| |
 | Speeches | | |
The President of the Republic at a Danish-Estonian Economic Seminar on 14 September 2004 in Copenhagen14.09.2004
Honourable Businessmen,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First, I would like to greet you on behalf of the Estonian delegation. The friendly and businesslike atmosphere we can witness here this morning characterizes also the Danish-Estonian cooperation at large. Our countries enjoy close relations in many areas including economy.
The Estonian economy is closely intertwined with Scandinavian enterprises. It is true that Finland and Sweden play the major role as to the investments and trade but also Danish business has made significant and successful investments in Estonia. The representatives of subsidiaries of Danish companies attending today's seminar can also confirm it.
Denmark is for Estonian enterprises a well-known market into which our wooden, metal and textile products have found their way. And vice versa, many Danish brands are well known in Estonia.
The Estonian-Danish cooperation is not limited to investment and trade. An agreement concerning economic, industrial and technical cooperation between our governments was signed already in 1992. The Danish experience has helped us for instance in the field of environment and energy sector. We have close relations with the Danish Energy Authority, notably concerning rational use of energy and renewable fuels. This afternoon we are going to visit the Middlegrunden Wind Park where, among others, representatives of enterprises having links with Estonia will give talks.
Therefore, I believe that also this seminar is attended by several Danish businessmen who need not Estonia be introduced. Yet, in addition, there are definitely those here who would like to learn more about Estonia. Today's seminar offers us a good opportunity to present Estonia and I would like to introduce the following presentations by some general ideas.
As Estonia is a relatively small country, the volume of our economy is small too. Estonia's population is a bit short of a million and a half, and our economy last year amounted to nearly 60 billion Danish kronor. At the same time, our economy has made a remarkable progress indeed. Since 1997, our average economic growth per annum has exceeded 5%. Our exports have grown rapidly, more than 80% of them going to the markets of the European Union. Tourism and related services play an important role as well.
This year we have celebrated the thirteenth anniversary of the restoration of Estonian independence. Those years have passed characterized by rapid reforms. Having been committed to openness, promotion of free market and private enterprise, we have created a safe and reliable economic environment and a stable currency.
Today we can observe that a new stage driven by knowledge-based society, innovation and widening international cooperation is about to begin in the development of Estonian economy. I believe that our visit and today's economic seminar will make a worthy contribution to that.
You are always welcome to Estonia.
Thank you for your attention.
|
| |
|
vpk.ee
