The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted the traditional meeting of the Club of Mixed and Foreign Chambers in Bulgaria. The event was officially opened by BCCI ‘s President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, who provided an overview of the economic situation in Bulgaria, highlighting the draft 2026 budget and the position of the Association of Organizations of Bulgarian Employers (AOBE). He noted that employers are advocating for the following key changes:
• No increase in the dividend income tax rate;
• No increase in the social security contribution by 2 percentage points;
• No increase in the maximum social security income.
The meeting also addressed AOBE’s proposals for alternative mechanisms for collecting budget revenues, the methodology for determining the minimum wage, and other issues affecting the business environment in Bulgaria.
Boryana Abadzhieva, Chief Expert in “Economic Analysis and Policy” at BCCI, presented the results of the 33rd annual edition of the EUROCHAMBRES European Economic Survey (EES2026). She highlighted the three main challenges for Bulgarian businesses in the coming year, as identified by survey respondents:
• Labor costs (58% of respondents)
• Shortage of skilled workers (56% of respondents)
• Financial conditions (50% of respondents)
Miroslava Markova, Chief Expert in “International Cooperation and International Organizations” at BCCI, presented the EU – Japan and Republic of Korea Business Hub program, which aims to finance small and medium-sized enterprises entering these markets, with a focus on three key areas: the green sector and environmental solutions, digital solutions, and the healthcare sector (healthcare services and medical equipment). Markova provided detailed information on the program’s objectives, the application process, and upcoming business missions, including EU Business Hub @ Smart Energy Week Spring 2026 and EU Business Hub @ ENVEX Business Mission, targeting companies operating in the green sector.
During the subsequent discussion, over 20 representatives of mixed and foreign chambers shared information on their activities, planned initiatives, and the current challenges facing businesses.