President Lennart Meri met the Board of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) and offered them lunch in Kadriorg today.

On the meeting, the positions of the Estonian businessmen on the economic developments in Estonia, including the effects of the current situation of Russia, were discussed. The businessmen considered it relevant to stress that the State should not assume the risks of individual business enterprises.

The issue of the importance of the continuity and progress of the Estonian State for the Estonian enterprising was also addressed in the meeting. The Head of State emphasised the importance of education, pointing to Finland, where even during the economically difficult times after the war funding was obtained for training young specialists in America.

As to Estonia's integration to the EU, it was admitted that there are no alternatives. Speaking of privatisation, Toomas Luman, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the sale of the Estonian enterprises for hard money instead of distributing vouchers as the positive aspect of the Estonian privatisation process. Members of the Board of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also spoke of inefficient management both in private economy and in governmental structures. Tomas Luman, Chairman of the ECCI, also emphasised the necessity for creating a favourable climate for investments.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 8, 1998

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