Postimees Digest, Wednesday, May 31
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Shadow economy cost the state 229 million euros.
The Estonian Institute of Economic Research estimates that payment under the table and alcohol and cigarettes black market cost the state a total of 228.6 million euros in 2012. Payment under the table accounted for 146 million euros in lost tax revenue. Head of the institute, Marje Josing, said that 12 percent of people questioned admitted being paid under the table. Deputy director of the Tax and Customs Board Egon Veeremäe said that the agency puts missed tax revenue at 450 million euros with VAT receipt standing out as the biggest problem.
President calls for a more forceful BA.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said during his Lithuania visit that the success and attractiveness of the Baltic countries could be boosted by having the Baltic Assembly graduate from writing declarations to making actual efforts in seeing joint projects of the three countries realized faster. Ilves' examples included joint energy security, the Rail Baltic project, foreign and defense policy and the fight against illegal immigration. The president proposed that instead of simply sending 12-20 delegates to BA meetings, Baltic parliaments could put together special BA committees that could then take proposals to governments. Estonian delegates to the BA agree in that reforms are needed but say that the complicated nature of the assembly requires more thorough deliberation.