2009-06-25 09:06:49 - Lembit Loo, DEOL Partners Investment Officer, supported bridging of Ukrainian and Estonian business interests by participating in the Ukrainian-Estonian workshop on May 14, 2009

The Estonian Investment and Trade Agency, a division within Enterprise Estonia, the Estonian largest support institution for business and entrepreneurship, together with the Estonian Embassy in Ukraine held a workshop on the Ukrainian-Estonian cooperation and the opportunities for the Ukrainian companies to do business in Estonia “e-Stonia, the entire country in a mobile phone” on May 14, 2009.

DEOL Partners was presented at the Ukrainian-Estonian workshop by its Investment Officer Lembit Loo to enhance relations among the countries’ business communities. «Economic downturn made business community more cautious about cooperation with new partners and less-known areas of future development. In such conditions it’s really important to exchange opinions with different market players and to look for possible opportunities in both Estonia

and Ukraine. My main aim is to support interests of Estonian companies and to present Ukrainian real estate market to potential partners. It’s easy to see only downturn’s negative side, but the most effective way of doing business is to focus on quality niche opportunities that can be profitable in spite of negative market conditions,” – comments Lembit Loo.

The opening address was made by Juhan Parts, the Minister of Economy and Communication of Estonia. The framework of the workshop envisaged the speeches by the representatives of the Estonian companies, that have business interests in Ukraine or already work in Ukraine, as well as contact meetings among the Estonian and Ukrainian companies, organized by the Ukrainian Union of Producers and Businessmen.

The goal of the workshop was to show the unique opportunities of establishing and developing business in Estonia. The following aspects were covered:
 economic cooperation between Ukraine and Estonia;
 opening of Enterprise Estonia’s representative office in Kiev;
 IT infrastructure and “new economy” in Estonia;
 services and subsidies for Ukrainian investors into the projects in Estonia;
 the Estonian Business Association in Ukraine: goals, agenda and networking with the Ukrainian business community;
 overview of financial, tax and business environment in Estonia.

The next step to enhance the Ukrainian-Estonian cooperation will be made during round table “Business Reefs in Ukraine” on June 16, 2009, organized by Enterprise Estonia and the Estonian Embassy in Ukraine. The main purpose of the event is to describe the business environment in Ukraine from different angles, as well as the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Ukraine faced by foreign entrepreneurs. The round table will be moderated by political scientist Iscander Hisamov.

Lembit Loo, DEOL Partners Investment Officer, will speak on investment environment in Ukraine with a focus on real estate.