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Bulgaria – Korea Business Forum was held on 14th December 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel Balkan, Sofia. The event was organized jointly by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Representative Office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Sofia. The occasion for the event was a visit to Bulgaria by Korean companies operating in the spheres of: recording and reproducing devices, mechanical engineering, construction...
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Business news
December
The President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov met with Mr. Ivan Neikov from the Balkan Institute for Labour and Social Policy. The occasion for the meeting was the discrepancy between the state educational requirements and the professional standards for skills and qualifications needed by the employers. This has to do with the acute problem of the competitiveness of Bulgarian workers. In order for the Bulgarian labour force to meet the...
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BCCI President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov met with MEP Mr. Ivaylo Kalfin – former Minister of Foreign Affairs, in order to discuss the matter of Bulgaria’s European integration, with an emphasis on the absorption of EU funds, which was evaluated as still unsatisfactory. All additional measures taken to improve the access to EU funding and the absorption of EU funds were considered. During the meeting, the work of Bulgarian parliamentarists was discussed, and more precisely the...
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At an official ceremony, held on 7th December at the Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the winners of its Annual Awards. Members of the cabinet, representatives of the diplomatic corps and the business circles as well as the media attended the event. This tradition dates back to 1994. The significance of the Awards, which BCCI presented for the 16th consecutive year, is due to the participation in the selection of 4 000 of the most active...
Full textNovember
The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has founded a Bulgarian-Saudi Arabia Business Council as part of its structures. The initiative includes over 40 Bulgarian companies from various sectors – construction, transport, real estate, legal services, retail trade, producers of radar systems, tire manufacturers, organic oils and herbs. The founding assembly elected a board of the Bulgarian-Saudi Business Council consisting of 5 members. Nikolay Filipov, the author of the initiative...
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On 25 November 2010, BCCI President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov had a meeting with the World Bank Mission. The representatives of the world organisation visited Bulgaria on the occasion of a joint seminar of the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and the World Bank, on the subject of “Better Regulation for Higher Growth”, which took place on 23 November 2010. During the event, conclusions and suggestions of World Bank reports in the field of the regulatory reform were...
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On 24 November 2010 a Bulgarian-Saudi Arabian Business Council (BSABC) was established with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Over 40 Bulgarian companies from various sectors of industry (in the field of trade and manufacture of organic oils and herbs, radar systems, tyres, decorative plants, construction and building equipment, transport, real property, legal services, trade centers, etc.) took part in the initiative. The founding assembly elected a board of the BSABC...
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The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has assumed the chairmanship of the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) of commerce. The BCCI will chair the ABC in 2011. The chairman of the BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov took over at the ABC meeting in Sarajevo on November 4, 2010. He has outlined the improvement of the regional business environment and the cooperation with similar regional business associations as priorities for the BCCI presidency. Under the BCCI, the Association of Balkan Chambers...
Full textOctober
Vietnam's Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has expressed her country's gratitude for Bulgaria during a state visit to Sofia. Nguyen Thi Doan, who is herself a graduate of a Bulgarian university, has made it clear that Vietnam is thankful to Bulgaria for providing education to thousands of Vietnamese specialists. The number of Vietnamese who received their degrees in Bulgaria is estimated at about 30 000. They attended Bulgarian universities back in the communist period when the Socialist Republic...
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The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has announced the organizing of a Bulgarian business delegation to the USA. The delegation is expected to go to the US in the second or third week of November 2010. The Bulgarian businessmen will be on a week-long visit to Cleveland, OH, and one more destination in the US to be selected from Chicago, IL, or Washington, DC. The delegation is organized as part of the partnership between the BCCI and the Greater Cleveland Partnership, which was...
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“The employers will return to the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation only if the negotiations for the pension contributions start afresh”, announced Tsvetan Simeonov- President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An express BCCI survey showed that 96% of employers reject the intention of the government for increasing the social security contributions. Simeonov is against the raising of social security regardless whether it will be by 3%, as was at first...
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Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Increasing the pension contributions by 3% is an inappropriate measure, which will not lead to the expected result, as it was optimistically announced by the management of the National Social Security Institute. This is an extremely uncalculated move, especially considering that we have just recently realized economic growth since the beginning of the crisis. Launching such measures will discourage also...
Full textTsvetan Simeonov: The increase of social security contributions will increase the grey economy
- 06-10-2010
A step backwards, which will increase grey economy – this is how Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President, commented in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio on the intention of the government to raise social security contributions with 3%. "Тhis will be a serious step backwards. It makes pointless not only our efforts, but the efforts of the government as well to make the environment more attractive. The grey sector will increase, but what is regretful is that such decisions...
Full textSeptember
July
Brussels, 15 July 2010 October 2010: European Parliament of Enterprises 751 businesses take over the European Parliament Following the success of the first edition in 2008, a second edition of the “European Parliament of Enterprises” (EPE) will take place on 14 October. 751 entrepreneurs of all sizes and sectors and coming from the 27 EU Member States will gather in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels to debate and vote on specific business-related issues. 24...
Full textMay
A seminar to present good practices and border measures to protect the intellectual property in the commodity exchange between Bulgaria and China took place at the BCCI. The lecturers Simon Cheetam and Kristine Yo from the Technical Assistance Bureau for Protection of Intellectual Property in Beijing - China , funded by the EU, presented before the specialized participants available techniques for protection of world and regional trademarks on the territory of China. In order to protect a...
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The BCCI played host to the 39th Meeting of the Board of Directors of BSEC Business Council which took place on BCCI’s premises within Bulgaria’s rotational presidency of BSEC (1 November 2009 to 31 May 2010). The session was attended by the General Secretary of the Council – Mrs. Eftihia Bacopoulou, representatives of business organisations from the 12 BSEC member-countries as well as UNDP and UNIDO employees. The BCCI President, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov presented a report on the...
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Mrs. Hristina Mitreva, Manager of the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) and Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the BCCI, met at the BCCI to discuss a reduction in business expenses attending to social and security payments by introducing an uniform payment document. Now payments to the NSSI are made by use of five different documents involving payment of charges. The purpose of the meeting with the biggest employers’ organisation was to present measures to guarantee the long-term...
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More than 50 companies from Bulgaria and Tunisia participated in a business forum held at the BCCI within the 14th session of the Bulgarian-Tunisian intergovernmental commission for economic and scientific-and-technical cooperation. The business forum was opened by Mr. Traycho Traykov – Minister of the Economy, Energetics and Tourism of Bulgaria, and Afif Shelby – Minister of Industry and Technolgies of Tunisia. Presented were companies from the foodstuff and the chemical industry,...
Full textOn June 15 - Global Day of the Mobile Trade, BCCI and GS1-Bulgaria organize an Opened Doors Day
- 18-05-2010
The General Meeting of the International Association GS1, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was opened by Mr. TanSri Young - Chairman of the Board of GS1 Malaysia, and Mr. Miguel Lopera - President of the Chamber of Commerce of Malaysia. The participants in the meeting were welcomed by the GS1 President Mr. Miguel Lopera. Presentations and discussions on the main directions of the GS1 activity had already been made. In the Health Care sector, presentations were delivered by Maria Palazolo from...
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BCCI Vice President Mr. Georgi Stoev bestowed a plate and diploma to Mrs. Silvia Koleva, director of VSK “Centaur” – IZ “Dynamics” Ltd., Dryanovo, for thecontribution of her company to developing and enhancing the export possibilities of the Bulgarian economy, within the national competition “Business Lady of the Year”, held for the 19-th consecutive year now, organized by the magazine “Us, Women”. The “Lady Manager of the...
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BCCI President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov continues his sequence of visits in the regions, this week – Targovishte and Silistra. The aim is to gain awareness of the problems of the local business in surmounting the consequences of the economic stagnation in the country and present the new possibilities of widening BCCI’s services. When meeting with diplomats and commercial representatives, when visiting our partners abroad, we must always carry a rich assortment of suggestions so that we...
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The event was officially opened by Traycho Traykov - Minister of the Economy, Energetics and Tourism of Bulgaria, Mrs. Daria Radich - State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Slovenia , Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov - BCCI President, Mr. Sdenko Pachek – President of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry . Mr. Simeonov introduced the activity of the BCCI, the services offered by the Chamber to the business and its role in intensifying the connections between the two...
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A meeting between the President of the Chamber Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov and the newly appointed commercial councillor of Turkey to Bulgaria Mr. Zafer Soylu was held on 5 May 2010 at the BCCI. Presented were the Chamber’s activity and information possibilities, as well as directions for cooperation between the BCCI and the commercial section of the Embassy. Mr. Soylu pointed out the good cooperation between the commercial section and the Bulgarian customs . Discussed was the...
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On 4 May 2010 a meeting between the President of the Chamber Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, Deputy Chairman Mr. Georgi Stoev and H.E. Mr. Einars Semanis, Ambassador of Latvia in charge for Bulgaria seated in Warsaw, Poland. At the meeting, the Chamber’s activity was discussed as a whole and in particular the work with the Baltic countries. Mr. Stoev s hared his impressions from a past visit to Latvia in 2005, when he accompanied the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. GeorgiParvanov on...
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A discussion of the measures in the fiscal sphere was held at the BCCI, with participation of the Board of Administration , representatives of members of the Chamber, experts. Based on the results of an Inquiry Study in respect of the Government’s intentions to change tax rates as an anti-crisis measure, the following findings were presented: The question of a possible VAT increase is of key importance for the economy , because the VAT brings 40 % of the budget incomes, but the cash...
Full textApril
The question of raising the VAT is a key issue for the economy as it brings 40 % of the budget incomes and nobody should be indifferent, including the BCCI as the biggest nationally representative employers’ organization – said BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov. The frequent change in positions and intentions of reform in the taxation policy is not a good signal neither to the local business nor to the potential investors. A higher VAT will surely lead to a growth in the prices...
Full textThe European Integration and Projects Directorate and Еnterprise Europe Network participate in the development and realization of international projects orientated to SMEs and aim to create possibilities to enhance competitiveness, to widen the business and the international contacts . BCCI presents 2 projects under way , where interested Bulgarian firms may enlist or receive additional information on the addresses and telephones mentioned . Thus we begin to present the projects that are being...
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A business forum took place at the BCCI that precluded with the signature of a cooperation agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guyrat city, Pakistan, and the BCCI. On the part of the chamber in Guyrat the agreement was signed by Mohamed Imtaz, and on the Bulgarian part – by the BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov. The visit of the 17-member Pakistani business delegation was with participation of the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sofia Mrs. Kasar Ahsan...
Full textTsvetan Simeonov: If the anti-crisis measures are implemented, there will be money for the business
- 14-04-2010
HORIZONT, Wednesday, 14 April 2010 , 17:36:41 Velichko Konakchiev interviewing Tsvetan Simeonov АIf the anti-crisis measures are implemented as agreed by consensus , there should be a considerable progress regarding payment of the state’s obligations to the business, and we are already witnessing a deviation from what was agreed, said BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov in the TV program “Something More”. He specified that different versions are heard about incomplete...
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In 2009 there is a record increase in the number of actions heard by the BCCI Arbitration Court, noted Dr. Silvi Chernev, President of the Court, at a meeting of the arbitration colleges . The number of the internal proceedings is 668 – an almost threefold bigger figure compared to the preceding two years ( with 246 cases in 2008 and 252 cases in 2007 ). The number of the international cases has also increased by more than 100 % – 28 cases in 2009 ( with 13 cases in 2008 and 20...
Full textMarch
In the field of innovations, the connection between the science and the business to deliver a scientific product for the real business has been strongly disrupted. This means that in practice the conditions for the effect of the main law of the market economy of demand and supply have been disrupted – this is part of the conclusions from the newest inquiry study done by electronic means among the members of the chamber, whose activity relates to innovative processes. More than 90% of the...
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Accents in the commercial-and-economic relations between Bulgaria and Lebanon were in the center of a business meeting between the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Lebanon, Mr. Mohamed Kushar, and the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and representatives of the Bulgarian business. Lebanon occupies a leading place in our stock exchange with the Arab states and is a traditional partner of ours – noted BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov on...
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If so far we have known Mauritius as a tourist destination only, from today’s presentation before the BCCI members of its economic possibilities as a financial center of investments in India and China, we see that a relatively small economy must continually present its potential. Today BCCI’s guest is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Mauritius Dr. Ramakrishna Sithanen, who previously met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and...
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A session of the Association of the Balkan Chambers (ABC) took place in Saraevo. Thanks to funding provided under a project of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry stable structures were built up . The Association expects start-up of a new project, which again is focused on the countries from the CEFTA group . The aim is to have strong non-governmental organizations of the Balkan chambers . Strengthened will be the connections for assistance in crisis situations and in conditions of fast...
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At the BCCI, a seminar was held for explication of the public procurement procedures for UN programs and initiatives. This is a big and secure market with more than 7 000 positions for supplies and services with guaranteed financing – noted Mr. Ivan Stoimenov, BCCI Secretary General, in his welcoming speech. He pointed out that the potential business partnership with the UN is particularly topical in a period of economic stagnation and increased competition. According to Mr. Ivo...
Full textThe BCCI supports the forthcoming EP voting regarding amendment of a Late Payments Directive. It would improve the business’ access to the so necessary means of driving the business cycle , at a time , when the sources of external financing are still rare , especially for the small and medium-size enterprises . The biggest employer organisation – BCCI perceives the position of BUSINESSEUROPE and EUROCHAMBERS of refusing interference in the contractual freedom in the inter-corporate...
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On 17 March 2010, a meeting between the BCCI President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov and Mr. Alexander Tomilov, commercial representative of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria, took place at the BCCI premises . The meeting was on the request of the Russian party. Main topic of the meeting - possibilities to activate the efforts of the two chambers to support inter-business contacts and encourage mutual trade . Mr. Tomilov expressed wish that the excellent commercial relations between the two countries...
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On 17 March 2010 a round table was held on the topic of Problems and Perspectives in Applying GS1 Standards in Bulgaria. The meeting was initiated by the GS1 Bulgaria Council at the BCCI and was attended by representatives of METRO Cash and Carry Bulgaria Ltd., Billa Bulgaria Ltd., Kaufland Bulgaria Ltd., Doverie Briko Plc., Evropa-VN Ltd. , Promarket Ltd. and Frodo Market Ltd. In his speech to the round table participants Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President and Chairman of the Bureau of GS1...
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According to the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act an Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) will enter in force from 1 April 2010. The BCCI conducted training for its members on the upcoming introduction of the system. Lecturer was Mrs. Svetla Genova from the Customs Agency – EMCS national communication manager. Upon the system’s operation start, the present procedure of excise movement under a deferred excise payment regime within the Community will be replaced...
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On 16 March 2010 , BCCI President Mr. Simeonov met with Shoumen City Mayor Mr. Krasimir Kostov. They discussed issues relevant to the economic development of Shoumen region as well as measures in support the local business to overcome the economic crisis and preserve jobs. They agreed on organizing a visit for BCCI’s Management to Shoumen city in April , to hold a special meeting with business representatives from the region and discuss the problems on local and national level as well as...
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Bulgaria ’s economic recovery will start in April 2010, according to Tsvetan Simeonov, Chair of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Bulgaria’s economy has seen harder times. If the GERB party lives up to its campaign promises – not to increase taxes, to reduce the administration – we are not going to be in the situation of some of the neighbouring states,” Simeonov told Pro.bg TV apparently referring to the situation in Greece. Simeonov has...
Full textThe biggest employer’s organization – the BCCI welcomes the decision announced today that the health insurance amount remains unchanged . It is good that the Chamber’s arguments in favor of equalizing the health insurance payments of the state administration employees with the health insurance payments from the business have been adopted. This said BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov upon presenting the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Business Council’s participation...
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On 11.03.2010 a regular session of the members of the GS1 Bulgaria Council Bureau members took place at the BCCI, with the following agenda: Approving the list of newly accepted members of GS1 Bulgaria Council for the period 05.10.2009 – 08.03.2010 and the list of companies with suspended membership because of non-payment of membership fee / article 17 (4)/, Report on results achieved during 2009 Information regarding GS1 Global Forum 2010 Report on the inquiry...
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This measure is perceived as one that would aggravate the situation of the business in a difficult time . The position of the BCCI has long ago been stated and we are against pouring money into unreformed sectors . We have not yet seen any real steps towards reforming anything in the system . In 2008 there was a single 2% increase of the health insurance contributions , but nobody checked up where this increased resource went . In this sense, we do not perceive an increase in health insurance...
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More than 60 000 women entrepreneurs and managers now work in small and medium-size enterprises in Bulgaria . This said BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov on opening the conference ”Womenomics – women in the entrepreneurship” organized on the initiative of the Embassy of Nerway jointly with the BCCI, on the occasion of the International Women’ s Day. According to Mr. Simeonov, the number of women-entrepreneurs in Bulgaria has considerably grown. Research indicates...
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The BCCI President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov presented martenitsi, gifts and fruit in the St. Ivan Rilski children’s home in Sofia. The home tends to children from 3 to 7 years of age deprived of parental care and the BCCI is a long-term sponsor and gives joy to the children for all holidays, yet the Chamber’s priority is year-round support. The gifts were delivered in the presence of the Directress of the St Ivan Rilski children’s home Antoaneta Ivanova. The funds, which the...
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On 1 March 2010, a meeting between Mr. Georgi Stoev, BCCI Vice President, and Mr. Remko De Brun, Director of International Cooperation at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and Industry seated in The Hague, took place at the BCCI. At the meeting, Mr. Stoev acquainted Mr. De Brun with the BCCI’s activity as a whole and in particular with the various spheres of cooperation between the Chamber and the Euro Chambers seated in Brussels, as well as the work on various projects . Discussed was...
Full textA seminar for Safe and Healthy Working Conditions took place 26 to 28 February 2010 in Bankya
- 01-03-2010
With the participation of the members of the Council of BCCI and RCCI Presidents, presented were the good practices of ensuring and observing the requirements for safe and healthy working conditions in enterprises and firms. RCCI-Razgrad Vice President, Mr. Slavi Iliev explained with examples the experience and practices of the Labor Medicine Service in providing services and consultations for companies and members of the BCCI. Mr. Stanimir Tsotsov – member of the BCCI Managing Board ,...
Full textFebuary
The regular annual Global Forum GS1 of the national GS1 organizations started today in Brussels. This year the motto is: From vision to action, GS1 alliance for new possibilities. The idea of the annual forum is to share the progress so far achieved in the organization’s activity and the plans for further development . At the forum, the GS1 Bulgaria Council with the BCCI was presented by Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President and Chairman of the GS1 Bulgaria Council Bureau, members of...
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The regular annual Global Forum GS1 of the national GS1 organizations started today in Brussels. This year the motto is: From vision to action, GS1 alliance for new possibilities. The idea of the annual forum is to share the progress so far achieved in the organization’s activity and the plans for further development. At the forum, the GS1 Bulgaria Council with the BCCI was presented by Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President and Chairman of the GS1 Bulgaria Council Bureau, members of...
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H. Exc. Vyacheslav Kachanov , Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Belarus in Sofia , and Mrs. Svetlana Karounets , Councilor at the Embassy, visited the Chamber and discussed with the BCCI President joint initiatives in support of entrepreneurs from both countries. According to Ambassador Kachanov, there is insufficient exchange of business information and this is a field where the cooperation between partner organizations from Bulgaria and Belarus should be boosted . Discussed...
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The Chamber President met on 18 February 2010 Ivan Todoroff – manager and owner of TODOROFF winery . Discussed was the state and the development of the sector during the crisis time as well as measures to improve and regulate the viticulture-and-winery policy , restructure and renovate the vine-growing plantations, expand the massifs with traditional Bulgarian wine-sort grapevines, enhance the competitiveness of the Bulgarian producers of grapes and wine . Another conversation topic was...
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On 17 February 2010, at the BCCI, a meeting between the Chamber President Tsvetan Simeonov and H.E. Alexander Tsrkvenyakov, Ambassador of Serbia to Bulgaria. Discussed were the possibilities for interaction between the BCCI and the Embassy to expand the commodity exchange . Analyzed was the economic situation in the two countries and on the Balkans, as well as the impact of the
Full textJanuary
On 25th of January 2010 the regular meeting of the EU Club at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chamber took place, marking the tenth anniversary of this Club. The EU Club aims to be an active tool for Bulgarian integration in the European institutions and to promote and defend the Bulgarian business interests on the single European market. More than 100 Club’s members – noted diplomats, politicians, journalists, bankers, entrepreneurs – visited BCCI again and...
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The Ambassador of Germany to Bulgaria Matthias Hopfner paid a visit to the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 19 th of January 2010 and discussed with the Chairman of the Chamber Tsvetan Simeonov some issues of common interest. The BCCI had conducted a brief research among its 4,500 direct members concerning the attitudes of Bulgarian firms making business with Germany. M-r Simeonov presented the results of this consultation, which appeared to be emphatically positive. Not even one...
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