OREANDA-NEWS. August 17, 2009. “The people of Saaremaa are used to getting by themselves, acquired or learned helplessness is not a problem here,” President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said on his visit to Saaremaa, reported the Official website president.ee.

The Head of State said that the words of Enn Meri, the majority owner of OU Merinvest operating near Kuressaare, “are one of Estonia’s first green sprouts”. Enn Meri said that the general economic climate in foreign markets is slowly starting to improve, which also means increased orders for local partners.

Merinvest, which products rubber gaskets and membranes for the European auto industry, was operated with shortened working hours during the first half of the year, but is now back to full power. According to Enn Meri, they will soon have to hire additional workers. The company, which was founded 13 years ago, today employs 211 people.

“The prerequisites for Estonian businesses to be competitive are stable quality, efficiency, reliability, and flexibility,” President Ilves acknowledged. “The price of products is naturally an important factor, but not the most important one, as demonstrated by the success of Merinvest.”

The Head of State acknowledged the leadership of Merinevest for paying their workers who are mothers an additional 500 EEK per month until the child’s third birthday, and who during the economic decline made every effort to avoid dismissing workers.

“Companies that care about the welfare of its workers will be able to cope also during difficult times,” said President Ilves.

Today the Head of State, along with Evelin Ilves, will visit Vilsandi and Abruka Islands. Tomorrow in Kuressaare, they will present the awards for this year’s Estonia's most beautiful homes.