BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

EESTI KROONI SÄRK

EESTI KROON võeti kasutusele Nõukogude Liidus kehtinud rubla asemel 1992 a. Üks kroon jagunes sajaks sendiks. Rahatähed kujundasid Urmas Ploomipuu ja Vladimir Taiger, kes võitsid vastava konkursi. Kupüüride esiküljel on kujutatud mõnda Eesti kultuuritegelast ning tagaküljel eestlastele olulist paika või sümbolit. Kuni 1994. a emiteeritud kupüüride mõõtmed on 140 × 70 mm, hilisemad olid millimeeter kitsamad. Kasutusel oli kaheksa nominaali: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 ja 500.
        Esimesed rahatähed trükiti 1991. a. Suurbritannia rahatrükikojas Thomas De La Rue and Company Ltd. Erinevatel aastatel väljaantud rahatähtede turvamärke ja kujundust on täiustatud, kuid üldine kujundus on jäänud samaks.
Eestis oli kroon kasutusel ka aastatel 1928 – 1940, mil see asendati rublaga. Seepärast oli 1992. a. Eesti krooni teine tulek.

ESTONIAN KROON (English: crown) was reintroduced as Estonia's currency in 1992, replacing the Soviet ruble. One kroon was subdivided into 100 cents. The banknotes were designed by Urmas Ploomipuu and Vladimir Taiger, who win public competition. On the front side of the banknotes are depicted famous people who have contributed most to Estonian culture. On the back side of notes one can see place or symbol important for Estonians. Until 1994 the size of banknotes was 140 x 70 mm and later 140 x 69 mm.

Jobless find support in city clubs

As Estonia still battles with an unemployment rate of over 15 percent, the capital is teeming with clubs for the unemployed to keep the jobless busy and provide much-needed encouragement.

The average club member is 45 years old and has been out of a job for 14 months. Fifty-four percent are women.

Every district in Tallinn has at least one club for the unemployed that offers training and access to free support and education events to hundreds.

Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar said 1,000 people attend the clubs and every fifth member has found a job.

The next big city-run job fair will take place on February 8 at Tallinn's Song Festival Grounds. The city will offer 200 public jobs, including cleaning on buses, snow-shoveling from tram rails, and park and cemetery management. Around 10 private companies will also be present at the event.

On January 25, Tallinn will open the doors of its new unemployment bureau, which will be in charge of finding people jobs. The city recently decided national unemployment services weren't sufficient to combat joblessness within its limits.

Decision to end bread making in Pärnu raises local ire

Workers who received pink slips from a bakery are up at arms over the company's decision to stop making bread in the town of Pärnu.

AS Pere Leib will wind up bread production in Pärnu on January 21 putting 56 employees out of a job and angering a swath of the community.  

The company, owned by Rein Kilk, will continue to make other baked and flour products.

ETV reported that for some, Kilk is a convenient culprit. Fingers are also pointed at mayor Toomas Kivimägi who, picketers charge, failed to take action for keeping the bread industry in Pärnu. 

But representatives of the city government, who showed up to meet with demonstrators on January 20, say their options are limited.

"What the city can do first and foremost is to be emotionally on the side of the people of Pärnu, but what we certainly can't do is to tell Kilk that he is not allowed to do what he wants with his business," said deputy mayor Jane Mets. 

The picketers will meet again on January 27 in front of the city council, which is expected to discuss a draft document that would provide some incentives for a bread producer in the city.

Estonian cycling the globe

Imagine taking a year-long adventure riding a bicycle around the world. One man, from Estonia, has taken on the challenge and stopped Thursday in Monroe.

Raimo Laosma began his trip Sept. 20 in his native country of Estonia, in northeastern Europe, and set off on a journey to see the world in 365 days.

Laosma, a cycling enthusiast, arrived at The Bike Source on Forsythe Avenue, around 3 p.m. He said there was no major reason he was taking the trip.

"It's just for fun," Laosma said, slightly out of breath after biking from Jackson, Miss.

Laosma said a knee operation in 2004 inspired the journey.

"About seven years ago, I made a promise to myself to take the trip, after my knee got better," Laosma said.

Laosma, who has been carrying traveling essentials, such as camping gear, was treated to a night in a room at The Atrium on Louisville Avenue. The room was compliments of the Twin City Cyclists, presided over by Doug Harvey.

"We heard about (Laosma's trip) Tuesday," Harvey said. "At one stop, in Washington (D.C.), he met a man (fellow Estonian and D.C. resident Madis Muller) who contacted us and asked if we could put him up for the night."

Laosma's trip began in Europe last September. Once he reached the western-most nation, Portugal, he took a plane to Boston and then traveled north. He rode through eastern Canada before re-entering the U.S.

After traveling south, down the eastern American seaboard, Laosma started heading west.

Zack Southwell

Population of Estonia was 1,340,100 in January 2011

According to Statistics Estonia, by preliminary data, five births less than deaths were registered in Estonia in 2010. By preliminary estimation, the population of Estonia was 1,340,100 on 1 January 2010.

15,842 births, i.e. 79 births more than in 2009, were registered in 2010. 15,847 deaths were registered i.e. 234 deaths less than in the previous year. 5,091 marriages were contracted and 2,994 marriages ended in divorce which is correspondingly 271 and 194 less than a year ago.

The number of deaths has been rapidly decreasing during the last three years, life expectancy has quickly increased and the number of the elderly among the population has risen. Balance of natural increase has been achieved due to that. The number of births has been relatively stable for four years already – total fertility rate that shows the average number of children per woman at childbearing age is a bit higher than 1.6.

This indicates that the current balance of natural increase does not ensure the persistence of Estonian population in a longer-term perspective. With a view to achieving the population reproduction level, the total fertility rate should be at least 2.1 or on average over 2 children per woman. To reach such a level, the number of births should continue growing.

Births, deaths and natural increase, 1990–2010

Statistics Estonia will publish the revised preliminary population number on 25 April. After that, final estimation can be given on the natural increase of Estonia.

Olympic entertainment falls after Swedbank cuts recommendation

Olympic Entertainment Group AS fell the most in five months in Tallinn trading after Swedbank AB cut is recommendation for the only listed casino operator in Eastern Europe to “reduce” from “accumulate”.

The stock fell as much as 5.6 percent, the biggest decline since Aug. 9. It traded 3.8 percent lower at 1.61 euros at 11:11 a.m. in Tallinn. Olympic has gained 7.7 percent this year, compared with a 3.9 percent average gain for its Eastern European consumer services peers.

Olympic’s stock price has risen 19 percent since Nov. 26 when the bank last updated its recommendation, Pertti Rahnel, head of Baltic Equity Research at Swedbank AB, said in an e- mailed note earlier today. Growth of Olympic’s online revenue was “considerably” weaker in the fourth quarter than expected, Rahnel said. Still, gaming revenue in Olympic’s key Baltic markets were in line with Swedbank’s expectations.

Ott Ummelas

New digital TV license to be issued

The Ministry of Culture has announced a call to public tender for a digital television activity license granted for an eight-year term. 

"We hope the competition will incite TV programming producers to bring new channels to the Estonian television landscape. The state has opened the door for this," said Minister of Culture Laine Jänes in the announcement.

The contract will be given to a provider of a diverse nationwide television service of at least 12 hours a day in the Estonian language. It must include culture, entertainment, news, youth and children's programming, games and documentaries and other programming, and an hour and a half of "new audiovisual work" produced with Estonian state support. 

Estonia currently has four free-of-charge TV channels - ETV, ETV2, Kanal2 and TV3. The deadline for applications is March 14.

Tallinn Capital of Culture 2011 rounds off January with a feast of real life for cinema goers

TALLINN - For the past decade it seems that audiences have increasingly looked for the opportunity to find their entertainment in real life. Aside from the multitude of reality shows that litter the televisual landscape the documentary form has become progressively more popular on the big screen.

From the crusading works of Michael Moore to the wonders of the natural world in the likes of “March of the Penguins” it seems that real life is also reel life. For 10 years the “Docpoint Festival” has given the citizens of Helsinki the chance to experience an eclectic mix of documentary features from across the world and, last year, brought the festival across the water for its Estonian cousins to enjoy.

As it gears up for its second year, the program for the second edition of the Estonian version of “Docpoint” shows that it’s increasingly becoming confident in presenting a carefully chosen selection of films that mixes social commentary with unashamed entertainment, difficult subject matters with raucous humor and established directors with upcoming filmmaking talents.

Indeed, contradiction is at the heart of the opening film “Cubaton” which follows a struggle between two Cuban residents. One sees Cuban music as an important expression of the culture and heritage of the country. The other sees it as a means to fame and fortune.

Just who will come out on top in this cultural struggle? Its examination of how music sits at the heart of a culture whilst encompassing ideals of both history and revolution will surely strike a chord with many Estonians and looks perfect for setting the stage for the rest of the festival.

Boy injured by falling icicle in Tartu and St. Petersburg man died in Tallinn

A third-grader on the way to school in Tartu was struck by a falling icicle. 

The accident occurred between 8:00 and 9:00 on January 19. The cause was failure to remove snow and ice from the ceiling, Tartu Postimees reported.

"The boy is under observation at the children's clinic and will remain hospitalized," said Tartu University Hospital spokesperson Kristi Tael, adding it was too early to give a prognosis.

A 29-year-old St. Petersburg man has died in Tallinn after being struck by a falling icicle in the Old Town district of the capital on January 9.

After a blow to the head, the man fell into coma and was in intensive care until he passed away on January 19.

Authorities began a criminal investigation on January 9, looking into the property owner's possible neglect to clean the rafters from ice.

More information about the danger of icicles can be found here.

Estonia joins interbank agreement on gold

The Bank of Estonia has confirmed that it is signing up on the 2009 joint statement on gold. 

The statement was released on August 7, 2009 to "clarify intentions" with respect to gold holdings.

The maximum annual sales and total sales will remain unchanged during the period affected by the agreement, at 400 metric tons and 2,000 metric tons, respectively.

 

The joint statement was signed by the European Central Bank and the central banks of Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland.

Assets increase for businesses, decrease for households in Estonia in Q3

In the third quarter of 2010, state assets of Estonia outweighed debt by 300 million euros, bringing net external debt down to 75.1% of gross domestic product (GDP).

In the private sector, assets grew by 58 million euros during that period. Business savings decreased in domestic banks, but receivables from other businesses and the foreign sector increased.

Household assets decreased by 17 million euros in the third quarter of 2010, resulting from shrinking savings. Compared to 2009, though, household assets grew by 6.7%. Demand for household loans is still low, and debt decreased by 95 million euros as a result.

Government sector assets grew in the third quarter thanks to seasonal boosts and better-than-expected tax receipts. Domestic savings and foreign stock investments grew by 266 million euros.

Juhan Tere

Estonian electrical grid is getting less reliable

There were 2.3 power outages per one household in Estonia in 2010 and thus the amount of power outages caused by malfunctions exceeds the EU average by far, LETA/Postimees reports.

The amount of power outages has not decreased over the years. Eesti Energia Jaotusvõrk (Eesti Energia Distribution Grid) does not keep it a secret that the reliability of the power grid has only deteriorated. There are places in Estonia like Voose village in Anija parish, Harjumaa, where the electrical malfunctions rate is several times higher than the Estonian average.

Eesti Energia Jaotusvõrk manager Tarmo Mere said that in order to stop the ageing of distribution grids, at least 95.9 million EUR a year should be invested, Just once, in the 2008/2009 business year, the company managed to invest around 102.3 mln EUR, while the investment has been much smaller earlier and later.

Mere said that the reason for the large amount of malfunctions is that at the end of 1980s and in 1990s, electrical grids were not renewed almost at all. Jaotusvõrk now channels all of its net profits to raising the reliability of the grids.

Jaotusvõrk has at present 60,000 km of electrical lines and 21,000 substations. “If we managed to renew every year 2.5% of the power grid, the current reliability of the grid would be preserved,” Mere said. “Actually we can renew around 1.6% and thus the reliability of the electrical grid is weakening.”

Juhan Tere

Judge discharged for unlicensed fishing and swearing

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves relieved a judge in Valga of his duties on January 14 due to conduct unbecoming of the position of a judge. 

Judge Aare Kaldma of the Tartu County Court had within the space of one year been cited for fishing without a license and directing foul language at officials. 

Kaldma himself had effectively petitioned the Supreme Court for his resignation, the decision signed by Ilves indicated.

Kaldma was reprimanded by the Supreme Court's disciplinary arm for the fishing violation in December 2009. 

Last June, he received a 15 percent cut in pay for haranguing a telephone operator with the State Legal Assistance Information System and using the word kurat (damn or devil) on two occasions. He had reportedly had a history of such behavior.

Estonian airports were used by 1.4 mln passengers in 2010

According to the statistics of the Estonian Aviation Board, the number of passengers who used Estonian Airports grew in 2010 while cargo volumes dropped by a half, LETA/National Broadcasting reports.

Estonian airports were used last year by 1,449,037 passengers, by 55,409 more than in 2009. Tallinn Airport serviced 1.38 million passengers, Tartu Airport 23,504, Kuressaare Airport 19,702, Kärdla Airport 10,551, Pärnu Airport 5,184, Ruhnu Airport 3,086 and Kihnu Airport 2,215 passengers, writes LETA.

Estonian airports handled last year 11,145 tonnes of cargo versus 20,198 tonnes in 2009. Tallinn Airport handled 10,972 tonnes of the cargo.

Mail deliveries via airports totalled 996.4 tonnes, of which 987 tonnes via Tallinn airport. In 2009 the mail volume was 940 tonnes.

Estonian national carrier Estonian Air carried altogether 582,320 passengers in 2010, 533,001 of these on regular flights, the company announced on Tuesday.

Estonian Air carried from Tallinn 490,116 passengers.

Estonian Air considers launching a helicopter line

The supevisory board of Estonian Air has asked the airline's management to analyze the feasibility of setting up a regular helicopter service between Tallinn and Helsinki.

“Development of the helicopter line has been discussed among the council members many times. Convenient and fast air connections from Tallinn are the priorities for the airline and the helicopter line could support also our eastward transit traffic,” said Andrus Aljas, Estonian Air’s President and CEO.

“Estonian Air is currently assessing many possibilities to widen its network and for offering better customer service,” added Aljas.

Toomas Hõbemägi

Estonia must not fear Russian capital

Businessman Jaan Toots who was last week approved as the prime ministerial candidate of People's Union says that Estonia should not be afraid of Russian capital, writes aripaev.ee.

According to Toots, he cannot understand why Russian capital is worse than the capital that comes from Poland or Czech Republic. "Russia is a relatively large country and its capital is present in Europe."

He said that Russians who own oil businesses that supply oil from Russian refineries to the oil terminals in the Port of Muuga and keep the Estonian transit trade sector alive do not live in Russia any more. "They have Russian background, but the live in Norway, UK or Switzerland. It is therefore hard to say what is the origin of the capital since it is international."

Toots added that since it is no longer Russian capital, why should Estonians be afraid of it. "There are euros that are used in consumption. Only part of it remains in Estonia and, apart from investments in port infrastructure, no Russian billionaire has invested in Estonia yet."

"Russian money does not play a significant part in the Estonian economy, although it does in the oil transit trade sector. This is a byproduct that runs through Estonia. This capital will remain here in the form of wages, social taxes and in consumption," said Toots.

Toomas Hõbemägi

Borrow money now for your own sake

The old saying goes: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". When in the euro area, and Estonia is since January 1, 2011, that country does not have to behave as the average euro area country (in fact, given the high debt, exploding deficits, inflexible economies and what not in many other euro area countries, please do not!), but in one aspect Estonia would probably be better off if it did mimic its new peers. Estonia has virtually no national debt. Indeed, the small Baltic state has hardly issued any government bonds at all. Although that is something to be proud of, in a way it is hurting its welfare at the same time.

That welfare could be improved, as for example the unemployment is almost 20%. Reducing that by just a quarter would do wonders for Estonias well-being, Edin Mujagic, a monetary economist at the ECR Euro Currency Research in Utrecht, The Netherlands and at Tilburg University, writes in EU Observer column.

Estonia needs stable and high economic growth to increase the welfare of Estonians. To achieve that, it, as any other country, will need to invest in better infrastructure and education and create an environment where entrepreneurship thrives. This needs to be done as for example the country is faced with significant brain drain due to stubbornly high unemployment, informs LETA.

Those investments require money. Money Estonia does not have but could get hold of very easily and, that is my main point, very cheap. In fact, given its ultra sound public finances, Estonia could even get paid to borrow, or borrow for free at the very least.

Look at the recent example of the Netherlands, one of those financially sound euro area countries, although Estonia might not see it that way, given the Dutch national debt of approximately 65% of its GDP and budget deficit of quite a few percent of that GDP. Recently, that country borrowed money for a period of three years paying just 1% interest rate.

Leaking water pipe forces emergency landing for Estonian air flight

A Boeing 737 servicing an Estonian Air flight from Tallinn to Copenhagen on January 16, turned back to Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport shortly after takeoff.

Prompting the emergency landing was a leak in a drinking water pipe, which caused a malfunction in the plane's electrical system, the airline's spokeswoman, Ilona Eskelinen told uudised.err.ee.

The plane landed without incident, and passengers were delivered to Copenhagen with another flight in the afternoon.

The aircraft was submitted for a technical checkup.

Estonian-French relations good at all levels

Tallinn – Prime Minister Andrus Ansip today met Pierre Lellouche, the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade under the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, to discuss cooperation between the two countries in various fields as well as issues related to European Union trade policy.

At the meeting, the officials said Estonian-French relations were good at all levels, with bilateral economic relations seeing stable development.

“Estonia and France have undoubtedly managed put the economic crisis to positive use in their own interests, turning it into an opportunity,” said Ansip. He added that the crisis has also made Estonian entrepreneurs look to more distant markets, including France

Ansip noted that the growth in investments has raised France’s visibility in the eyes of Estonians. The Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the changeover to the euro will bring even more investment to Estonia.

Discussing European Union trade policy, Ansip said that the new trade strategy should be more aimed at general liberalization of trade and less to protecting countries’ own markets.

“It is important that countries begin to lift the additional protective measures established on trade and investments during the crisis, as continuing to open markets for both goods and services will assist the recovery of economic growth,” said Ansip.

Estonia bids goodbye to the kroon

As the second week of January wound to its end, so did the contemporary history of the Estonian kroon, the currency that the country re-introduced in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

On January 1, Estonia became the 17th country to adopt the euro, which will be the only legal tender in the country starting January 15.

The changeover has been smooth, according to reports. The amount of euro in circulation overtook that of kroon on January 10 and on January 13, 84 per cent of the cash transactions were denominated in euro and 99 per cent of consumers received euro as change, which showed that the retail sector had been properly supplied with euro cash, the European Commission said.

By the end of January 13, about 70 per cent of Estonians had only euro banknotes in their wallets, whereas 22 per cent still carried some kroon banknotes.

As the second week of January progressed, the ATM withdrawals and cash exchanges in banks and post offices had been slowing down a sign that the peak of the cash changeover is over, the EC said.