On May 13, Vilnius Town Hall hosted the Taxpayer’s Respect Day awards ceremony, organized by the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI) together with the Association of Lithuanian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Crafts. The event brought together Lithuania’s leading business representatives, major taxpayers, policymakers, members of Parliament, public institutions, and civic leaders to honor those whose work, investment, and entrepreneurship sustain the state and drive economic growth.
Taxpayer’s Respect Day is marked in Lithuania on May 11. At LFMI’s initiative, the day was included in Lithuania’s official list of commemorative days in 2018. This year, LFMI brought the occasion to the highest level, turning it into a national platform for recognizing taxpayers and raising a broader public debate on taxation, competitiveness, and the conditions needed for growth in Lithuania and across the European Union.
The ceremony celebrated individuals, companies, and leaders who create jobs, strengthen Lithuania’s regions through investment, expand productive capacity, and contribute significantly to public revenue. Together, the people and companies gathered at the event generate a substantial share of Lithuania’s public finances — close to one third of the state budget.
“Taxpayer’s Respect Day is an opportunity not only to thank the people and businesses that create value, but also to remind policymakers of taxpayers’ rights — including the right to a stable, clear, and predictable tax system,” said LFMI President Elena Leontjeva at the ceremony.
“The government has no money other than that created by taxpayers through their work, enterprise, and investment. Education, healthcare, and national defence all rest on the value they create.”
Leontjeva stressed that recognizing taxpayers is especially important at a time when businesses face market uncertainty, rising regulatory demands, growing tax pressures, and intensifying competition within the European Union and globally.
“If we want a strong Lithuania, we must protect not only the budget, but also those who finance it. We need a tax system in which people do not feel punished for success, but encouraged to create even more. Everyone gathered here today is helping to build the state — you are its lifeblood,” Leontjeva said.
Sigitas Gailiūnas, President of the Association of Lithuanian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, also addressed the audience. He noted that businesses today operate in an increasingly complex environment shaped by uncertainty, new requirements, and heavier regulation. Respect for taxpayers, he said, must therefore mean more than gratitude — it must also mean a clearer, more stable, and more competitive environment for work, investment, and innovation.
“This day reminds us that respect for taxpayers begins with the state’s ability to listen to those who create the economy,” said Gailiūnas. “Businesses need clarity. They need to know what rules will apply not only today, but also in one year, or several years from now. Only then can companies plan investments, expansion, and jobs. Businesses should be able to focus on markets, customers, production, and innovation — not spend most of their time adapting to constantly changing rules.”
The ceremony highlighted a broader challenge facing Lithuania and the European Union: how to finance public needs without weakening the very businesses and individuals that generate growth. In a period of geopolitical pressure, slower European growth, and global competition for investment, tax policy is not only a fiscal issue — it is a competitiveness issue.
Awards were presented to taxpayers whose activities create long-term value for Lithuania: strengthening regions, investing in new capacity, creating jobs, contributing substantially to the public finances, and taking leadership in society.
In the Regional Economy category, awards were presented to Mars Lietuva, Intersurgical, ORLEN Lietuva, and TELTONIKA IoT GROUP — companies whose investment, job creation, and international links strengthen Lithuania’s regions.
In the Regional Small and Medium-Sized Business category, companies were recognized for their contribution through corporate income tax and employment-related tax revenues. IPUKIS, Vikebas, and Pasvalio agrochemija were honored for their corporate income tax contribution, while GEALAN BALTIC, Klovainių skalda, and Umaras were recognized for their contribution through employee income taxes.
In the Investment category, awards went to Homanit Lietuva, Pentasweet, and the VMG Group. Homanit Lietuva was recognized for an investment of more than EUR 200 million and the launch of a modern production facility; VMG Group for circular economy and renewable energy solutions; and Pentasweet for expanding high value-added manufacturing in Lithuania.
In the National Economic Contribution category, Swedbank, SEB Bank, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics were honored for their major corporate income tax contribution. Maxima LT, IKI Lietuva, Danske Bank Lithuania, Norfos mažmena, and InMedica were recognized for significant job creation in Lithuania.
In the Future Leadership category, awards were presented to Thomas Platenga, Head of the Lithuanian Centre for Investigative Journalism; Tomas Okmanas, co-founder of Nord Security; Tadas Burgaila, entrepreneur and investor; and Rytis Laurinavičius, co-founder of the initiative Education #1. They were recognized for their contribution to strengthening business, education, democratic initiatives, and youth entrepreneurship.
The event was attended by Lithuania’s key business and policy decision-makers, including policymakers, members of Parliament, representatives of state institutions, business associations, and civic organizations. It was moderated by Rolandas Barysas, Editor-in-Chief of Verslo žinios.
Taxpayer’s Respect Day is marked in Lithuania on May 11. Since 2018, at LFMI’s initiative, it has been included in Lithuania’s official list of commemorative days — a reminder that the state is built by those who work, invest, create jobs, take risks, and generate the resources on which public life depends.