エストニア経済ニュース

●有名起業家，留学を支援
Successful entrepreneurs, including founders of Skype, TransferWise and LHV, offer financial support to 20 students to continue their studies at top universities in the world. (Äripäev, page 7, September 1, 2015)
 

●転職ポータルサイト，欧米で利用者15万人
Express Group invests 50 000 euros to the international job exchange portal Jobbatical that was founded by entrepreneur Karoli Hindriks. Lately Estonian-born start-up announced involving 510 000 euros of additional investments. World’s best technology editions have described Jobbatical as a guide to the future job market. Platform that was launched less than a year ago is growing fast and has about 150 000 customers today from USA, Brazil and several European countries. (Äripäev, page 3, September 2, 2015)
 

●EUに生乳生産者支援を要請
Minister of rural affairs Urmas Kruuse is asking extraordinary support for Estonian milk producers from EU funds. In his application Kruuse notes that milk producers are important employers at rural areas, who are currently in a very difficult situation after Russian trade embargo. (Postimees, page 4, September 3, 2015)
 

●政府，国有企業を束ねる持ち株会社設立を計画
The government discusses the proposal to unite port, railway and airport services under a single holding company. According to the proposal such holding company would represent the whole sector and strengthen the inspection over the state owned companies. The new holding company would manage the Port of Tallinn, Estonian Railways, EVR Cargo, Eesti Loots, Saarte Liinid, Tallinn Airport and ship traffic department of Estonian Maritime Administration. (Postimees, page 5, September 3, 2015)
 

●スウェーデン企業各社，エストニアに投資
Swedish companies plan to keep investing in Baltic States and are happy with the business climate in the region. According to the survey among 107 Swedish businesses that are active in Baltic States the predicted volume of investments for this year is 44 million euros in the whole region. By 2018, 228 million euros is predicted to be reached, of which Estonia would receive 90 million euros. Currently Estonia has the highest number of Swedish enterprises – about 800. (Äripäev, page 3, September 3, 2015)
 

●ノルデア銀行，GDP成長率2％の予測
Nordea Bank published their new estimate for economic growth: 2% in 2015 and 3% in 2016. Prediction foresees slow recovery and high risk level of the external markets. The main risk of Estonian long-term economic growth is too large dependency on internal consumption and decreasing investment volumes. Russian economic climate keeps worsening, but its influence to Estonian export is decreasing. (Äripäev, page 9, September 3, 2015)
 

●タリン空港利用者が対前年比で9．3％以上増加
The number of passengers in Tallinn Airport is growing. During the first 8 months of this year almost 1.5 million passengers have traveled through Tallinn Airport. This is 9.3% more than in 2014. (Postimees, page 8, September 8, 2015)
 

●オイルシェールガスからガソリンを生産
Estonian Energy announced procurement of equipment for producing petrol from oil-shale gas. Estonian Energy will make investment decision on building the new units in the end of 2016 and in case of positive decision, the work should start in 2018. (Postimees, page 8, September 8, 2015)
 

●ロシアによる禁輸のため欧州で牛乳生産過剰に
Due to Russian embargo on dairy products and decreasing demand of China, Europe is facing large milk over-production. The price of raw milk has dropped by 20% to about 33 cents per liter. Before the sanctions were applied, Russia was one of the largest export partners of EU dairy producers. Another serious hit came from China that imports less milk powder than earlier. European farmers hope that the quotas of milk production will be re-applied. (Äripäev, page 10, September 9, 2015)
 

●住宅ローン，前年比2％増加
According to the Bank of Estonia, Estonians have taken 165 000 euros of housing loans by the second quarter in 2015. The number of loans has grown by 2% in one year. Average loan balance is 37 400 euros, which is 1.7% larger than one year earlier. (Äripäev, page 11, September 9, 2015)
 

●アジアからの旅行者が増加（7月）
The number of tourists increased in July. 295 400 foreign tourists used the accommodation services in July, which is 1% more than in July 2014. 458 800 people in total used accommodation services, which is 4% more than in 2014. 63% of tourists arrived from neighboring countries: Latvia Finland and Russia. The number of Finnish tourists grew by 3%, the number of Latvian tourists increased by 20% and the number of Russian tourists decreased by 22%. The number of tourists from Asian countries keeps increasing. (Äripäev, page 7, September 10, 2015)
 

●作曲家アルヴォ・ぺルト氏に関するドキュメンタリー映画，全世界で放映へ
“Adam’s Passion” by Arvo Pärt that was staged in May and it will be shown as a documentary film in TV already in September in ETV, BBC (UK), NHK (Japan) and ARTE (Europe). This is a grand project for the international reputation of Estonia that is predicted to reach 40-50 million people during the upcoming years. (Postimees, page 23, September 12, 2015)
 

●農民約百人，国会前でデモ
About hundred tractors are expected in front of the Estonian parliament today as a part of a picket of farmers. For the sign of good faith farmers will bring 101 breads for the parliament members to symbolize the importance of farming for our everyday food. The goal of the demonstration is demanding more money for the sector to alleviate the impact of Russian sanctions and the influence of combating the spread of African swine fever. Currently Estonia and Romania are the only countries, where milk production is decreasing after abolishing the quotas – all other countries offer stronger support for the sector. Estonian subsidies are currently at the level of 60% from EU average and they should increase to 75% by 2020. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 4, September 14, 2015)
 

●健康保険，赤字の見通し
Health Insurance Fund is predicted to end up with 17 million of minus this year. It is clear that doctors’ salaries can’t keep increasing in a fast pace. On the other hand the state could consider investing more in health care. Among OECD countries Estonia is the second last in the fraction of health-care expenses of GDP. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 6, September 14, 2015)
 

●失業率，民族により違い
The job market is more difficult to non-Estonians. In 2015 the unemployment rate of Estonians is 5.6% and non-Estonians 8.8%. Estonia badly needs additional work-force, the number of free jobs in the second quarter was 8500, which is 10% higher than during the same period last year. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 17, September 15, 2015)
 

●エストニア産ハイブリッド・ロボットカー，ロンドン軍事見本市に出品
Estonian company Milrem Plc presented a new hybrid-drive unmanned military truck yesterday during the military equipment exhibition in London. The vehicle is meant to work in locations that are dangerous for humans and has been worked out in collaboration with Estonian Ministry of Defense, Estonian Defense Forces and Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian universities. First test-drives are expected to take place in the beginning of next year. (Postimees, page 3, September 16, 2015)
 

●財務省がGDP成長率1．7％を予測
Ministry of Finance presented their new economic forecast yesterday. State’s budget would be in temporary deficit next year as the increase in costs is not fully compensated with the increased income. The largest increase in costs next year comes from the increase of pensions by 5.7%. The average salary is predicted to increase by 4.8% this year and 4.5% next year. Economic growth prediction was lowered from 2% to 1.7% this year and was estimated to be 2.6% next year. During the last year internal consumption has been the main contributor to economic growth, but this is predicted to change during the upcoming years with increasing contribution from export thanks to economic recovery of the export destination countries. Prices are decreasing for a second year in a row, the prognosis for this year is -0.3%. 2% inflation is predicted for the next year.  (Äripäev, page 4-5, September 17, 2015)
 

●第2四半期労働コストが5．5％上昇
Estonia stands out with a fast growth of the price of the working hour. According to Eurostat data Baltic States experienced the fastest growth in the price of the working hour in euro-zone in the 2nd quarter. In Latvia the growth was 7.9%, in Estonia 5.5% and in Lithuania 2.9% in yearly comparison. (Äripäev, page 9, September 17, 2015)
 

●生産性向上が課題
Estonian productivity level is several times lower than EU average. In 2013 Estonian worker created on average 11.4 euros of additional value per hour, while EU average is 29.7 euros. Increase of salaries depends on increase of efficiency. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 16-17, September 22, 2015)
 

●国際企業各社がサポートセンターを設置
The language proficiency and IT knowledge of Estonians and favorable investment-environment has brought several successful support centers of large international companies here. Estonia hosts financial center of Statoil with 8 financial specialists and accountants; cruise ship travel agency Hurtigruten that hires people with German, Norwegian, Swedish, French and English proficiency to service their target markets; large IT development center of Kühne+Nagel, hiring more than 250 qualified IT specialists; global financial center of Stora Enso and financial services center of Fortum with about 70 employees. (Äripäev, page 6-7, September 28, 2015)
 

●税制ランキング：1位　エストニア
This week Tax Foundation will publish its annual index for the competitiveness of tax systems – according to the Wall Street Journal, Estonia holds the 1st place once again, having a flat 20% income tax rate both for private and juridical persons and personal dividend-profit is not taxed. Estonia is followed by New Zeeland. (Äripäev, page 9, September 29, 2015)
 

●食品輸出量が8％増加
Last year the total export volume of Estonian food products increased by 8%, while the total value of export decreased by 5% in comparison to 2013. Grain, milk and milk products and drinks gave the largest contribution to the export volume. (Äripäev, page 11, September 29, 2015)
 

●ZEV Motors社がEVスーパーカーを開発
Estonian company ZEV Motors plans to build an electrical super-car that would compete with Tesla. ZEV Motors is collaborating with Finnish company that worked out the world’s most powerful electric car Toroidion. The aim is to complete the first prototype by the Frankfurt car fare in 2016 and produce 47 cars within 3 years. (Äripäev, page 12, September 30, 2015)
 

●公共部門，障がい者を雇用へ
The goal of working ability reform that starts next year is to involve disabled people or people with reduced working capacity better to the job market. The new law requires that by 2020 public sector should hire at least 1000 people with reduced working capacity. In January 2016 several supportive services for recruitment of disabled people are initiated. Starting from the second half of 2016, e-services are added. Total cost of the working ability reform is 198 million euros. (Postimees, page 3, October 1, 2015)
 

●競争力ランキング：30位　エストニア
According to the international competitiveness rating that was published by World Economic Forum yesterday, Estonia holds a 30th place, having fallen by one place in comparison to last year. (Postimees, page 8, October 1, 2015)
 

●アフリカにおける豚コレラの影響でフィンランドから豚を輸入
Estonia’s largest meat industry HKScan starts importing pigs from Finland, intensifying the difficulties of local pig farmers. HKScan has been promoting local pork for years with their brand. The decision is explained by low amount of Estonian farms that remain outside of the zones of African swine fever. Many farms belong to zone 3 that require special treatment of meat and are under export restrictions. The news received sharp reaction from the head of parliament’s Rural Life Committee Ivari Padar, who told that the decision means “throwing local food to the mud”. Minister of Rural Life Urmas Kruuse meets with pig farmers today to discuss collaboration to overcome the difficulties related to the crisis. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 6, October 1, 2015)
 

●中銀総裁，成長鈍化に言及
The President of the Bank of Estonia noted that Estonian economy grows slowly, having a potential for faster growth than current 2%. The growth is limited by continuous growth of employment expenses that exceeds the growth in productivity, insufficient investments and sharp decrease in the real estate prices of Nordic countries. The purchasing power and internal consumption is expected to decrease next year, as inflation rate of 2-3% is predicted. Economic climate of our closest neighbors is improving slowly, being surrounded by large insecurity. (Äripäev, page 2, October 1, 2015)
 

●アフガン女性のIT教育を支援
Estonia is supporting female IT education in Afghanistan, providing computer classes, internet connection and teachers. (Postimees, page 10-11, October 2, 2015)
 

●地域LNGターミナル建設へ
Finnish government and state company Gasum announced on Friday that they give up the establishment of LNG terminal – this means that the rights for building an LNG terminal is transferred to Estonia. Estonian-Finnish energy collaboration turned problematic since Finnish energy company Gasum (a joint company of Finland and Gazprom) quit the Balticconnector investment application. Finnish government decided on Friday to join Estonia’s application of Balticconnector for establishing Balticconnector without Gasum, but with new holding company that should be ready by October 14 that is the deadline for submitting the joint application to Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas was content with the development, commenting that the decision means a unified Baltic-Finnish gas market by 2019. (Äripäev, page 4-5, October 5, 2015)
 

●スタートアップ，納税や雇用へ貢献
Estonian start-ups have paid 11.7 million euros of employment taxes during the past half a year to Estonia’s state budget. According to the support unit Startup Estonia (founded last year as a part of Enterprise Estonia that is funded by European Regional Fund) local start-ups give jobs to 2154 people and 80% of all employees in Estonian start-ups work in Estonia. (Äripäev, page 7, October 5, 2015)
 

●欧州委，国際ICT研究センター設置を支持
The European Commission supported the idea of establishing a high-level ICT reseach center in Estonia. The proposal was submitted by Tartu University, Tallinn University and Edinburgh University. The allocation of funding would be decided within a year. The Estonian side is determined to establish the center even without the EU support. Jaak Vilo, the head of the Tartu University institute of computer sciences, said that the center would improve ICT education by involving new lecturers and researchers, provide better postgraduate training and contribute to the emergence of more efficient enterprises. The necessary contribution of the state has been estimated at 60 million euros. (Eesti Päevaleht, page 4, October 8, 2015)
 

●木造住宅メーカーに企業賞
The best company in Estonia is wooden house producer Kodumaja Plc. Yesterday evening the winners of Estonia’s largest entrepreneurship competition were announced. Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Employers Union elected best companies in categories and a general winner. (Postimees, page 8, October 9, 2015)
 

●企業数，10年で倍増
There are 114 000 active companies in Estonia, which is two times more in comparison to 10 years ago (53 000). 107 000 of the companies are small, with less than 10 employees. (Postimees, page 9, October 9, 2015)
 

●電子居住者，5，500人突破
CIO of Estonia, Mr. Kotka considers e-Residency to be Estonia’s national start-up. By mid-September Estonia reached 5000 e-residents and by today the number is larger than 5500 – this spectacularly exceeds the first year’s goal of 2000 e-residents. Also, there are already more than 360 companies that are related to e-residents. It has to be admitted that using Estonian e-services is still clumsy and difficult for people from different cultural background and a lot of work is ahead. The long-term vision is to reach 10 million e-residents in 10 years. (Postimees, page 13, October 12, 2015)
 

●日本のスタートアップにエストニア人CTO
CTO of Japanese start-up 16Lab, an Estonian IT specialst Tõnu Samuel, was presenting an innovative high-tech ring at the largest technology fair of Asia. The titan-ring Ozon is not ready yet, but is designed to allow controlling nearby electronic devices by hand gestures.  16Lab announced last week that it holds negotiations with Toyota and Yamaha for working out applications. Differently from the similar products of the competitors that are produced in China, 16Lab produces in Japan to the smallest details. (Äripäev, page 6-7, October 12, 2015)
 

●8月の日本人宿泊客，前年同月比2割増
According to Statistics Estonia, 394 000 tourists used the services of accommodation establishments in August 2015, which was 4% more than in August 2014. The number of both foreign and domestic tourists increased. Most foreign tourists arrived from Finland (39%), Germany (10%), Russia (8%), Latvia (7%) and Asian countries (4%). Compared to August of the previous year, 4% more tourists from Finland and 5% more tourists from Latvia stayed in accommodation establishments. The number of tourists arriving from Asian countries has increased in every month of 2015.  In August 2015, 2718 Japanese tourists stayed in Estonia, which is 20% more than in August 2014. (Äripäev, page 6, October 12, 2015)
 

●TransferWise社（国際送金）創業者，英国で表彰
TransferWise founders Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann were awarded as best entrepreneurs of the year in UK by Ernst & Young.  The jury noted the simple and novel approach to the habitual system. Käärmann noted that the award is a great achievement to the whole team and their customers currently save 22 million pounds every month on bank transfers, adding that they are only in the beginning of the journey towards an honest financial world. (Äripäev, page 6, October 12, 2015)

●IMF，エストニア経済を評価
The IMF mission to Estonia concluded that the economic and financial situation in Estonia is stable, business environment supports growth and public services are efficient. At the same time Estonia was indicated to benefit further from more relaxed fiscal policy in order to boost productivity. Head of the delegation Christoph Klingen said that IMF forecasts 2.9% economic growth for Estonia next year. IMF also finds that Estonia should keep salary raise under control until productivity level catches up proportionally. Other suggestions include wider use of female and foreign labor; higher retirement age (currently 65) and vocational education programs. (Postimees, page 8-9, October 20, 2015)
 

●IBM，エストニアとの協力に関心
IBM director general in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia David La Rose finds that Estonia is one of the leading countries in the world in IT development and IBM is extremely interested in collaboration with Estonia. (Postimees, page 9, October 20, 2015)
 

●海外からの会社経営を可能とする法改正
Estonian companies can soon be managed from abroad. Ministry of Justice is working on a legislation change that would disentangle the location of Estonian companies and their board members, which enables to manage Estonian companies fully from abroad. The goal of the change is to simplify business activities of e-residents. (Postimees, page 8, October 28, 2015)
 

●世銀ビジネスのしやすさランキング：16位　エストニア
According to Doing Business 2016 ranking of the World Bank, Estonia is at 16th position in terms of simplicity of doing business. Minister of finance Sven Sester noted that it is very good to see Estonia’s continuously high ranking, but there are several improvement possibilities. One current initiative is the so called zero-bureaucracy project, which collects the suggestions of entrepreneurs until December 1 to decrease administrative burden and simplify reporting obligations. (Äripäev, page 9, October 29, 2015)