Estonian Business Community Optimistic About Relations With Russia In 2001

The world has undergone a drastic change following the September 11 events in the USA against the background of which Russia's economic role will get increasingly more active, said the executive director of the Estonian association of major entrepreneurs. We must be prepared to do business with Russia, he said in a RIA Novosti interview. The businessman regretted the fact that 2001 was the year of expectations for Estonia and Russia, the countries which have huge potential for developing bilateral economic ties. Yet, the past months saw a certain boost in bilateral trade - Estonia's exports to Russia went up 1-2 percent, he noted. We hope the year 2002 will bring forth documents vital for Estonian and Russian entrepreneurs, particularly the ones dealing with protection of investment, and trade and other economic contacts, said the businessman.