Ilves returns 10 pct of support to Enterprise Estonia

Photo: Elmo Riig

Enterprise Estonia (EAS) has claimed back 19,039 euros from the company Ermamaa following a written notice from its owner Toomas Hendrik Ilves about the company not continuing the provision of tourism services at Arma farm, which received 190,392 euros in support via EAS in 2006.

Ilves has paid back the required amount, EAS said.

Ilves informed EAS in writing about his wish not to use the farm developed with the help of EAS support for its intended purpose after Jan. 1, 2017. EAS filed the claim on the basis of a decision of its management board from March 30, 2012 to partially reclaim the subsidy. In the said decision it had been taken into consideration that the Arma farm belonging to OU Ermamaa has paid host to numerous foreign guests and unofficial guests during the tenure of Ilves as president.

«Our claim was based on the decision of the management board of EAS made earlier and took account of the reasons why the use of the Arma farm as a tourist facility was restricted in 2007-2016,» EAS Board Chairman Hanno Tomberg said.

OU Ermamaa received 190,392 euros from EU structural funds via EAS in 2006 to develop the Arma farm. The owner and official representative of OU Ermamaa, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, notified EAS on Oct. 10 of his intention to not continue observing the business plan of Ermamaa. He paid back the required amount of money on Wednesday.