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The President of the Republic continued visiting enterprises in Põlvamaa26.08.2003
 President Arnold Rüütel this afternoon continued his tour of the County of Põlvamaa to familiarize himself with the county's small enterprises.
At Põlvamaa's Savings & Credit Cooperative, the Chairwoman of its Board, Helle Virt, told the President about the activities of the cooperative. The cooperative, which for now has operated three years, is uniting farmers of the Counties of Põlvamaa and Võrumaa. In President's estimation, cooperation in such an area was vital both in social and economic terms since it enabled to carry out small regional projects, which large banks were not willing to finance. Helle Virt confirmed that life itself forced small businessmen to cooperate and, thus, cooperation was coming back into favour again.
Thereafter, the President called at the fuel company Mahta Kütus and meat processing plant Vastse-Kuuste Lihatööstus. At the first of them, possibilities to produce and use more widely rape biofuel, which would create jobs for local people and reduce dependence on imported oil, were under discussion. The President held that making environment-friendly products like this was worth of state support.
The President recommended Vastse-Kuuste Lihatööstus to orientate towards organic products and by that towards the European market. "This would generate good publicity for both the producer and Estonia's clean nature," the President added. Leaders of the plant explained that they already had presented their products in Germany where these received approval from consumers.
In the evening, a seminar took place at the County Government of Põlvamaa where many local businessmen asked questions about how the European Union would influence our business environment. Representatives of Enterprise Estonia and Maaelu Edendamise Sihtasutus (Rural Life Promotion Foundation) briefed those present on the state and European Union support systems and subsidies available. The President of the Republic in his remarks said that it was possible to implement both short- and long-term projects with the help of the EU funds. "However, Estonia definitely must give preference to investments raising birthrate, favouring family and education," President Rüütel said.
Tomorrow, the President will tour the County of Valgamaa.
Office of the President
Kadriorg, August 26, 2003
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