Estonian Canadian Business Chamber launch creates buzz
- ellenvalter
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
Update # 251
A kick-off to remember: Estonian Canadian Business Chamber
The room had a buzz, as nearly 100 invited guests gathered for the long awaited launch of the Estonian Canadian Business Chamber (ECBC)—a new chapter in the growing economic partnership between Canada and Estonia.
Held at Tartu College which generously provided the space, next door to the future home of KESKUS International Estonian Centre—a multimillion project fuelled by community vision and set to become Estonia’s calling card in North America—the evening blended enthusiasm with a shared spirit of enterprise.
Nearly 100 invitees turned out to help launch the event. Assisting at the registration desk were Tiina Kai Paluoja, Joonas Roose, Liisbet Valter-Kalm
Ellen Valter, KESKUS project lead, opened the night with an energetic welcome, noting that launch of ECBC aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s mandate to cabinet, which focused on strengthening collaboration with reliable trading partners and allies around the world. Europe, after all, is Canada’s 2nd largest trading partner with some $162b in trade annually.
Ellen shared how this new business chamber was born out of real-world demand—a steady flow of Estonian-Canadian business inquiries sparked by KESKUS’s development and tendering processes made it clear: the time for a structured, focused forum to advance bilateral business interests was now.
Hon. Mario Kadastik, Hon. Doug Downey (top), E. Valter (bottom right)
Several special guests came to the event, including Estonia’s Ambassador to Canada Margus Rava, Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey, and a 10-member Estonian parliamentary delegation led by Hon. Mario Kadastik.
V. Tsianos (Neo Performance Materials), D. Riggs (Hopp), A. Saar (Northern Birch CU)
Speakers included those in the business sector, providing real world examples of the growing trade, commerce and investment between Canada and Estonia. From Vasileios Tsianos of Neo Performance Materials investment in rare earth mining facilities in Estonia, to David Riggs of HOPP (Estonia’s unicorn, Bolt, brand in Canada), and a video message from Andres Pärloja with Hepsor’s real estate investments in Canada. Each of these stories of investment brought the message home.
Anita Saar, CEO of Northern Birch Credit Union, the night’s generous sponsor, reminded everyone that the smart way to bank can also be the most community-driven.
Evening speakers (left) and together with Members of Estonian Parliament (right)
A lively social hour extended to a nearby restaurant with new acquaintances and connections made:
ECBC is now officially open for membership. A logo, website, joining EUCCAN, program development are scheduled for the summer with activity getting underway in the fall. Launch events in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax are on the horizon.
The message of the night? Estonia is open for business. Canada is open for business. Ontario is open for business. It’s up to us to take this forward.
Join the 45 new members who signed up on the spot at the launch event! Individual memberships $90, corporate memberships $300, further information on how to sign up here.
Photos: Tory Hutchings
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