III Pärnumaa economic forum: infrastructure and energy investment as the foundation of county growth

The Pärnumaa economic forum has been looking to the future for the third year running, organised by the Pärnumaa Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the Pärnumaa Development Centre, the City of Pärnu and the Pärnu College of the University of Tartu. Earlier forums discussed the sustainability of the Pärnumaa economy in 2024 and the university town as a knowledge centre in 2025.

This year’s forum asks where Pärnumaa stands on Estonia’s future map: how will the national spatial plan “Estonia 2050”, the long-term document that sets Estonia’s spatial structure, use and development principles, and the national partnership programme 2028–2034, the central strategy document and funding plan on which the use of EU support is based, affect the county?

How can Pärnu work as a multimodal hub of railway, road, sea and air transport? What will energy, industry and business look like more broadly? What should be decided today and started tomorrow so that Pärnumaa is more competitive and visible by 2035, and how can it make a leap of scale, paradigm and identity over the next 15 years?

The forum is moderated by Mart Treier.

Programme

12:00–12:30 welcome coffee and registration

12:30–12:40 opening

12:40–14:10 Block I: “Pärnumaa’s success strategy: national planning and regional policy” – Veiko Sepp (University of Tartu Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies), “The national plan ‘Estonia 2050’ and Pärnumaa”; Sigrid Soomlais (deputy secretary general for regional development, Ministry of Regional and Agricultural Affairs), “The national plan 2028–2034 and Pärnumaa”. Panel with county development managers Kristjan Kullerkan and Siim Orav, together with Sigrid Soomlais and Veiko Sepp.

14:10–14:30 break

14:30–16:30 Block II: “Paths of fortune: land, water, air, power and other lines” – Kuldar Leis (Minister of Infrastructure), “Pärnumaa transport investments 2035”; Margo Külaots (business director, Greni Eesti), “Pärnumaa’s energy vision 2035”; Margus Kaasik (chair of the board, Elengeri), “Where is Pärnumaa’s bioenergy going?” Panel with Pärnu mayor Siim Suursild, Kuldar Leis, Margo Külaots and Margus Kaasik.

16:30–16:50 break

16:50–17:50 Block III: “Fortune in the community yard: planning permits, life sets the pace” – panel of Pärnumaa municipal leaders.

18:00–19:30 reception for the 5th anniversary of the Pärnumaa Chamber of Entrepreneurs, with music by the duo Indrek Palu (violin) and Leonora Palu (flute).

Time and place: 2 December 2026, 12:00, Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa, A. H. Tammsaare puiestee 6, Pärnu.