NEWS FROM BCCI

At a regular meeting the EU Club welcomed the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council

The EU Club at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry gathered for their traditional meeting on the occasion of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU on January 15, 2015. More than 95 participants, among them ambassadors and commercial counselors of the Member States, representatives of the government and the business circles as well as NGOs participated in the event.

Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the BCCI opened the meeting with wishes for a successful 2015, which will be crucial for the BCCI due to its 120 anniversary.

After the welcome speech given by the Chairwoman of the EU Club, Prof. Ingrid Shikova, H.E. Mr. Marco Conticelli presented the results achieved during the Italian presidency of the Council of the EU whereas he stressed on the progress achieved with regard to positioning Europe’s economic growth and investments at the forefront of EU priorities.

Prof. Alexander Popov, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia, highlighted the priorities of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU during the first half of 2015. The priority axes are: competitive Europe, digital Europe and engaged Europe. Prof. Popov also states that with regard to the turbulent global scene, among the main priorities will be the fight against terrorism and finding solution for the Ukrainian crisis.

Mr. Andrea Casini, COO and Vice Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank presented a forecast for the development of the Bulgarian economy in 2015 and noted the main points of improvement in 2014. The main economic drivers in 2015 will be the EU funds absorption and the stimulation of the household consumption through lower prices of energy used.

In the end of the meeting Mr. Plamen Stoyanov, National Executive Director of SOS Children’s villages Bulgaria appealed to the participants to express their solidarity with the children in the villages in the frames of the European social priorities.

Presentation of Mr. Andrea Casini: COO and Vice Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank: click here

NEWS FROM BCCI

At a regular meeting the EU Club welcomed the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council

Ambassadors and commercial counselors of the EU Member States, representatives of the government and the business circles as well as NGOs participated in the event Още

BCCI presented the British Ambassador H.E. Jonathan Allen with an Honorary Diploma

On occasion of the end of his term of office in Bulgaria Още

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba visited BCCI

Special invitation was extended to Bulgarian companies to participate in the International Fair that will take place in Havana in November this year Още

Meeting with the Commercial Counsellor of Poland

An upcoming visit of a Polish business delegation to Bulgaria in the second half of March Още

BULGARIA IN EU

Energy security and interconnectivity in Bulgaria and the other countries of South Eastern Europe - a priority for the European Commission

Bulgarian Prime Minister introduced the idea to turn Bulgaria into a common gas distribution center for EU Member States in the region Още

BULGARIAN ECONOMY

Bulgaria’s consumer prices in December fall 0.9% Y/Y, stay flat M/M

Deflation in nine of last year’s 12 months with the exception of April, July and October Още

Bulgarian exports to the EU growing, exports to third countries decreasing

The volume of imported goods is greatest from Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and Spain Още

LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

Better laws can lead to more than BGN 1 billion in savings, an analysis of the Council for Administrative Reform suggests

The priorities of the Council are aimed at achieving even greater transparency in governance, partnership with the civil society, business facilitation Още

INVESTMENT NEWS

Bulgarian City Clinic to invest BGN 200 million in construction of three hospitals

The target is for City Clinic to become the largest provider of healthcare services in Bulgaria in the next three years Още

Bottle caps producer Herti will invest BGN 3.7 million

Half of the investment money is insured under European programme Competitiveness Още