News

The week of June 9–12 was especially dynamic and filled with high-level meetings and economic diplomacy events.

Consul General Sandra Brikaitė, together with the Lithuanian delegation led by the Minister of Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas (hereinafter referred to as EIMIN), met with the U.S. companies based in Silicon Valley and Orange County on June 9-10.

The Consulate General of Lithuania in Los Angeles was pleased to co-organize important visits to Oracle Corporation and Google together with “Invest Lithuania” team, where cooperation opportunities were discussed and possibilities for partnership development were explored, further promoting innovation, economic growth, and accelerating Lithuania’s digital transformation.

In addition, Consul General S. Brikaitė attended the launch event for the laser processing applications laboratory of the Lithuanian company Light Conversion, which was officially opened by Minister L. Savickas. The lab, located in Silicon Valley, will develop and test advanced laser solutions for the semiconductor, electronics, medical, and other high-value industries. The opening of this facility in California marks a significant step in expanding Lithuania’s high-tech sector in the U.S.

On June 10, S. Brikaitė joined the EIMIN’s delegation in a meeting with Mach Industries, a defense and space technology company, where discussions were held about the company’s expansion plans, interest in investing in Lithuania, and its innovative products. The U.S. company specializes in defense technologies – developing VTOL combat aircraft "Viper," gliders, sensor and electronic platforms, engines, and modular electronics used in drone and missile systems.

Last week also featured the largest Lithuania-related business event in the U.S. – the North American Lithuanian Business Forum (NALB), which gathered over 250 participants from Lithuania, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in Boston.

Diplomat Justina Jakavonytė played an active role in organizing the forum, which covered topics in life sciences, defense and dual-use industries, information technology, startups, and the creative industries. During the event all attendees formed new contacts and important business and academic partnerships. The team of Lithuanian Consulate General in Los Angeles was also responsible for coordinating the NALB creative industries program, and along with Honorary Consul General Daiva Navarrette, Cultural Attaché Gražina Michnevičiūtė, and representatives of professional clubs from Los Angeles and New York – Eleonora Jonušienė-Romuva, Erika Aleksaitė Kasulis, and Sondra Litvaitytė – they organized productive meetings for the Lithuanian creative and cultural industries delegation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, and other institutions. During the visits, Lithuanian representatives exchanged insights and gained experience from U.S. experts on creative leadership, innovation promotion, the transformative power of interdisciplinary education, and the synergy between art and business.

During the NALB Forum, special recognition was given to the representatives of Shriners Children's Hospital in Boston – Dr. Branko Bojovic, Head of Plastic, Laser, and Reconstructive Surgery, and Alison Mills, Director of Marketing and Communications – for their exceptional cooperation and assistance in providing free treatment to Lithuanian boy Vladas Dapkus, who was severely injured in an accident at the age of three. On behalf of the Consulate General and the U.S. West Coast organization “Lithuanian Children’s Hope”, Consul General S. Brikaitė and Honorary Consul General D. Navarrette thanked the hospital representatives for their vital support and the remarkable results in Vladas’s treatment since 2019. At the time of Vladas’s injury, the advanced medical technologies and equipment needed for his treatment were not available in Lithuania. The organization “Lithuanian Children’s Hope” led by President Rasa Šilkaitis, has been dedicated to Vladas’s care – not only by identifying Shriners as the best hospital for his treatment but also by helping the family each summer with housing and travel expenses during his care in Boston. This is a unique example of Lithuania–U.S. collaboration in the field of medicine.

The North America–Lithuania Business Forum (NALB), held annually since 2019, is the most important Lithuanian economic diplomacy event in the U.S., helping build business connections between Lithuania and the U.S. This year, the 6th NALB Forum was held in Boston in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). More information: https://nalbforum.com/ and on the NALBF LinkedIn page.