BBLF Members met with Mr. Nikolay Vasilev, CFA, Deputy-Prime Minister and Minister of Economy

BBLF members met with Mr Nikolay Vassilev, CFA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy at a Business luncheon in Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan on September 10, 2002. Special guests at the meeting were H.E. Sten Ask - Ambasador of Sweden, H.E. Ian Soutar Ambassador of Great Britain, H.E. Mr James Pardiew - Ambassador of the USA, Ms Pirita Sorsa - IMF Resident Representative etc. Other eminent representatives of the business community from Nestle Sofia AD, Bulgarian Post Bank, Radisson SAS Grand Hotel, Hebros Bank, Biochim Bank, Danon Serdika AD, Overgas Holding etc. also attended the business luncheon.

In his opening address Mr Nikolay Vassilev spoke about the government priorities in the economic sector thus underlining the need for strong public support for creating better business environment in the country. While sharing his ambition to establish a better connection between the private sector and the government Mr Vassilev pointed out the importance of maintaining the dialog between them. This would be especially helpful in drafting more favourable legislation to bringing larger foreign investment in Bulgaria (i.e. the amendments in the Law on bank proceedings). Deputy Prime Minister Mr Vassilev put a special emphasis on the importance of spreading high business ethics standards among the Bulgarian business community. He also mentioned the business' support and commitment to helping young graduates in their career development.

In an open discussison with Mr Nikolay Vassilev the participants at the luncheon raised the following issues:

• The need to promote and make Bulgaria more attractive for foreign investors and convince them it is the right place for their activities;
• The role of responsible and ethical business practices as a catalyst for better business environment;
• One of the prerequisites for increasing the business activities would be improvement of the infrastructure and computerisation of the custom services.
• The need for maintaining European standards and the improvement of the administration in the fastest growing sector in Bulgaria as it the tourism.

Mr. Maxim Behar, Chairman of BBLF assure the guests BBLF would act further as a facilitator for cross-sector partnerships and bring together leaders in business, civil society and public sector.