Galery

1

                I can confidently say that the sector of the services in Bulgaria is at a very good level. Also the construction industry is very well developed, however it has more perspectives to grow. Areas like standardization and certification in the farming production as well as modernizing of the industrial sector are the areas in which Bulgaria could improve its competitiveness compared to the rest of the countries in the European Union.

What advise would you give to the Greek business people who have not yet entered the Bulgarian market? Would you encourage them to cross the border and invest in Bulgaria and why?

                My personal opinion, however this is also the opinion of the members of the Greek – Bulgarian chamber of commerce is that in Bulgaria there are a lot of opportunities for the development of a successful business. The favorable investment climate of the country, the low tax rates, the reliable political system and the good will of the government towards the foreign investors guarantee the success of the commercial organizations. The main condition for the new companies entering the Bulgarian market however is to follow the laws and the legal procedures and to respect the rules settled within the country.

Do you see opportunities for Bulgarian business people to invest in Greece? Which are the sectors of the economy which you will recommend?

                One of the main goals of the chamber is to encourage and assist the Bulgarian business circles to enter in the Greek market. Currently their number is rather small – mainly construction companies which work in the region of northern Greece, however this is quite insufficient. The industries we recommend as successful and attractive for investments are for example the offering of services like the tourist services for example. There are a lot of programs of the European Union subsidizing the development of new activities within or outside the borders of the country.

Other sectors of the Greek economy, which would be of interest for the Bulgarian investors include: the financial one, the agricultural as well as the shipping. In the chamber we are planning to carry out a common commercial forum in September 2010 during which we will present our studies in regards to the business opportunities in both countries.

How does the crisis of the Greek economy affect the Bulgarian – Greek economic relations?

                The crisis which Greece is going through today is very serious. The measures which our government has undertaken are very serious and responsible, however I am not sure to what extend they will be enough. A great deal of political courage is needed on the part of the government in order to decrease the waste in the expenses part of the budget. The governmental expenses have to be decreased in a long term plan as well as the number of the public sector employees in the country.

According to official information in Greece today are living about 11 million people. Eleven million and fifty thousand or about 10% of the residents of the country are the ones employed in the public sector. In Bulgaria which has a population of eight million people has only one hundred forty five government employees or in other words this is ten times less than in Greece. The difference in the number of the people employed in the public sector puts a great deal of weight on the local economy. The government has to undertake some more decisive measures for the rehabilitation of the financial equilibrium because otherwise the economic crisis within the country will affect its commercial relations not only with Bulgaria, but also with other countries on the Balkan Peninsula.