Strategies of Estonian Development Fund were discussed in Riigikogu
The Riigikogu passed with 83 votes in favour the Resolution on amendment of the Resolution on formation of the State Budget Control Select Committee (217 OE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction. According to the Resolution, Tarmo Tamm was appointed a member and Olga Sõtnik was appointed an alternate member of the State Budget Control Select Committee, and the alternate member Lembit Kaljuvee is excluded from the membership of the committee. Six Members of the Riigikogu abstained.
The Riigikogu passed with 88 votes in favour the Resolution on amendment of the Resolution on formation of the Select Committee on the Application of the Anti-corruption Act (238 OE), initiated by the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction. According to the Resolution, Peeter Laurson was appointed a member and Andres Jalak was appointed an alternate member of the Select Committee on the Application of the Anti-corruption Act. The change was necessary because Andrus Saare left the Riigikogu. One member of the Riigikogu abstained.
The Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Development Fund Tõnis Arro gave the Riigikogu an overview of the activities of the Estonian Development Fund in 2011 and 2012 and of the new strategy of the Development Fund. Arro said that, according to law, the mission of the Development Fund is to contribute to the development of the Estonian economy, including to generation of jobs with a high added value, generation of innovative enterprises, positive changes and growth of entrepreneurship in the society. Consequently, they operate mainly in two areas of activity – monitoring and growth programmes and investment activity. They invest with the aim of stimulating the market and overcoming market barriers. The Estonian Venture Capital Association (Est VCA) and Finance Estonia which have been launched with co-participation of the Development Fund act as measures of stimulation and development of the market. Arro also touched upon the principles of investment and brought examples of enterprises which had achieved success with the help of the Development Fund. In Arro’s opinion, for facilitating entrepreneurial initiatives, a growth programme “Enterprising Estonia” should be launched with three main components of a “tiger leap” of entrepreneurship, a business trainers programme and monitoring and information activities involving entrepreneurship on a wider scale. Its aim should be to activate the people who are interested, even a little, in entrepreneurship in Estonia.
Comments were presented by Members of the Riigikogu Tõnis Palts, Jaan Õunapuu, Aivar Riisalu and Kaja Kallas.
For more details, read the verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian):
The Riigikogu Press Service