Address by the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Dear members and partners,

It is a great privilege for me to once again address you in the eve of the New Year 2018. This mission is much more enjoyable when, besides the hardships we have overcome, we can add the more positive outlook and tendencies of Bulgarian business reported by the statistics. We need the creative spirit now more than ever because of the challenges which will be posed before small Bulgaria by the Presidency of the most powerful economic community – the European Union.

We are glad that the insistent position of BCCI in support of the European perspective of the Western Balkans has been met and accepted not only by our government but by the European Union as well.

It is a pleasure to note that our economy is getting even better – along with many legitimate criticisms, we are seeing and adding more and more positive assessments of our country and hearing more well-meaning voices, to which you, our partners and the companies from the bright sector of the economy, have contributed as well.

The efforts to reduce the administrative burden for Bulgarian businesses and citizens have increased, and if they further expand and accelerate we have every chance to show progress in the fight against corruption and reverse the trend in attracting new investors.

BCCI will not accept the unjust attacks on commercial arbitration and is determined to persistently continue to defend both arbitration and the other alternative means for dispute resolution as they add value to the judicial reform.

We will continue to work in service to business by providing access to the most advanced achievements in trade and entrepreneurship, with specific services and assistance, now from the position of BCCI’s certification to the latest version of ISO 9001:2015.

I would like to thank all entrepreneurs who did not spare their energy, knowledge and skills to better present themselves at the market, who took the time and efforts to participate in and support the noble mission of non-governmental organizations, and especially that of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This will give the Bulgarian business an even more sustainable character and will set better prospects for the Bulgarian economy.

Let everyone from their place and position strive to do something more in favour of Bulgaria and Europe for a better world.

Tsvetan Simeonov

 BCCI President