Minister of IT of Macedonia visited Ülemiste City to discuss co-operation, he sees possibilities to utilize Estonian ideas in Macedonia.

„The concept of Ülemiste City is inspiring, it´s something we can also use in our business environment," said minister of information society Ivo Ivanovski. Minister has looked towards Asian countries for co-operation but is pleasantly surprised to find an example from Estonia. „We are developing similar environment in Macedonia, bearing in mind our economical development we are offering benefits to start business. Estonia definitely sets a dynamical example," said minister.

Gunnar Kobin, chief executive officer of Ülemiste City welcomes the co-operation. „The concept of Smart Business City enables the knowledge-based economy to grow and that is something we would like to implement internationally. Macedonia is definitely suitable for its current development, the economical environment is similar to what we had in Estonia eight years ago," gave Kobin an overview of business possibilities.

This was the second visit for the minister, he visited Estonia in January 2007 with the prime minister of Macedonia. Minister has been wanting to come back ever since to collect and change ideas on putting together a profitable business environment. Minister visited different buildings in Ülemiste City, also exchanged ideas of co-operation. Friday´s visit ended with an invitation to visit Macedonia and discuss further co-operation options. Ivo Ivanovski, the IT minister of Macedonia was invited to Estonia by the Academia of eState.  

AS Ülemiste City is the Smart Business City that is being established near Tallinn Airport.  There will be several hundred square meters of office space and high-tech factories in the business park. The software development company Webmedia and Mainor Business School moved to Ülemiste City in the autumn of 2006. The ML Arvutid factory construction was completed in the autumn of 2007, in November Estonia´s biggest restaurant street Mercado in the heart of the business park welcomed its first customers. . In January of 2008, the IT companies Helmes and Fontes moved to Ülemiste City and the building of the largest Baltic IT company, Microlink, will be completed in spring of the same year.

Further information:

Gunnar Kobin

Chairman of the Board of AS Ülemiste City

gunnar@ulemistecity.ee

Liisa-Indra Kärt

Public Relations Manager

indra@ulemistecity.ee

+372 55 27 367