these cities, people are simple, and do not has a lot of money, living a quiet life.
In all country there are not big companies like the ones connected to the automobile industry or others. Many important products are imported from Europe, but in the future there is a plan to set up a solar cell company in Lithuania.

Julius Pečiulevičius

[Artigo de opinião produzido no âmbito da unidade curricular “Economia Regional” do 3.º ano do curso de Economia (1.ºciclo) da EEG/UMinho]

Sem comentários: