Riigikogu deliberated activities of Estonian Development Fund
Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Development Fund Ott Pärna gave the Riigikogu an overview of the activities of the Estonian Development Fund (hereinafter Development Fund). The Development Fund was established by an Act at the end of 2006, with the aim of initiating and supporting the changes in the Estonian economy and society, which help update the economic structure, ensure the growth of export and create new jobs that require high qualification. The activity report covered the main activities and achievements of the organisation in 2007. In the words of the reporter, 2007 was the year of launching of the Development Fund when the organisation was built up, the focus of the main activities was defined and activities were launched. The major organisational activities, development monitoring activities as well as activities relating to investments were listed in the report. The report also touched upon the future of the Development Fund. Pärna: “We have set as a clear focus to outline the vision of the upcoming period of the Estonian economy, that is, economic growth in the next ten years. What are prospective sources of economic growth for Estonia in the next period; where do we want Estonia essentially to be in ten years, that is, what are the sectors in which our enterprises will succeed in the world after ten years and what do we have to do today in the perspective of three or five years in order to actually realise these opportunities.”
Members of the Riigikogu asked the presenter of the report many questions. Comments were presented by Members of the Riigikogu Jürgen Ligi, Marek Strandberg, Ester Tuiksoo and Jüri Tamm.
The Riigikogu appointed with 52 votes in favour by secret ballot Nele Parrest, Adviser/Head of the Third Department of the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, to the office of Deputy Chancellor of Justice-Adviser instead of Aare Reenumägi who was working in that office before. 13 Members of the Riigikogu voted against the Resolution and 3 Members of the Riigikogu abstained.
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act (293 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Reform Party Faction, the Estonian Green Party Faction, the Estonian People’s Union Faction, the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction and the Social Democratic Party Faction, was concluded. The main content of the Bill is amending of the procedure for participation of members of the Government in Question Time of the Riigikogu and creating the possibility for factions of the Riigikogu to initiate deliberation of a matter of significant national importance. The Bill was sent to the second reading.
Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting of the plenary assembly, the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act (279 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Peeter Kreitzberg, Sven Mikser, Igor Gräzin, Mark Soosaar, Lauri Vahtre and Marek Strandberg, was adjourned. The deliberation will be resumed tomorrow, at the sitting beginning at 2 p.m.
Annex: See the verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
The Riigikogu Press Service