The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum celebrated its anniversary with an event for members, partners and supporters, including Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov and four members of the government
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) celebrated its 25th anniversary on 21 November 2023 with a cocktail party mottoed 25 Years Together for member companies, partners and supporters. The event was joined by Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov, Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev and Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov, Deputy Ministers of Labour and Social Policy Nikolay Naydenov and of Innovation and Growth Martin Gikov, representatives of business and civil society organisations, foreign ambassadors and figures associated with BBLF’s history and development.
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum is this country’s largest and upmost responsible business community. It was founded in 1998 in Sofia by 12 international companies as part of the network of the International Business Leaders Forum of the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. Today, the BBLF community consists of over 130 leading companies from various industries sharing the values of business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The Forum's mission is to work for the long-term progress of the Bulgarian economy and society in dialogue and cooperation with other sectors.
More than 100 guests attended the cocktail reception held at the InterContinental Sofia: senior executives of member companies, partners and supporters from the private sector, public institutions, civil society organisations, and the diplomatic corps.
"Thanks to all of you, the BBLF is a respected business association that has encouraged and promoted business ethics, responsible and sustainable business practices for 25 years now. We are very satisfied that together we are reaffirming the leading role of the private sector in Bulgaria’s economic development and social environment. Thank you to all the companies, large and small, Bulgarian and international, in our community - you demonstrate every day that responsible and sustainable business leads to success in our country setting the path for the next generation of leaders," BBLF Chair Levon Hampartzoumyan said at the opening.
"25 years is a serious age for an organisation that has gone through turbulent times," Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said in his address. He pointed out that social responsibility and contribution to the development of education distinguish true business leaders. "Let's hope that in all areas we will find the right leaders who will steer Bulgaria in the right direction," the Prime Minister added.
"If 25 years ago, in 1998, many of you chose a clear path for Bulgaria: towards European civilisation, its values and vision, today we are working to become a true European country with favourable business opportunities, good incomes, justice and partnerships with Europe and the world. Let us hope that in 25 years' time we would again say that we made our way in the right direction," Finance Minister Asen Vassilev stated.
"Thank you for working for the prosperity of Bulgaria and for being excellent ambassadors of Bulgaria with your products, services, innovations and achievements," Bogdan Bogdanov, Minister of Economy and Industry said.
Among the special guests at the event were also British Ambassador Rob Dixon who greeted the attendees, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Tsvetan Simeonov who presented an official plaque to mark the long-standing cooperation between BCCI and BBLF.
Guests included former chairs of BBLF Maxim Behar, Maria Shishkova, and Iravan Hira, and Bill Drysdale, BBLF's first chair had sent his address, former executive directors Desislava Miteva and Stamen Tasev, as well as Management Board members past and present.
Stefan Elenkov, CEO of Fest Team, the golden partner of the event, presented the leading promoter company, and announced the surprise gifts for the attendees: everyone received tickets for upcoming concerts and festivals, and one lucky winner got a golden ticket for all future events.
Virtuoso Quarto Quartet, part of Sofia Phiharmonic Orchestra, harpist Yana Doynova and TV and radio journalist Evelina Pavlova all added to the event’s festive spirit.
BBLF would like to thank event partners: golden partnerFest Team, silver partners JTIandAmusnet, bronze partners PwC and M3 Communications Group, Inc. and partners Lead Vision, Unique Estates and Congress Engineering
