Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Markets and Companies

Ivask said that Estonia as a member of the European Union and carrier of the Scandinavian business culture can be an effective center and gate for the Eastern Partnership countries for entering the EU market. "Our business friendly economic environment and tax system, flexible work policy, modern e-solutions, and location definitely offer a good opportunity for it," Ivask said. "We are also happy to share the advantages of the e-state through e-residency with the Eastern Partners," Ivask was quoted by Enterprise Estonia spokespeople as saying.

Ivask expressed hope that the business forum will help entrepreneurs of Eastern Partnership countries to find new business opportunities and contacts and encouraged them to use the opportunities presented to entrepreneurs by Enterprise Estonia. "Our foreign investments center offers various services to foreign companies interested in Estonia and our representatives abroad can also help companies operating in Estonia in expanding to new markets," Ivask said.

Representatives of Enterprise Estonia at the business forum introduced to entrepreneurs of Eastern Partnership countries opportunities that Estonia can offer to international companies. Jaan Heinsoo, head of the Central and Eastern European representation of Enterprise Estonia's foreign investments center, gave an overview of the foreign companies' opportunities in Estonia and the local business environment, while representatives of the e-residency project spoke about opportunities that using e-residency will give to foreign entrepreneurs. In addition, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Moldovan, Ukrainian and Belarusian entrepreneurs this weekend are to also visit Estonian companies in different counties across the country.

Entrepreneurs of Eastern Partnership countries on Friday visited Transiidikeskuse AS, Port of Tallinn, the Paldiski Association of Entrepreneurs, the PAKRI Science and Industrial Park, the Port of Paldiski, the e-Estonia showroom, Ulemiste City, Nortal, the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Kuehne + Nagel, Krimelte, ETS Nord, Mektory, IMECC, Tieto Estonia, CGI Estonia, Telliskivi creative city, Testlio, Funderbeam, ABB and Estanc.

The entrepreneurs on Saturday were to embark on a visit to Southeast Estonia and visit GoSwift, Viru Keemia Grupp and Port of Sillamae. The companies and institutions to be visited in South Estonia include Saint-Gobain Glass, HANZA Mechanics and the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The 4th Eastern Partnership Business Forum titled "Digital Economy: Innovative Platform for Transparent Borderless Business" is to take place from Thursday until Saturday under the leadership of the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership and Enterprise Estonia. Altogether 500 people are expected to attend, including entrepreneurs and decision makers of Eastern Partnership and European Union countries, who are interested in business ties and cooperation.

Representatives of Enterprise Estonia said that altogether 508 meetings to establish contacts have taken place in the framework of the business forum.