Transcript 1. Bulgarian economy – overview and expectations forward

Business opportunities in Bulgaria
Alexandra Bacheva
CIBANK JSC, part of KBC group
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Part of KBC Group
Why Bulgaria?
Investment friendly
EU funds
Belgian society
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Part of KBC Group
Investment friendly
 Strategic location and easy access to markets of
EU, Russia/CIS & Middle East
 Stable environment (EU member, Currency board,
EU harmonized legislation)
 Low cost of doing business (affordable rents, utility
costs, wages)
 Tax benefits
 Government incentives for investors and EU
programs
 Educated and skilled workforce
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Part of KBC Group
1 EUR investment = 4 EUR!?
Over 11 BEUR EU subsidies for projects in Bulgaria 2014-2020
EU programs for various sectors and companies in different business stages
•Applicable also to Belgian companies registered in Bulgaria
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Investment in biscuit
production line
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•
Total cost: 930 000 EUR
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Cost: 1 000 000 EUR
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EU subsidy: 630 000 EUR
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EU subsidy:750 000EUR
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Purchase of agricultural
machines
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“Struma” Highway
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construction contract- 34
000 000 EUR
Our experience for a successful EU project
 Find your way in a sea of information.
 Discuss with your Bank before starting the
preparation for your EU project
 Benefit from financial lines for funding/securing your
project- alternative and/or combination
 Find a reliable consulting company
 Take time for the preparation of the project
 Implementation and reporting of the project are
important
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Part of KBC Group
Well developed Belgian-Bulgarian relations
 Bulgaria is among the top 10 importers in Belgium
 990.9MEUR (2005-2013) - Belgian direct investments
 140 Belgian businesses are active in Bulgaria
 Belgian Trade Commission in Bulgaria – representative of AWEX, Brussels Invest &
Export and Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) – the guide for all Belgian entrepreneurs
 Belgian-Bulgarian Luxemburg Business Club in Bulgaria – the Business exchange
meeting point for the Belgian community in Bulgaria
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Part of KBC Group
Turn your challenges into opportunities
Challenges in Belgium?
Opportunities in Bulgaria!
Limited possibilities to expand
production?
New markets?
 Investment support / EU
programs, available
(industrial) plots and buildings
High operational cost?
 Geographical expansion
 Improving margins through:

(partial) outsourcing ,Jointventures & subcontracting
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Part of KBC Group
Success stories
Solvay
In 1997 Solvay, Belgium bought 60% of the soda
factory in Devnya
Solvay
Motivation for launching business in Bulgaria proximity of raw materials and the convenient
transport corridors (Varna West Port)
1997-2011 - €306m invested in innovation and
modernization of the production plants
Solvay Sodi Bulgaria is Europe’s biggest soda
ash plant with a capacity of 1.5 million tons per
year
A number of corporate social responsibility
awards in Bulgaria
Cooperation with universities for onsite visits and
internship programs for students
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Success stories
Roger Vanden Berghe
Reallocation of labor-intensive
production was identified as a solution for
retaining the market position of the Belgian
company
The long-term partnership with a BG
carpet producer helped them to recognize
Bulgaria as the suitable location
The local subsidiary was set up in 2011 as
an asset-based transaction
The business locally is growing and the
production is expanding.
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Part of KBC Group
Success stories
Cordeel Group
 The Belgian owned group started up its
business in Bulgaria 15 years ago and
has specialized in civil and industrial
construction.
 Preferred partner for investors in
Bulgaria with over 35 construction
projects of local and foreign investors all
over the country
 Winner of “Building of the year” award in
2013 and 2014
 The formula for success is the wellknown internationally brand, expertise
of the group combined with strong local
management.
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Part of KBC Group
About us
 CIBANK and the insurer DZI (ДЗИ) are 100 % owned KBC subsidiaries
operating on the Bulgarian market.
 KBC is present in Bulgaria since 2007
 Bulgaria is one of the KBC group core markets
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Part of KBC Group
How can we help?
 A team dedicated to international clients:
 We know the international service levels and combine them with a thorough knowledge of
the local market
 We care – it’s more than a job.
 Easy access:
 Smooth and well organized establishment of banking and insurance solutions (first need and
through the existence of the company)
 We take care of personal banking and insurance needs
 We know who you are: direct communication with our Belgian colleagues
 Direct contacts with (Belgian) top management of the bank.
 We know the market:
 we have a nation wide presence and can help you to find and assess potential partners
 We have a specialized team to help you to assess how to benefit from
national and EU projects
 We take care of contacts with your peers
 We are part of the Belgian community where our Belgian executives play an active role.
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Part of KBC Group
Your success story in Bulgaria is waiting for you!
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Part of KBC Group
Alexandra Bacheva
Head International Network Desk
Corporate Banking
Tel: +359 2 9029 116
GSM: +359 878 787 513
[email protected]
www.cibank.bg
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Part of KBC Group