The head of state says Germany is one of Estonia’s key trading partners. “Our companies work side by side in the fields of engineering, mobility, digitalisation, defence, timber structures and energy,” he listed. “German businesses bring scale and expertise to those partnerships, while our own companies provide speed, innovation and digital flexibility. Working together, we make a formidable team.”
Speaking at the business forum, President Karis also touched on the economic situation more generally, stressing the need to protect international free trade. “The global trading environment is becoming more uncertain all the time, so we have to be on our guard if we are to preserve the principle of an open market,” he advised. “The tariff policies that have been adopted by the United States are a stark reminder of the precariousness of global trade. Such restrictions are a blow to German and Estonian exporters alike, since our economies are based on the principles of openness, predictability and reliability.”
The head of state says that Estonia has always championed free trade. “That said, we realise that whatever happens in terms of global trade policy, Europe must boost its competitiveness,” he remarked. “We welcome Germany’s decision to take bold steps to both support and stimulate its economy, as it will open up business opportunities for companies all over Europe, including Estonia.”
President Karis emphasised the need to contribute to the reinforcement of Europe’s internal market and capital markets. “We need to establish a more unified, truly integrated market,” he said. “That would grant Europe’s companies the scale they need to be able to compete at the global level, and a deeper and more efficient European capital market would help innovative branches of industry to grow more rapidly and scientific breakthroughs to lead to commercial success across the continent.”
Education is at the heart of Estonia’s long-term strategy, the head of state added. “How competitive a society can be depends on how well it is able to train its people,” he remarked. “During the next academic year, Estonia will be launching a nationwide initiative to bring AI tools into schools. We will be training teachers to use these tools in their classrooms with the aim of furthering education with technology and to prepare students for a world in which AI is an integral part of work and everyday life.”
According to the head of state, it is at the point where education and technology meet that Estonia sees enormous potential for cooperation with Germany. “Companies and public authorities in our two countries could work together to develop and expand educational technology solutions that serve our shared interests and those of global markets,” he said, giving as an example an agreement between Estonian and German entrepreneurs on the basis of which Koolest Solutions GmbH – a joint company of Estonia’s Praktikal and Germany’s Mastersolution AG – will be partnering with the Julius Mosen Gymnasium in Oelsnitz. Their cooperation is aimed at testing and introducing new digital solutions for the teaching of maths and science in schools.
Attending the Business Forum were Estonian and German companies seeking new opportunities for cooperation that are already experienced in developing digitalisation, electronics, industrial processes and public services with partners.
The business delegation accompanying President Karis on his visit to Germany includes representatives of Insta Globe Engineering, Gofore Estonia, Praktikal Education, Proekspert, NOTE Pärnu, CGI Estonia, Net Group, Skeleton Technologies, Nortal and ADM Interactive, as well as the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.
Gallery: Raigo Pajula/Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCdgTh
