Maxim Behar for CNBC: "EU Entry is A Huge Chance for New Members' Economies"

BBLF Chair and M3 Communications Group CEO Maxim Behar spoke Friday live on CNBC about his vision of the Bulgarian economy.

He explained that EU entry would be a great chance for the economy of the new members.

"First of all, they would step into a larger market; secondly, the employees of these countries will be able to actively share their experience with the rest of Europe and also accummulate new experience in the Western countries. Last but not least, it's extremely important to have free access to business ethics standards of the big international companies," the BBLF chairman said.

"Over the past four years, Bulgaria has seen more than five billion euros in investments, which means that now this is the true hot issue of the European business market," he underlined.

Maxim Behar is representing Bulgaria at the Helsinki plenary session of the European Business Leaders Convention. The forum brings together top European executives to engage in a forwardlooking debate regarding Europe's competitiveness, its international standing and its governance.

As part of the conference programme, Mr. Behar also gave a speech during the Friday Morning Session, hosted by BBC World's Nick Gowing, where he presented BBLF's 2005 Responsible Business Directory. The unique edition features the CSR Profiles of 70 companies doing business in Bulgaria, advertising the country as a predictable and stable market.

Among the participants at the EBLC Plenary Session are Jorma Ollila, Chairman and CEO, Nokia Corporation, Wim Kok, Former Prime Minister of Netherlands, Thomas Leysen, CEO of Umicore, Henry McKinell Jr, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Inc, and Michael Treschow, Chairman of Ericsson.