Estonia moves in Silicon Valley

 SAN JOSE 's Estonia took another step forward in its path to hi-tech superstardom onNov. 30 when Prime Minister Andrus Ansip opened a new office in California'sfamous Silicon Valley.

The new Enterprise Estonia bureau will promote the country's technological credentials andwill attempt to lure U.S. investors to put their money into Estonia.

The manager of the representation, Andrus Viirg, said thatthe aim of the office is to help Estonian technology companies andacademic citizens find contacts in the United States.

On the last day of his visit to the United States, Ansip also visited the office's new neighbors, technology companyCisco Systems.

During a meeting with the mayor of San Jose, ChuckReed, matters related to the creation of an innovative business environmentwere discussed.

Enterprise Estonia is one of the largest institutions within the national supportsystem for entrepreneurship in Estonia, providing financing products, advice, partnership opportunitiesand training for entrepreneurs, research and development institutions and thepublic and third sectors.

Enterprise Estonia's efforts are directed toward boosting the competitiveness of Estonianenterprises in foreign markets, promoting foreign investments in Estonia along with the use of new technologies, innovative products andservices.

During his U.S.sojourn, ansip also won an important assurance from Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice that Estonians will definitely be able to travelvisa-free to the United States soon.

Rice said political decisions have been made and technicalsolutions are in hand. Estonian preparations are up to the mark andallow for fast progress, she added.

Rice also thanked Estonian troops for theircommitment to U.S.-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.