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Doing business & staying in touch

In general, Estonia, and the country’s capital Tallinn in particular, is firmly embracing the European Union example of how business is conducted.

Dress code is relatively formal, with suit and tie expected for business meetings, although new technology-based industries have incorporated more casual attire. Handshakes are the normal way to start any meeting, and gifts are appreciated, especially luxury items. Prior appointments are necessary, it may take time to arrange a meeting and it is best to reconfirm before setting off. Business is conducted formally and business cards are exchanged after introduction. Successful meetings are often followed by drinks in a pub or lavish dinners at an Estonian restaurant.

Business hours are normally Monday to Friday 0900-1800.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1800.

Economy: 

The Estonian economy is widely seen as an excellent example of a transitional economy, providing its citizens with one of the best standards of living in the former Eastern bloc. Growth rates have been averaging over an extraordinary 10% per year. Estonia also has a thriving information technology sector, and trade with the West is strong. Unemployment is down to under 5%, and that figure is much lower in and around Tallinn.

Other than oil-shale, which is present in significant quantities and provides the basis of the country's power generation, Estonia has few raw materials of its own and relies mostly on imported commodities to produce finished goods. However, Estonia's infrastructure, particularly the road network, is well-developed by regional standards.

GDP: 

US$20.9 billion (2007).

Main exports: 

Machinery and equipment, metals, electricity, textiles and food products.

Main imports: 

Machinery and equipment, chemical products, textiles and food.

Main trading partners: 

Finland, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Staying in touch in Estonia

Telephone: 

Public telephones, which are plentiful, are operated by phonecards, available from kiosks.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Good coverage.

Internet: 

The Internet is key to Estonia's economic success. Public access is available at Internet cafes, post offices and libraries in main towns and cities. There is free Internet access at Tallinn Airport. Free wireless zones can be found all over the country, including in hundreds of places in Tallinn.

Post: 

Post to western Europe takes three to six days.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0730-2000, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 0900-1500 (hours may vary in rural areas).

Media: 

Estonia was ranked third worldwide by press freedom in 2007 by Reporters Without Borders. The post-independence years of the early 1990s saw a large increase in the production of newspapers, which has now fallen off as the market becomes more stable. Broadcasting also boomed, attracting several foreign players; the two main commercial TV stations are owned by Swedish and Norwegian companies. Cable TV is popular.

Press: 

• Privately-owned dailies include Postimees, Eesti Ekspress, Eesti Paevaleht and the business Aripaev, along with the evening tabloid SL Ohtuleht, and weekly Maaleht.
• Estoniya is published in Russian.

Television: 

• The public broadcaster is Eesti Televisioon, while TV3 and Kanal 2 are privately owned.

Radio: 

• The public station is Eesti Raadio, which operates four networks including flagship station Vikerraadio.
• Raadio Elmar and Kuku Radio are privately-owned stations.

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