Your Excellencies,
Dear Friends,
We are honoured to be part of EXPO 2020 Dubai. Some might say that it is not the best time to hold business conferences and receptions. They are wrong. Difficult times create need for new relations and cooperation. It is especially important to seek for new business opportunities at the times, when global value-chains are reshaped. Therefore I am very happy to be here.
It is essential to think about the long-run global challenges like digitalisation and greening of the economy that in addition create enormous new markets and room for business.
We are following these topics in our pavilion. We chose to focus on three themes: digital, smart and sustainable.
Estonia is well known for the use of e-services in the public sector and businesses. We have coped well with the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis thanks to 99% of government services being online and the high level of innovative digital solutions. These allowed for a smooth shift to digital channels during the lockdowns.
Becoming an e-society has created a strong IT sector and we are now exporting these services all across the World. Our e-residency program, which works as a gate to our e-services and business environment. We are open to share our experiences with all countries as all have to benefit from the digital revolution.
Your Excellency, dear friends, the second topic smart is particularly close to my heart as in my previous life I have been a scientist and I have worked in universities for the most of my career. Quality education is key to the development of any country, and I am happy to see that it is important at EXPO with pavilions dedicated to smart solution in the UAE University and the Dubai Cares pavilions.
Smart cities are the future and happy that both the capital city Tallinn and the knowledge capital Tartu are not only present as partners in our pavilion, but mayors have visited EXPO and relationships are being built with Dubai.
The third topic sustainability goes hand in glove with first two topics. We need to look after our planet and ensure that we live a balanced and healthy life. Here again, EXPO leads the way in its clear messaging on climate, the UN development goals and gender balance.
I am proud to inform you that the interest from our business sector in this EXPO has broken records. We have the largest presence of Estonian companies at any EXPO with 42 pavilion partners.
I invite you all to join us for a concert of Estonian music later and wish you enjoyable evening.
