InfiBird Knowledge Base - Career, Work, Education, Business in Estonia

The sharp drop in world market oil prices due to tariffs imposed by the USA is not immediately noticeable in fuel prices at Estonian gas stations. Alexela's business development manager, Tarmo Kärsna, explains that this is due to the three-day average price calculation mechanism used by Estonian fuel sellers. This means that even with an immediate price decrease, the final price is still affected by the higher prices of the previous two days. In addition to the world market price and the three-day average, fuel prices are also influenced by the dollar exchange rate, refinery margins, logistics costs, the price of the biofuel component, and taxes , which make up a large part of the final price (60-65%). The retailer's margin, which is fixed in cents rather than percentages, is also important. Therefore, a simple direct correlation between the world market price and the pump price is not easily found. The majority (80%) of the fuel sold in Estonia comes from the Mažeikiai ref...

Delfi Ärileht addresses the issue where many people who have left the second pillar of the Estonian pension system want to start contributing again, but the current 10-year restriction prevents this . A survey conducted among Tuleva Funds AS members revealed that a significant portion of those who had withdrawn their funds consider this restriction unfair. The Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi proposed shortening the restriction period, and although it is not mentioned in the new government's coalition agreement, it is hoped that the proposal will be discussed during coalition negotiations. Currently, individuals who have withdrawn money from the second pillar can only rejoin after 10 years, but a reduction of this period to five years is being considered. According to a survey among Tuleva members who had withdrawn their funds, the majority support shortening the rejoining period, citing three main reasons. Firstly, people should have the freedom to decide what to do with their m...

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transitioning from a theoretical concept to a tangible force across various sectors, and education is no exception. The integration of AI in educational institutions presents a plethora of opportunities to enhance teaching, learning, and administration. However, this technological evolution is not without its risks and challenges that need careful consideration. Drawing upon insights from recent studies, this article explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of embracing AI in today's educational landscape. One of the primary opportunities AI offers is the personalization of learning experiences . AI-powered systems can analyze student performance and learning patterns to tailor content and pace to individual needs. This adaptive learning approach can potentially improve student outcomes and engagement by addressing specific learning gaps and providing customized support. Furthermore, AI can assist educators in creating more engaging ...

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic fantasy but a rapidly evolving reality poised to reshape industries and workplaces. From automating tasks to providing insightful analytics, the potential benefits of AI are immense. However, the path to seamless AI integration is fraught with obstacles that organizations must navigate carefully. Drawing on recent research, this article delves into the key hindrances that impede the widespread and effective adoption of AI. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of necessary digital competencies and skilled labor within organizations. As Gallardo-Gallardo and Collings (2021) note, technological changes are accelerating, rendering once-crucial skills obsolete and demanding new competencies for tomorrow's jobs. Shamim et al. (2016) further emphasize the scarcity of skilled labor for Industry 4.0, underscoring the critical need to understand and cultivate digital competencies. This skills gap affects not only the t...

The position of Secretary of State has been the easiest job to come by in my career, says Taimar Peterkop. When the then Prime Minister Jüri Ratas offered him the position, Peterkop had to ask his wife before giving an answer. Taimar Peterkop grew as a leader in the Ministry of Defence and led the Information System Authority before becoming Secretary of State. In the summer, Peterkop talked about his journey and experiences as a leader on the show "Leader Talks." Here are some interesting thoughts from that conversation. "I have been a top executive for the last 14 years and have seen the growing importance of people during this time. In my previous job, I led the Information System Authority, which has many IT people who are more educated, more intelligent, and have bigger egos than average. This showed how much focus needs to be on the individual to lead such people. The State Chancellery is also an organization with very dedicated and smart people. We need to value p...

  The Estonian egg producer Dava Foods, whose parent company is based in Denmark, managed to maintain almost the same revenue and profit as the previous year, despite competing with cheap eggs from foreign competitors. In 2024, the company earned a revenue of 11.8 million euros, which decreased by only 4% compared to the previous year. The profit remained at 1.08 million euros, the same as the previous year. Last year, Dava Foods invested over 2 million euros in establishing a farm for free-range hens. The company usually operates with 300,000 caged birds, but the new farm added 50,000 free-range hens. About 55% of the eggs sold in Estonia are produced locally, while the rest are imported from countries where egg production is cheaper, keeping the price of eggs in Estonia lower. Although Estonian egg producers are moving from caged hens to free-range hens, Dava Foods' CEO Allan Tohver explained that there is no point in increasing egg production in Estonia, as it is not profitable....

Strong Growth and Diversified Portfolio Attract Investors Ignitis Group, a leading energy company in the Baltics, stands out due to its strong growth story, diversified portfolio, and solid dividend policy. Listed on the Vilnius Stock Exchange, the company has doubled its adjusted EBITDA and increased its renewable energy portfolio fivefold since its IPO, while ensuring an attractive dividend yield. Aine Riffel-Grinkevičienė, Head of Investor Relations at Ignitis Group, explains the reasons behind the company's success and what investors can expect in the coming years. Strategic Focus on Renewable Energy and Grid Expansion Through long-term work and a well-thought-out strategy, Ignitis Group has built a strong competitive advantage. As a future-oriented energy producer, Ignitis places great emphasis on the rapid growth of its renewable energy portfolio and electricity grid. Currently, the Lithuanian energy giant has 1.4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, with plans to inc...