Fall in General Government’s debt level lasts

According to preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, the Estonian general government sector surplus in 2007 was 2.8% and consolidated gross debt level was 3.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As in previous years, the general government gross debt level continued to fall last year.

In 2007, the total revenues of the general government sector consolidated budget [...]

In February the retail sales slightly increased

According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2008 compared to February of the previous year the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises grew 4% in constant prices. The growth of retail sales that had stopped in January showed a slight increase in February.

In February, the retail sales of goods of retail trade enterprises were [...]

Gap between salaries too big

Analyst Kulno Türk believes that the current system where the highest-earning executive of a state enterprise makes 140,000 kroons a month and the Prime Minister earns 70,000 kroons is illogical.
Türk told Postimees that the gap between top executives of state enterprises and top politicians should be lower. For instance, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves is making [...]

In January the foreign trade deficit decreased

According to Statistics Estonia, in January 2008 the exports of goods increased and the imports decreased. The trade deficit was the lowest during the last 12 months.

In January 2008 the exports was 10.1 billion kroons and the imports was 13.2 billion kroons. Compared to January of the previous year, the value of exports rose 4% [...]

Volume of Estonian Security Market Over 2 Billion in 2007

The aggregate volume of the security services market in Estonia amounted to 2.1 billion kroons in 2007.
The turnover of guarding services accounted for 0.9 billion kroons of the total. Installation and maintenance of security equipment contributed 0.6 billion kroons, the industry body said.
The turnover from other security services, including transportation of money and valuables, consultations, [...]

Estonian Investment Bank Gild Bankers Triples Profit in 2007

The investment bank Gild Bankers made a net profit of around 81 million kroons last year, more than tripling the 2006 result.
Consolidated net income from service fees amounted to 134 million kroons, compared to 60 million kroons a year ago, a representative of the bank said.
Last year was the most successful in the company’s history, [...]

Transport of goods by rail decreased considerably

According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2007 the usage of services of passenger transport enterprises remained on the same level compared to 2006. The carriage of goods by road transport enterprises increased and by rail decreased compared to the previous year.

In 2007, the number of passengers carried by Estonian transport enterprises was [...]

Stoneridge to Build Factory Outside Tallinn

Stoneridge Electronics AS, builder of electronic components for the automobile industry will build a factory in the Tänassilma technical park in the Saue rural community outside Tallinn, providing jobs for 260 people, 60 of them new workers.
According to plans the new facility will be completed in August; at present it operates in the Järve area [...]

Producer price indices in February

According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2008 the percentage change in the producer price index was 0.7% compared to January 2008 and 8.3% compared to February 2007.

In February compared to January 2008 the producer price index was mainly influenced by the increase in prices in the energy supply and in the manufacture of textile and [...]

In January the number of accommodated tourists was small

According to Statistics Estonia, in January 119,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments of Estonia, which is 2% more than in the same period of the previous year. The attendance of accommodation establishments was low, because less than one third of rooms were occupied.

In January, characteristic of the beginning of the year, Estonian residents (52% of [...]