President Karis: Exports and digital solutions underpin growth of Estonian and Portuguese economies

Opening a business forum this morning as part of his state visit to Portugal, President Alar Karis remarked on the similarities between the Estonian and Portuguese economies and the interest of both countries in boosting cooperation and European competitiveness. "The two of us have made similar strategic choices, and have a lot to learn from each other," he said.

The head of state noted that both countries have moulded their economic policies around a robust export sector. "For small, open economies like ours, exports form the basis of long-term growth," he stressed. "That means developing international services and IT, as well as bolstering goods exports and reinforcing value chains."

President Karis says that Estonia and Portugal are also linked by strong digital development and the start-up ecosystem. "Both of our countries are known for their digital economies and successful start-up culture," he pointed out. "Those efforts also support our wider objective of making Europe more of a player on an increasingly competitive global market." The head of state added that two Estonian unicorns are already to be found in Portugal: Pipedrive and Bolt, the latter of whose offices he will be visiting this afternoon.

President Karis showcased Estonia for the Portuguese partners attending the forum as a digitally advanced, business-friendly nation. "Our tax system is simple and transparent, and digital public services make it easy to start and run a business without even being in the country," he said, referring to the e-Residency programme currently being used by more than 1400 Portuguese citizens.

Speaking to the attendees, the head of state also touched on the role of education and AI in the future economy. "I have initiated the AI Leap programme in Estonian schools so as to make conscious and responsible use of AI to improve students' learning outcomes," he explained. "Of course, rapid developments in the tech sector mean opportunities for the economy as a whole. Estonian companies are already developing and implementing competitive high-tech solutions."

An agreement was signed today between the Portuguese Association of Environmental Technology Companies and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote the development of economic relations between the countries, while a representative of Tallinn University accompanying the head of state also signed a cooperation agreement with partner university ISEC Lisboa.

The 20-strong Estonian business delegation that attended the forum represent a wide range of sectors, from IT and electronics to business services, the timber industry and defence.

Gallery (Karli Saul/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCGJQj