HBCB Information Workshop on Alternative ways of Financing through the Competitiveness Programme
Yesterday, in Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, the Hellenic Business Council in Bulgaria organized an event under the title "Alternative ways of Financing: New Opportunities for Bulgarian businesses from EU funds through the Competitiveness Programme" and the Funding Opportunities for Bulgarian Businesses 2007-2013". More than 150 peoples were attracted by the topics and the useful information, presented by the speakers, including were the Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Mrs. Julieta Hubenova, the Ambassador of Greece in Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Thrasivoulos Stamatopoulos and representatives of the nongovernmental sector, HBCB members and friends.
The Information Workshop was opened by the Executive Director of the HBCB, Mr. Minko Gerdjikov. Introductory notes were addressed by Mr. Tomislav Donchev, Minister of EU funds management and Minister Plenipotentiary Mrs. Ioanna Sotirakou-Yannaros, Head of the Economic and Commercial Section of the Embassy of Greece in Sofia. Minister Donchev stressed the importance of this HBCB event, suggesting that any useful opinion, any good idea can be used by the Government. He pointed out the guidelines of the new program period - emphasis to finance engineering, more funds for SMEs and for innovations. The Minister of EU funds management gave the recipe for overcoming the crisis and for economic growth - Europe to act as a Union rather than as a set of countries. EU countries rely on Europe to be more connected, more coordinated and all regions and countries to meet the same standards.
The goal of the Information Workshop was to explore the opportunities for Bulgarian businesses, included in the operational programme Competitiveness, as well as to assist Bulgarian businesses in benefiting from EU funds, specifically tailored for green industry, R&D, commercialization of innovative products processes and services, improving energy efficiency and establishment of regional business incubators.
The aim of HBCB is to continue this type of cooperation with the member-companies and to offer different forms of value-added services.
You can find below the presentations from the event :
Mr. Renaldo Mandmets, Head of Unit Bulgaria EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR REGIONAL POLICY
Lessons learnt in Bulgarian EU-funded programmes for the next programming period
_________________________
Mrs. Albena Меrаchеvа, Senior Expert Directorate "European Funds for Competitiveness", Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Bulgaria
Mr. Мustafa Chaushov, Senior Expert Directorate "European Funds for Competitiveness", Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Bulgaria
_________________________
Mr. George Giakoumakis, Mandate Relationship Manager, Regional Business Development, European Investment Fund - Sofia Office
Improving access to finance for SMEs - financial engineering instruments of JEREMIE Bulgaria