ERR News – The head of Enterprise Estonia, Ülari Alamets, who refused to resign upon the suggestion of the agency's supervisory board last week, has reconsidered and decided to step down.
The supervisory board was due to meet on Tuesday to discuss whether Alamets should be let go due to an agency mistake that may force 61 companies to repay a total of 10.5 million euros in EU aid.
“In order to achieve the best possible solution for the organization, I submit my proposal on November 12 to end the contract between myself and Enterprise Estonia, taking effect today," Alamets said in a statement.
The outgoing director worked in the agency for 10 years, taking the reins in 2007.
An audit conducted by the European Commission last year found that the government's entrepreneurship fund has for years broken a rule in handing out grants to businesses. According to that rule, companies do not qualify for aid if they have started work, e.g. bought equipment, before applying for the aid.
