On January 20, Sofia became the center of the economic and political dialogue for Southeast Europe by welcoming the participants in the Fifth Sofia Economic Forum. The event brought together leading figures from business, institutions and international organizations to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities for development in the region.
The Executive Director of IBA, Mrs. Mila Nenova, took part in the forum not only as a panelist, but also as a moderator of the discussion “Enlargement with FDI: State of the Bulgarian Economy and the Role of Investments.” The panel provided a platform for an in-depth analysis of the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the economic development of Bulgaria, as well as for presenting innovative approaches and successful practices to attract new investments.
Within the framework of her participation, Ms. Nenova emphasized the commitment of the InvestBulgaria Agency to continue to be a leading partner in promoting investments and creating a favorable environment for business. She expressed confidence that the synergy between the government, business and international organizations will play a decisive role in the implementation of significant projects.
The discussion focused on key areas that are crucial for the country’s economic growth. The other participants in the panel were Milena Stoycheva, former Minister of Innovation and Growth, Tsvetan Simeonov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emanouil Fountoukis, General Manager of Etem Gestamp and Chairman of the Management Board of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, Roberto Santorelli, Chairman of Confindustria, Plamen Panchev, Executive Director of Trakia Economic Zone, Lyubomir Stanislavov, Executive Director and Member of the Management Board of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria and Emilia Timis, Senior Economist at the World Bank. During the panel discussion, the role of innovation as a major driver of competitiveness was emphasized, as well as the need for investments in education and training to meet the needs of the modern labor market. In this regard, the importance of building an effective relationship between universities and business was also discussed, which would help to train qualified personnel and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.
Particular attention was paid to the development of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and their role in improving infrastructure and promoting regional cooperation. The panelists pointed out that the Balkan countries have great potential for economic integration, which could attract more foreign investment and create a stable economic basis for sustainable growth.