Gallery

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016 members of the Danish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce were invited to enjoy a dinner-meeting with H. E. Märt Volmer, Estonian Ambassador to Denmark. We discussed topics such as embassy’s support and role for the enterprises, Estonian Week in Denmark May 2016, future activities between Estonia and Denmark.

It was confirmed by the ambassador Märt Volmer that all companies that are serious with their requests (having done their homework, asking specific questions) get extra attention from the embassy. The embassy in Denmark is small and consists of only a few persons. Fortunately enough, the embassy is blessed to have a the Enterprise Estonia’s export consultant who’s helping out with business requests. Lucie Neoralova, the export consultant for the Estonian companies is normally the person who replies to the business-related requests arriving both from Estonia and Denmark. She also comes to Estonia once a quarter at least, which makes it possible also to meet up with her or to invite her to visit your company.

Recently the embassy has been busy with the Estonian Week in Denmark project which is a joint initiative with the Danish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Estonia and our partners in Vordingborg. Vordingborg is a municipality compared to Viimsi or Keila in our terms: close to the capital city, with huge impact to the Copenhagen’s trade and employment with much more reasonable terms for new businesses that want to start up or want to make a market entry. There’s more information about the Estonian Week in Denmark on the special website http://estonianweekindenmark.decc.ee/ . Ambassador felt convinced that the event in Vordingborg would be most efficient and profitable for the Estonian companies to participate in.

It was also discussed that perhaps the chamber should once in a while also organize some events or gatherings in Denmark. Märt Volmer was very open and welcoming. He confirmed that the embassy’s doors are open for chambers events in Copenhagen.

Further discussion took place regarding the perceptions that Danes have towards Estonians. Local, experienced Danes pointed out the following about Estonians:

-       Estonians have a fear to commitment; they don’t want to over-promise. Estonians want to be 100% certain on what is being said. Therefore often their saying are like statements. No chit-chat.

-       There can be times when Estonians increase price for the foreign customer without any further reasoning.

-       Estonians can lack efficiency in sales and the sales mentality.

-       Danes expect openness, clear communication. Estonians sometimes get stuck in there due to their fear of commitment. Especially in the case of smaller producers.

The future of the Estonian-Danish relations in the coming years is foreseen to be accelerating due to the Danish Flag celebrating it’s 800^th anniversary in 2019. According to a legend, the flag came into Danish possession during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219 in Estonia. We also can celebrate this year since it is 25 years since re-establishing relations between the two countries.

The evening was friendly, sociable, relaxed and very open. People had the possibility to chat from soul-to-soul. It was an excellent way to get to know the ambassador closer and for sure also for the ambassador to learn more about the Danish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce activities and members.

Many thanks to the ambassador Märt Volmer for finding the time to meet us and for the participants for their active involvement!

Till new meetings!

Merli Lindberg

Chamber Manager