BULGARIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Meeting of the coordinators of the АВС-DIHK Joint Partnership Project

On 1 and 2 February 2005 the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the yearly meeting of the national coordinators of the Joint Partnership Project between the Association of the Balkan Chambers - ABC and the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry – DIHK. Representatives of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Bulgaria were present, as well as the representative of the German economy in Serbia – Mr. Martin Knapp, who from April this year is going to be a director at the DIHK and the members of the Liaison Office of the Project.

The ABC-DIHK coordinators discussed the proposals of their Chambers for the upcoming activities – events and publications in 2005. Their ambitious plans include 37 activities. BCCI suggested organizing a seminar for companies – European Standards in February – March. Again in March a seminar of the Working Group ``Small and medium enterprises`` of the German-Bulgarian Council for cooperation.

During the exhibition Expoprint and Pack, 6 – 9 April, BCCI will organize a Conference for eco packing and eco design with the participation of Bulgarian and foreign companies and chamber representatives.

The biggest event, supported and organized by the Joint Project АВС-DIHK will take place on 2 – 3 November in Germany as a second Balkan Partenariat. It will consist of a forum and bilateral meetings between German and Balkan companies working in the following sectors: metal processing and metal products, wood processing including furniture, food stuff industry, auto parts, machine building and tool manufacturing.

The Project supports as a tradition some possibilities for education and training of the staff of the ABC Chambers.

BCCI plans to issue with the support of the Project the following printed materials: Catalogue of the Balkan Fairs and Exhibitions 2006 /yearly edition/, Foreign Investors` Guide /renovated edition/.

The ABC-DIHK coordinators met and exchanged experience with the Cooperation Project between the Handicraft Chamber of Koblenz and the SME Organization at the Balkans in the Danchova house in Plovdiv, a historical monument, renovated with the subsidy of the Project.

7 February 2005