Baltic a c a businss strategy 2017 2018 american presentation

Baltic American Community Alliance Business Plan and Strategy for 2017-2018 draft copy Introduction: During the occupation period of the Baltic States, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Baltic people were forced to flee their homeland, with many of them never to return again. Today, one of the primary issues facing the Baltic States is how to lure skilled and educated people back to the Baltic's. That will create additional value to the development of the Baltic States. According to the forecast of demographic development by the World Economic Global Competitiveness Report, the labor market will fall short by 5,000 people a year. Since regaining independence there has been a fragmented approach to encouraging and supporting foreign born Baltic people in returning to their ethnic homeland. Now that the Baltic States are experiencing a growing economy from I.T. Start up companies more focus should on encouraging and supporting foreign born Baltic people that can contribute to the work force. With the growth potential in the Baltic States, America should be more engaged in economic commerce and trade with the Baltic region.

Why Baltic A.C.A: Today's, current N.G.O.s that were created years ago are still focused on the Cold Wars years. Now that the Baltic States are NATO members and are full E.U. Members, it is time for a forward thinking mission that raises awareness of the Baltic Achievements targeting the Baltic Community in America.

As most organizations today are aimed at the Baltic people that had flee to America during occupation period. Since regaining independence there has been a steady decline in population in the Baltic States due to “brain drain� of young people seeking opportunities abroad. Now that the Baltic States are experiencing a growing start up business environment the mission today should be on the future development of the Baltic region in order to lure a skilled and educated work force back to the Baltic States.

As an N.G.O, based in Estonia, our objective is to work in co-operation and compliment the work of Baltic Organization based in America. By being based in Estonia we will be able to serve as resource and service provider to the Baltic Community in America. With a goal of stimulating tourism, economic investment and growth in the Baltic region.

After two extensive visits to Estonia, to assist a friend relocating from America to Estonia. We discovered a clear need for an organization to provide services aimed at Baltic people in America. As Baltic Americans are entitled to dual American / Estonian, Latvia or Lithuanian citizenship. There are unique challenges for foreign born Estonian / Americans to obtain the required documents to obtain Estonian citizenship. As well there is a need to provide free Estonian language programs open to foreign born Estonian migrants. It appears most of the programs and services that are currently in place are aimed at other ethnic migrant groups that have recently settled in Estonia.

Baltic ACA seeks to serve as a mentor for Baltic Americans interested in coming to the Baltic States for study, work, or other development opportunities.

In order to raise public awareness over the next two years of the “Baltic Achievements; Baltic A.C.A. will be hosting a number of programs and events leading up to the Baltic States celebrating 100

years of independence. These programs and events will be targeted towards to Baltic Community in America with the aim of increasing travel, and economic investment in the Baltic States. In marking this historic event in Baltic History it is a good time for America to show its support to our allies in the Baltic States.

Our Vision: To be the central resource and point of contact based in Estonia for the Baltic Communities in America in order educate and inform the America public of the economic opportunities in the Baltic region.

Mission: To serve as a forward thinking organization focused on the future development of the Baltic States aimed at America. Providing support to the Sons and Daughters of Baltic Ancestor to rediscover there homeland for study, work or investment opportunities.

In order to achieve this we will: • Work in co-operation with the business community, service providers and the local governments in the Baltic States to provide travel incentives and other services aimed at the Baltic Community in America.

• Work in co-operation with Estonian, Latvia and Lithuania societies in America and other targeted organization in the Baltic region.

• Engage with different representatives from America and the Baltic States of various target groups in our activities.

• Publish relevant information from the Baltic region of current events and news through social media and web-portal promoting economic development of Baltic States aimed at the Baltic Community in America.

Our first priority will be to launch an educational outreach campaign to highlight the Baltic States targeting America. In order to increase tourism and recruit American students to study in Baltic's, that could also help lure an educated work force back to the Baltic States. With the overall objective of increasing economic investment and growth in the Baltic region.

Impact Programs and Objective: •

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On-line Web Portal: Develop a start-of-the-art web portal that will unitize Estonia's smart I.D card reader; providing information targeting the Baltic Community Abroad. Providing practical up to date information on getting settled in the Baltic's with current news and events from the Baltic States. The web-site will serve as a central portal for the Baltic Community in America with links to local government services in Estonia serving as a network for new arrivals coming back to the Baltic region for travel, study or work opportunities.

“Back to Baltic” Membership Program: By working with local service providers we will be able to provide travel discounts on local accommodations, restaurants and transport. In addition Baltic A.C.A, will help organize Estonia Heritage and Culture Tours for families. Publishing travel information packets for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania The aim and objective of this program is to provide incentives and support for Baltic Americans in returning back to Baltic States.

Compatriots Program: This program is aimed at stimulating economic investment and cooperation between America and the Baltic business community, hosting conferences and trade

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shows in Tallinn Estonia. Baltic A.C.A. seeks to become the central point of contact in the Baltic States providing practical assistance with relocation needs and language programs for Baltic people abroad coming to the Baltic States.

Baltic America House: Our future plans include restoring an Estonian Manor House to service as “Home away for home” for Estonians Abroad, providing guest rooms, meeting space and a library for members and guests, much like the Estonia Houses that were established in America years ago.

Summary Statement: In light of Russia's current aggression towards the Baltic region, it is not only important for America to provide military support but to provide support through “soft diplomatic means” that will contribute towards the economic growth in the Baltic region. It is time for America to move past thinking of the Baltic region as some backwards “Post Communist State”. The Baltic region is now the new Europe, where state and society is fully democratic with a thriving private sector economy. With a low cost of living an educated work force and business friendly start up environment the Baltic region is ripe investment and economic growth.

Recently Estonia has transformed itself as a leader in E-Governance, Cyber defense and growing I.T. Sector; there are many opportunities for greater co-operation between America and Estonia. Whether it is business to business or Government to business, the solutions like the X-Roads and E-I.D. Card that has created fast interaction and access needed to make commerce work. With Estonia's E-Governance citizens and the new “E-Residency” one can conduct all business on-line with the security of Estonia's X-Roads technology. With Estonia advances in technology and cyber defense this is one of many areas where greater co-operation between America and Estonia is much needed.

One way to counter Russia's current asymmetrical war towards Europe, is to seek out more areas of co-operation and engagement between American and the Baltic States. Now is not the time for America to withdraw from our allies in the Baltic States, but to encourage more growth and investment the Baltic States. The Alliance between the Baltic States and America is a durable alliance, a win win situation for all involved. An Alliance that is built on deep trust and friendship with a commitment to democratic freedom. These are the core values that the Baltic America allies in built upon.

As we embark on launching Baltic A.C.A we would very much welcome your input and suggestions in achieving our mission and goals for the Baltic region. We are committed to becoming a forward thinking organization promoting the economic opportunities in the Baltic States aimed at the Baltic American Community abroad.

Hon. Meyer F. Marks Co-Founder C.E.O. Baltic American Community Alliance.

7728 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, Md. 20814 mmarks.gov@gmail.com PH. 202-378-4171

Andrew Isrealson Co-Founder, Estonia.

Baltic American Community Alliance.

Jakobi 25-5 Tallinn, Estonia, 10144