Vasil Velev Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association

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3 Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) is the most representative union of Bulgarian employers. Founded in 1996, today the Association has gained reputation in the field of business, social partnership and public area in general. Currently, there are over 80 branch chambers and organisations that are members of the Association, as well as enterprises that employ workers. BICA also has a welldeveloped network of regional chambers in 171 municipalities throughout the country. The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association has affirmed the reputation of a speaker for the real manufacturing sector. It represents the interests of its members before the executive and legislative authorities at national and European level, influences the preparation of the legal framework and policies in the socio - economic sphere, endeavours to improve the competitiveness of Bulgarian enterprises and to create a favourable business environment, as well as to accelerate the development of the Bulgarian economy. Throughout the years, the Association has formulated consistent policies and has implemented them through systematic actions. It has built on the achieved results and has been equally unbiased and independent of all political parties. BICA is the only organisation that incorporates listed companies and providers operating in the field of Services of general interest in the country. The Association is permanently committed to the development of the capital markets, and makes constant efforts toward the positive perception of issuers status. The Association works in this direction in close collaboration with the investment community and institutions at national and European level. The Association continues to expand its international presence and positions. BICA is the only nationally representative Bulgarian organisation of employers that is a member of СЕЕР the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services ( employers organisation and social partner of the European Commission for the last fifty years. Through its membership in CEEP, BICA provides its members with the opportunity to participate directly in the development of the European business model while benefiting from the experience and contributing to the improvement of the Bulgarian socio-economic environment by disseminating the best European economic practices. In 2015 a BICA representative was re-elected as a CEEP Executive vice-president the highest position ever held by a Bulgarian national in the European social partner s organisation. The influence on policy development is also achieved through BICA s participation in the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as in the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria. Guided by its Statute and principles, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association will continue its support for the development and implementation of policies for ensuring macroeconomic stability and budget discipline, for the improvement of the business environment and for sustainable economic growth, for the supremacy of law and implementation of the contracts for business security and property inviolability. Vasil Velev Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association 1

4 Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) represents its members before the state and public institutions in the country and abroad for creating a favourable business environment and for successful and competitive performance of Bulgarian business on the European and global markets. BICA actively works for sustainable development, for high standards of corporate management and corporate social responsibility, for improvement of the quality of services of general interest, for fostering the competitiveness and investments in the Bulgarian industry. Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association is founded in Members of the Association are 80 branch chambers, operating in more than 65 economic activities, enterprises that employ workers and employees. BICA has a network of regional chambers in 171 municipalities in the country. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF BICA The General Assembly is the supreme authority of the Association. The Assembly defines the main guidelines of BICA s development, adopts the budget of the Association, elects and dismisses the members of the National Council, Governing Board and Control Board, adopts the financial report of the National Council and the Governing Board and the activity report of the Control Board, performs other functions deriving from the Statute and the national legislation. The National Council is an authority of the Association that operates during the periods between the sessions of the General Assembly. It defines the work directions of the Governing Board and the commissions of the National Council, performs the functions of the General Assembly between its sessions, verifies the programme of the organisation, accepts new members, protects the interests of the members of the Association before all authorities and organisations in the country and abroad. The National Council makes decisions for opening of branch offices and for participation in other organisations. It nominates the Secretary General. The National Council reports its activities to the General Assembly. The National Council can establish permanent and temporary commissions on issues that are significant for BICA s members and defines their scope of competency. The Governing Board ensures the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and the National Council. It reports on the performed activities to the General Assembly and during the period between the sessions of the General Assembly to the National Council. The Governing Board develops and implements guidelines for the development of the Association. Annually, it prepares and submits a draft-budget and a report on the Association s activity to the National Council for discussion, and to the General Assembly for approval. The Control Board is an organ of the General Assembly of the Association. It performs full revision and control regarding the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly, the National Council, the Governing Board and those that derive from the regulations and internal documents of the Association. The Secretary-General organises the implementation of the decisions of the National Council and the Governing Board of the Association. The Secretary-General performs the operative management in conformity with the decisions of the General Assembly, the National Council and Governing Board, manages the Association s staff and ensures the management and maintenance of its property. 2

5 NATIONAL COUNCIL Aleksey Kanchev Executive Director of Ketmash Plc. Aleksandar Kerezov Vice-chairman of the Governing Board of Chimimport Plc. Aleksandar Aleksandrov General Manager of the Corporation Razvitie KDA Atanas Bobokov Chairman of the Governing Board of Monbat Plc. Bogdan Borisov Chairman of National Milk Processors Association Bogdan Ugarchinski President of Velgraf Group Consortium Bozhidar Danev Executive President of Bulgarian Industrial Association - Union of the Bulgarian Business Boyko Nedyalkov Executive Director of Torgoterm Plc. Boris Radulov Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Association for Construction Insulation and Waterproofing Borislav Velikov Representative of Bulgarian Water Association Boyan Boychev CEO of BMG Ltd. Daneta Zheleva CEO of Industrial Holding Bulgaria Plc. Daniela Peeva Chairwoman of the Governing Board of Association of Bulgarian Investor Relations Directors Deyan Daneshki CEO of Bulgarian Posts EAD Dilyana Slavova Member of the Governing Board of National Association Mountain milk Dimitar Hristov Chairman of Association Eco Nevrokop Dimitar Gishin Representative of Technology and Innovation Corporation Plc Dimitrina Hristova Chairwoman of Association for Mass Communication Dimitar Madzharov Member of the Governing Board of Association of Meat Processors in Bulgaria Emil Dimitroff Executive Director of North America-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce Ekaterina Dimitrova Chairman of Bulgarian Association of PR Agencies Eleonora Negulova Chairman of National Association of Small and Medium business Galin Gospodinov Chairman of Branch Chamber of Woodworking and Furniture Industry Genoveva Hristova Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Furniture Cluster Georgi Belovski Executive Director and Member of Board of Directors of Toplofikatsia Sofia Ltd Georgi Minchev Chairman of the Control Board of Bulgarian Association for Freight Forwarding, Transport and Logistics Georgi Bonin Executive director of Bon Marin Plc Georgi Vasilev Representative of Bulgarian Pepper Association Haralambi Anchev Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bulgarian Holding Company Plc Hristo Iliev Vice-chairman of the Governing Board of Favorit Hold Plc Iliya Keleshev Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Branch Chamber Machine Building Ilze Atanasova Chairwoman of the Governing Board of Marine cluster Bulgaria Ivan Revalski CEO of TK Hold Plc Ivanka Dancheva Executive Director of Albena Invest Holding Plc. Iveta Kunova Chairwoman of the Bulgarian Association of Insurance Brokers Ivo Petrushev Executive Director of Sofia Assets Management Plc Kancho Stoychev Chairman of the Association Made in Bulgaria Krastyu Stanilov President of Confederation of the Bulgarian industry Lyubomir Boyadzhiev Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Association of Licensed Investment Intermediaries Mariana Iteva Regional Director Industrial Development of Veolia for Central and Eastern Europe and Member of the Board of Directors of Sofiyska voda Plc. Mihail Boyadzhiev Chairman of Union of the Bulgarian Foundations and Associations Milcho Bliznakov Executive Director of Holding Varna Plc Nadya Vasileva Chairwoman of Association of BG Staffing Nedyalko Kolaksazov Chairman of the National Association of Fisheries and Aquacultures - Bulgaria Nikola Hristov Chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Ship Brokers and Agents Nikola Zikatanov Member of the Board of Directirs of Zlaten Lev Holding Plc. Nikolay Boltadzhiev Chairman of the National Association of the Private Hospitals Nikolay Doynov Chairman of the Association of Community Centres Nikolay Kirov Chairman of the Association of Geodetic companies Nikolina Uzunova-Karabasheva Executive Director of Bulgarian National Assotiation Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics Pavel Dikovski Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Branch Chamber Roads Pavel Petrov Chairman of the Bulgarian Postal Union Peter Milkov Chairman of the Bulgarian Defence Industries Association Petko Krastev Chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Asset Management Companies Plamen Prodanov Executive director of Cosmos Shipping Ltd Radoslav Dimitrov Director of Investor Relations CEZ Electro Bulgaria Rumen Atanasov Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics Rumen Radev Economic Director of Holding Zagora Ltd Rumen Simeonov Executive Director of Sever Holding Plc Rusi Nikolov Chairman of the National Union of Water Users Stefan Vasilev Chairman of the Governing Board of Nash Dom Holding Europe Ltd. Svetoslav Stanulov Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian Airlines Association Stoycho Simov General Manager of Stroyinvesthold-C Ltd Vasil Velev Executive Director and Member of the Board of Directors of Stara Planina Hold Plc. Vladimir Vladimirov Chairman of the Board of Directors of Holding Bulgarian State Railways EAD Vladislav Simeonov Representative of Bulgarian Book Association Yavor Gechev Chairman of National Union of Agricultural Cooperations in Bulgaria Yordan Gospodinov CEO of Association of Fish Products Producers BG Fish Zhelyu Dobrev Chairman of the Governing Board of Bulgarian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 3

6 COMMISSIONS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL Tax and social-insurance policy and budget: Co-Chairman Aleksandar Kerezov, Rumen Radev Secretary Dobrin Ivanov Members Katya Krancheva, Nikolay Slavchev, Rositsa Trichkova, Hristina Vucheva European programmes and projects: Co-Chairman Bozhidar Neychev, Mihail Boyadzhiev Secretary Rossitsa Stelyanova Members Borislav Kirov, Daniela Ankova, Genoveva Hristova, Nikolay Yalamov, Petia Milusheva, Poliksena Krastanova, Slavina Dimitrova, Violin Nenov Industrial policy: Chairman Nikola Zikatanov Secretary Teodor Dechev Members Blagovesta Shineva, Galin Gospodinov, Dimitar Grishin, Ivan Revalski, Lyudmil Mihaylov, Hristo Iliev, Tsvetana Yankova Capital markets: Chairwoman Daneta Zheleva Secretary Nikolay Mitankin Members Daniela Peeva, Georgi Bahnev, Iveta Kunova, Lyubomir Boyadzhiev, Nikolay Yalamov, Petko Krastev, Svetozar Abrashev, Sofia Argirova, Stefan Petranov, Rumen Radev Competitiveness: Chairman Rumen Radev Secretary Rositsa Steliyanova Members Bogdan Ugarchinski, Bozhidar Neychev, Daniela Ankova, Galin Gospodinov, Genoveva Hristova, Ilze Atanasova, Iliya Keleshev, Mihail Mihaylov, Rumen Atanasov, Violin Nenov Media: Chairman Kancho Stoychev Secretary Valentina Radeva Members Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Dimitrina Hristova, Ekaterina Dimitrova, Milcho Bliznakov, Todora Radeva International cooperation: Chairman Boyko Nedyalkov Secretary Milena Angelova Members Genoveva Hristova, Georgi Minchev, Emil Dimitroff, Krastyo Stanilov, Nikolay Doynov, Radoslava Dimitrova, Rumen Atanasov Environment: Chairwoman Mariana Iteva Secretary Valerya Petrova Members Aleksey Kanchev, Borislav Velikov, Daniela Ankova, Rusi Nikolov, Tacho Pashov Regional policy: Co-Chairman Mariana Iteva, Stefan Vasilev Secretary Valentina Radeva Members Anton Andronov, Blago Blagoev, Boris Radulov, Nikolay Ivanov, Nikolay Kirov, Pavel Dikovski Tripartite cooperation: Co-Chairman Lukan Lukanov, Stefan Vasilev Secretary Ivelin Zhelyazkov Members Georgi Minchev, Nikolay Slavchev, Stoycho Simov, Trifon Trifonov Human resources: Co-Chairman Bogdan Ugarchinski, Boyko Nedyalkov Secretary Rositsa Steliyanova Members Kalin Yonchev, Kolyo Raynov, Kostadinka Markova, Krasimir Georgiev, Nadia Vassileva, Nikolina Uzunova, Stoycho Simov, Haralambi Anchev, Tsvetana Yankova 4

7 Transport: Chairman Georgi Minchev Secretary Petya Zapryanova Members Georgi Bonin, Ivan Angelov, Ilze Atanasova, Nikola Hristov, Plamen Prodanov, Yovko Yotsev Agricultural policy: Chairman Dimitar Madzharov, Yavor Gechev Secretary Valeriya Petrova Members Bogdan Borisov, Dilyana Slavova, Georgi Vasilev, Mihail Tachev, Nedyalko Kolaksazov, Rusi Nikolov, Yordan Gospodinov Tourism: Co-Chairman Kancho Stoychev, Milcho Bliznakov Secretary Valentina Radeva Members Dimitar Dichev, Ivanka Dancheva, Haralambi Anchev, Zdravko Kostadinov, Zhelyu Dushev Culture and creative industries: Chairman Nikolay Doynov Secretary Ilka Spasova Members Boyko Nonev, Iskra Radeva, Vladislav Simeonov Higher Education and Sience: Co-Chairman Boyan Boychev, Rumen Atanasov Secretary Rossitsa Steliyanova Members Bogdan Ugarchinsky, Dimiter Gishin, Iliya Keleshev Health Services: Chairman Nikolay Boltadzhiev Secretary Dobrin Ivanov Members Anatoliy Kanev, Boyko Georgiev, Lyupcho Kochovski, Petya Georeva, Yordan Kamenov Small and Medium Enterprises: Chairwoman Eleonora Negulova Secretary Valentina Radeva Members Daniel Delchev, Dimitar Hristov, Hristo Lazarov, Petar Ivanov, Plamen Yonchev Services of General Interest: Co-Chairmen Georgi Belovski, Deyan Daneshki Secretary Teodor Dechev Members Mariana Iteva, Pavel Petrov, Radoslav Dimitrov, Vladimir Vladimirov CONTROL BOARD Bozhidar Neychev Chairman of the Control Board SEE Managing Partner, CEE Corporate Finance Leader of PwC Bulgaria Borislav Kirov Member of the Control Board CEO of Consult Engineering Group Ltd Daniela Ankova Member of the Control Board CEO of Dans Pharma Ltd Petar Ivanov Member of the Control Board Chairman of Bulgarian Association of the SMEs Petya Georeva Member of the Control Board Chairwoman of Association of Occupational Medicine Rositsa Trichkova Member of the Control Board Member of the Governing Board of Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Bulgaria Katya Krancheva Member of the Control Board Chairwoman of Association of the Accountants and the Accounting Companies 5

8 GOVERNING BOARD Vasil Velev Chairman of the Governing Board Executive director and Member of the Board of Directors of Stara Planina Hold Plc. Kancho Stoychev Vice-chairman of the Governing Board Chairman of the Associating Made in Bulgaria Nikola Zikatanov Vice-chairman of the Governing Board Member of the Directors Board of Zlaten Lev Holding Plc. Rumen Radev Vice-chairman of the Governing Board Economic Director of Holding Zagora Ltd. Boyko Nedyalkov Member of the Governing Board Executive director of Torgoterm Plc. Boyan Boychev Member of the Governing Board CEO of BMG Ltd. Daneta Zheleva Member of the Governing Board CEO of Industrial Holding Bulgaria Plc. Mariana Iteva Regional Director Industrial Development of Veolia for Central and Eastern Europe and Member of the Board of Directors of Sofiyska voda Plc. Stefan Vasilev Member of the Governing Board Chairman of the Governing Board of Nash Dom Holding Europe Ltd. Milena Angelova Secretary-General 6

9 BICA ACTIVITY Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association is recognized as a representative organisation of employers at national level and actively participates in the formation of basic policies and measures for their implementation in the field of macroeconomics, economic growth, employment, education, public health, tax rates, social and pension insurance, industrial and export strategies of the country, reduction of the administrative burden and other issues concerning the social-economic environment. For the last three years BICA was playing a core role in the preparation and verification of the following important national documents: National Agreement between the Government and the nationally representative employers and trade union organisations for the development of draft for updating the anti-crisis measures package on the basis of analysis of the updated macroeconomic framework (the so-called anti-crisis measures); National Employment Pact; Measures for ensuring the long-term financial stability of the Bulgarian pension system and improving the adequacy of pensions, as well as a proposal for increasing the length of service and age, limiting the leaks in the social insurance system, increasing the capital pillar, thus increasing labor tax or the insurance contributions, the gradual increase of the maximum insurance income and the implementation of differentiated income for the self-insured people; Draft of the State Social Insurance Budget Act and the proposal for immediate reform of the pension system; Concept for better health care and draft of long-term strategy for employment of disabled people; Ensuring the effective operations of the Commercial Register. BICA initiates numerous meetings, discussions and forums aimed at creating a better business environment with representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, including the commissions of the National Parliament, with the Council of Ministers and all sector ministries, the Financial Supervision Commission, the National Employment Agency, the Privatization Agency, the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency and others, as well as with representatives of the Bulgarian and international financial institutions and organisations, of the political powers that are represented in the parliament, etc. The Association continues its participation in the social dialogue at the national and international level - with its work of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, in СЕЕР - the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services and in the International Labour Organisation, where it stands for the interests of the Bulgarian business when it comes to modifying the regulations and the administrative practices. In the field of social insurance relations, BICA established itself as a spokesperson of the basic proposals for changing the parameters and terms of the pension reform and the size of the insurance. With its active role in the signing of the National agreement for a new strategy of the financial stability of the public social insurance and improvement of pension legislation, BICA once again proved its constructive role as an employers organisation. BICA representatives took part in and undertook numerous initiatives such as: Discussions of issues on the price formation being regulated by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission that are of great social significance; Proposals for the modification and supplementation of the Professional Education and Training Act regarding career orientation; Discussion of a draft for the modification and supplementation of the Act for guaranteed receivables of employees and workers in case of employer s insolvency; Discussion of the problems in the food voucher system; Discussion of the National agreement on the regulation of home jobs in Bulgaria; Discussion of a draft of the National agreement on the performance of remote jobs in Bulgaria; Discussion of modification and supplementation of professions list of professional educationand training; Discussion of issues related to unused days of the paid annual leave from previous years; Issues that were put up for discussion by the National Association of Municipalities inbulgaria; Issues regarding the Rural Regions Development Programme etc. 7

10 TRIPARTITE COOPERATION Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association participates in the work of all authorities that are established on the tripartite principle, including: National Council of Tripartite Cooperation; Economic and Social Council; National Economic Council; Consultative Council for Industrial Stability and Growth Monitoring Committee of the Partnership agreement of the Republic of Bulgaria for the programming period , and the MC of the relevant programmes to it: Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Human Resources Development ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Innovations and Competitiveness ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Regions in Growth ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Transport and Transport Infrastructure ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Environment ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Good Governance ; Monitoring Committee of Operational Programme Science and Education for Intelligent Growth ; Monitoring Committee of Rural Development Programme ; Monitoring Committee of Maritime and Fisheries Programme ; Joint Monitoring Committee of Programme for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey ; Joint Monitoring Committee of Programme for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia ; Joint Monitoring Committee of Programme for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia ; Commissions and authorities in the National Parliament; Consultative Council to the Council of Ministers for EU Funds Management; Supervisory Board of the National Social-Security Institute; Management Board of the Fund Labour Conditions ; National Council for Labour Conditions; Supervisory Board of the Fund for guaranteed receivables of workers and employees; Regional Policy Council; State fund for guaranteeing the stability of the state pension system (Silver fund); Supervisory Board of the National Health Insurance Fund; National Innovation Fund; Board of trustees of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Branch and municipal councils for tripartite cooperation; Guarantee fund at the Bulgarian Stock Exchange Sofia JSC; National Corporate Governance Commission; Management Board of the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training; Consultative Board on the pension reform at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; National Council for Employment Promotion to the Minister of labour and social policy; National Statistical Council at the National Statistical Institute; Consulting Board at the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission; Commission for the registration of the labour medicine services; National Council for Tourism; National Council for Labour Inspection at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; National Consulting Board in Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food; Supervisory Board of the National Institute for Conciliation and Arbitration; Boards of trustees of the funds for supplementary mandatory pension insurance and for supplementary voluntary pension insurance; 8

11 Council to the Executive Director of the National Employment Agency; Committee for supervision of the EEA financial mechanism; National agency for evaluation and accreditation Commission for ensuring the quality of agency s operations; National Council for Science and Innovations; National Labour Migration Council to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; Accreditation Council of the Executive Agency at the Bulgarian Accreditation Service; National Council for Disabled People Integration to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; National Consulting Board for workforce s professional qualification; National Council on the issues of social inclusion at the Council of Ministers; Consulting Board on the issues of Corporate social responsibility at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; Consulting Board of the partners upon the Memorandum for cooperation and interaction between the Financial Supervision Commission and non-governmental organisations in the non-banking financial sector; Council for social assistance at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; National Council for Gender Equality; Consulting Board for the uniform implementation of the tax and social insurance legislation at the National Revenue Agency; Consulting Board on the issues of corporate social responsibility at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; Advisory committee on occupational health and safety at the European Commission; Advisory committee on vocational training at the European Commission; Tax policy council at the Minister of finance; Regional employment commission; Investor compensation fund. EUROPEAN FUNDS AND PROGRAMMES BICA continues its successful work in the active presentation of its positions and opinions, and their implementation in practice, via its representatives in the Monitoring Committee of the National Partnership Agreement and all the relevant Monitoring Committees of the operational and national programmes. The main achievements in this field could be summarised as follows: the acceptance of numerous particular proposals of the Association that relate to the improvement of the EU funds absorption, human resource development, competitiveness promotion and strengthening the administrative capacity of social partners. The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association has made several proposals that have been considered by the competent authorities and institutions, and have already become part of the system. Another success of BICA was the acceptance of the proposals for increasing amounts of advance payments so that the beneficiaries received more funding for the implementation of projects and the initial costs related to them. Also, particular proposals were accepted for modifications in the legislation that regulated the appointment of sub-contractors. The Association provides information and technical assistance to its members for applying with projects that aim at improving the competitiveness of enterprises, the qualification of human resources, innovation development, environmental protection, etc., as well as their implementation. Among the more significant achievements of the Association are the successfully implemented projects at a national and international level: fighting informal economy and corruption; corporate management and corporate social responsibility in Bulgaria as well as in Europe; improvement of human resources qualification; enrichment of Bulgarian labour market and facilitation of the immigrant s integration; social dialogue development and the participation of civil society in the development and implementation of policies and others. BICA was a member of the working group for the development of Partnership agreement of the Republic of Bulgaria for the programming period It was signed by each memberstate of the European Union in order to ensure the mutual intensification of the national and European funding effect. It defines the policies and measures that guarantee the balance of the strategy of the Union for intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth, integrated approach towards the territorial development, supported by the funds of the Common Strategic Framework. The Partnership agreement unites all responsibilities of a particular country for achieving the European objectives. BICA representatives are participating in all Monitoring committees, national programmes and programmes for cross-border cooperation for the new programming period

12 CAPITAL MARKETS BICA unites over two-thirds of the listed companies and providers of services of general interest in Bulgaria. It is the only organisation in the country that protects their interests. The twentyyears active participation of BICA in the process of creation and update of the regulations and administrative practices on the capital market and in the field of public services makes it a competent, reliable and irreplaceable partner of the government. Hence, the Association initiates meetings, discussions, round tables and expresses opinions and positions on the issues related to the capital market development. BICA is a collective member and deputy chairperson of the Governing Board of the Association of Bulgarian Investor Relation Directors (ABIRD). Both associations have joined their efforts in order to establish the National Corporate Management Code and to popularise the socially responsible corporate practices. The proof for the good work between both organisations is the acceptance and implementation of many proposals related to the modification and supplementation of the Public Offering of Securities Act. Since 2010 BICA and ABIRD have participated in the Consulting Board at the Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission by signing a Memorandum for cooperation and interaction between the Financial Supervision Commission and the branch organisations in the nonbanking financial sector, in the Consulting Board on the issues of Corporate social responsibility at the Minister of labour and social policy and in the National commission for corporate management. Since 2016 BICA is a member of the Council for development of the capital market in Bulgaria - official platform for cooperation between organisations in the non-banking sector. ASSOCIATION OF THE ORGANISATIONS OF BULGARIAN EMPLOYERS As a permanent member and rotating chairperson of the Association of the Organiсation of Bulgarian Employers (AOBE) that unites the employers organizations represented at national level in the country, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association successfully coordinates the common positions of the Bulgarian business on important issues for improving the social economic environment, having established itself as useful moderator during the negotiations between social partners. The role of AOBE is of great significance as it represents the Bulgarian employers in the International Organisation of Employers and participates in the formation of the employers quota in the International Labour Conference where international labour standards are formulated and verified - as conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation. BICA holds the Presidency of AOBE for BICA actively participates in the work of the International Labour Organisation and as a representative it reported on behalf of all Bulgarian employers at the 96th session (in 2007), at the 97th session (in 2008), at the 99th session (in 2010) and at the 103rd session (in 2014) at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. 10

13 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (СЕЕР) As a member of the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (СЕЕР) - an official partner in the social dialogue with the European Commission, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association maintains regular contacts with the institutions and advisory authorities of the European Union, participates in the preparation and modification of regulations, directives and other legislative acts that define the European business climate. BICA representatives participate actively in the consultations on the European semester, on the Annual growth survey in the EU, on the negotiations in the field of social issues, competitiveness and other important areas. Since 2011 PhD Milena Angelova (Secretary General of BICA) has been the deputy-chairperson of СЕЕР. In 2015 she has been reelected for a second mandate. International Organization of Employers (IОЕ) BICA is a member of the International Organisation of Employers and therefore of the International Labour Organisation. The International Organisation of Employers protects the interests of the business at international forums as it strives to strike the right balance between labour and social policy, and the accelerated economic growth. The membership in the International Organisation of Employers improves BICA s expertise in the national social dialogue. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) The Association has representatives in the European Economic and Social Committee and that opens a possibility to express opinions on issues related to the economic and social policy of the European Union and to participate in the political life of the Community. BICA representative has been vice-president of the employers group in EESC since The Representatives of Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association participate in the sessions of the European Social Fund and the Ad Hoc group at the European Social Fund in support of the social partners, thus providing better information about the opportunities for utilising funds from the European Social Fund. International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE) In 2009 Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association joined the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs which has an official statute in the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), as well as official relations and long-term cooperation with the International Center of Scientific and Technical Information, the International Union of Commodity Producers thus expanding its international contacts. Via its representative in the presidium of ICIE, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association participates in the decision-making process at the highest level concerning the protection of industrialists and entrepreneurs interests, the coordination of their activities towards marketoriented reforms and directly participates in the development of the national economies and adequate legal framework and development of the interaction mechanism between the participants in the market economy. Some of the main directions of the activity of the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs are about rendering consulting, legal and scientific assistance to the members, as well as the development and implementation of scientific, industrial, investment programs and projects. International coordinating council of employers unions In 2010 BICA became one of the organisation-founders of the International coordinating council of employers unions that was joined by employers organisations represented at a national level from thirteen states of Eastern and Central Europe. The council is an advisory authority. Its goal is to cooperate in establishing sustainable relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the national unions of employers and entrepreneurs, in exchanging experience in the field of regulating social labour and the related economic relations, as well as on other issues of mutual interest, in account of the similar economic problems the states in the region are facing. The Association maintains effective contacts with the commercial and economic offices of all embassies of foreign states in Bulgaria, as well as with the Bulgarian embassies in most countries. Mr. Vasil Velev was rotating president of ICCEU for

14 BRANCH STRUCTURE The activities of the enterprises that are BICA members cover almost all branches of the Bulgarian economy. BRANCH STRUCTURE R&D; 1% education and culture; 2% security; 3% media and advertising; 1% sports and entertainment; 1% agriculture, forestry and fishery; 7% food industry; 3% textile and clothing; 3% public services; 13% wood-processing, furniture manifacturing; 9% design and information technologies; 3% chemistry, cosmetics and pharmacy; 1% financial-investment and insurance; 3% transport; 7% machine-building and metal items; 20% tourism; 6% trade; 4% energy, electronics and electric equipment; 7% construction; 6% 7% 3% 3% 9% 1% 20% 7% 6% 4% 6% 7% 3% 3% 13% 1% 3% 2% 1% 1% agriculture, forestry and fishery food industry textile and clothing wood-processing, furniture manufacturing chemistry, cosmetics and pharmacy machine-building and metal items energy, electronics and electric equipment construction trade tourism transport financial-investment and insurance design and information technologies public services R&D security education and culture media and advertising sports and entertainment 12

15 PRIORITIES OF THE BULGARIAN INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL ASSOCIATION FOR The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, taking into account the current issues and problems of the members of the organisation, will work for the implementation of the following priority policies. 1. Macroeconomic policy Definite prevention of any attempts to revise the currency board mechanism - both in terms of exchange rate level and in terms of time constraints, mitigating conditions, etc. Periodically, in times of political and parliamentary crisis, taking advantage of public discontent, voices are being raised against the currency board mechanism with the specious explanation that economic growth in Bulgaria can be facilitated through the use of controlled inflation process. This argument is deeply flawed and categorically harmful to our society BICA will consistently and systematically provide strong support to the existing monetary model in our country Financial stability and predictability by adhering to prudent fiscal discipline and implementation of the law on the state budget: BICA supports measures to financial discipline, balanced budgets and fiscal stability at low tax rates - these are the main factors for overall financial stability, for attracting investment and ensuring the conditions for economic growth. The predictability and stability of the tax policy in the country are essential for building and maintaining public trust and confidence; BICA invariably holds the position that maintaining the proportion of funds reallocated from the state budget below 40% is the most important incentive to improve the efficiency of state administration and it has a major anti-corruption effect; BICA will support the retention of flat direct taxes at 10 percent and the preservation of the dimensions and proportions of contributions to social security funds and the preservation of health insurance contributions; Equal tax dialogue process with the possibility of arbitration and agreement; Termination of the vicious practice of VAT recollection from legitimate traders under the joint responsibility rule instead of offending traders to whom it should be due; Transparency and efficiency in the spending of funds by parity representation of the government and social partners in the management and control bodies of public funds Effective control over public spending, as well as over companies with monopoly power resulting from state regulation: BICA consistently argues that only the effective public control over public spending is able to eliminate the established corrupt practices that cumulatively lead to substantial seizure and unfair redistribution of income; BICA supports the efforts to strengthen and develop the implementation of program budgeting. Well-structured program budgets of ministries and departments guarantee the efficiency of budget expenditures; As an organisation whose members are among the leading public companies in Bulgaria, and also being a member of the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises with Public Participation and of Enterprises providing Services of General Interest (CEEP), BICA has always strongly insisted that monopolistic companies should be required to disclose information under POSA. It welcomes the recent legislative changes to ensure this. The principles of the National Corporate Governance Code should be mandatory for these companies as they lead to publicity, traceability of pricing, transparency in the expenditure. Thus, civil society will have easy access to information to which it is legitimately sensitive. This measure will achieve a long-stabilizing effect on the whole chain of pricing of products and services that these companies provide. 2. Industrial policy. The guidelines for BICA s industrial policy implementation derive from the strive for the formation of a business environment that should be better compared to other European countries, in order to create conditions for accelerated economic growth. They include: 2.1.Active dialogue and collaboration with related employers organisations and social partners, government and public institutions in the development of positions with regards to the priorities in Bulgarian industry: Development of positions on current economic measures in order to ensure the implementation of strategic priorities; Enhancing and enriching the activities of the National Economic Council and Advisory Board for Industrial Growth and Stability (established by the Minister of Economy) with the purpose of implementation of policies and measures to promote the development of production; 13

16 Preparation of joint positions on procedures and implementation of projects financed from EU funds, including the National Partnership Agreement and operational and national programs; Development of action plans at sectoral level; Active and constructive dialogue between the NCTC and the bodies built on a tripartite basis; Promotion of the expansion of the partnership between the representative national organisations of employers and the government through the signing of bilateral agreements on business environment and economic development Improving the regulatory framework for the free development of business and promoting the launch and execution of business activities: Development of positions in order to achieve effective public administration; Maximum simplification of all procedures and services administered by the Government; Boost transparency of the procedures for awarding public contracts (inclusion of representatives of branch organisations in assessment commissions, extending the data entered in the register of public procurement), breaking the relationship between the contracting authority and the body performing the ranking; Consultations with all stakeholders in the drafting of legislation and introduction of a preliminary assessment of their impact, including on business environment; Establishment of integrated registries in order to relieve physical and legal entities from the obligation to prove data from these systems before the administration; Adherence to the information available in one state authority shall not be required by another principle, for example with regards to the entry of financial statements in the Commercial Register and dropping the requirement to present a certificate of conviction; Monitoring of the correlation between administrative regulation fees and administrative costs of their exercise; Application of the presumption of tacit consent principle the tacit consent principle shall be introduced in the legislation as a general rule for all cases, if not expressly stated otherwise; The regulatory regimes shall follow the minimum required by EU law and there shall be no complication of regulations by the Bulgarian state with standards and documents that are not required by European law E-government - speeding up the activities for the introduction of e-governance in order to allow the state to communicate with businesses and citizens transparently, more efficiently, improving the business environment and reducing the level of corruption Effective investment of EU funds for development of the Bulgarian economy: Participation in the implementation of strategic documents in the programming period of EU funding; Development of opinions and conducting active policies in the following areas: Developing the entrepreneurship, based on research, growth and innovation - Priority support for measures aimed at the development and implementation of product and manufacturing innovation; Increasing the competitiveness of Bulgarian enterprises through direct measures to develop managerial capacity, technological modernization, product diversification; Increasing the overall resource efficiency of businesses, including energy efficiency, optimisation of human resources, maximum utilisation of material resources and recycling options, prioritising the development of а green economy, including introduction of new technological solutions; Promoting the opportunities for cooperation between businesses, including the support for projects to develop cluster structures, sectoral integrated technological areas, resourceidentifiable manufacturing hubs, logistics centers, etc.; Prioritisation of sectoral policies in order to focus financial resources on strategic sectors with highlighted competitive advantages, higher value-added and export potential; Supporting of entrepreneurship and establishment of industrial infrastructure for sustainable development of SMEs; Stimulation and energetic support of entrepreneurs investing in modernization and/or development of production facilities and processes leading to a lasting improvement of technological capabilities for efficient production, through tax incentives, direct or indirect financial subsidies, indication of good examples, promotion of established practices, study visits at the premises, institutional support and demonstration of a sense of national interest in statesmanlike visits abroad, respectively reception of foreign delegations; 14

17 Development of adequate financial instruments for growth of enterprises and assistance inproviding additional resources to existing and new instruments both as grant opportunities and with gratuitous character; Development of measures to support entrepreneurship by means of exchange with international partners through participation in European projects; Participation in the development of qualification criteria for projects funded under operational programs Improving competitiveness conditions: Limiting pillaging and mismanagement in the Bulgarian energy sector and reducing electricity prices in the industry, including finding a solution to the problems created by long-term contracts for electricity generated by the so-called American power plants; Ensuring the irreversibility of the reform process in the energy sector - overcoming deficits and imbalances in the sector, construction of adequate energy infrastructure and reducing energy dependence; Development of opinions, coordination of legislative and regulatory initiatives and active application of positions in electricity pricing: Control over the administratively determined price components, in particular, the determination of the public service obligations component, including monitoring of the functioning of the security of power system fund; Control over commercial practices of electricity producers, traders and distribution system operators in order to ensure open, fair market mechanisms priority application of commercial transactions through the platforms of Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange JSC; Institutional and organisational strengthening of the established Economy into the Light National Centre. Promoting measures for rapid implementation of administrative and criminal sanctions against infringements in order to limit the grey economy and corruption; Effective regulation of monopolistic activities and effective implementation of the legal provision requiring monopolistic companies, public service providers and government entities to disclose information as public companies, including through the strengthening of the Financial Supervision Commission; Supporting national political resources to resist the introduction of such common European policies, including tax harmonisation within the European Union, depriving the economy of competitive advantages; Establishment of clear rules and conditions for the implementation of public-private partnership with a view to expanding business participation in the financing and construction of objects of public state and municipal property through concessions and other forms of collaboration; Participation in the development of measures to overcome the intercompany indebtedness, including by increasing the efficiency of the judicial system and bankruptcy procedures; Targeting national and international financing, supporting small and medium enterprises in areas agreed by the social partners Promoting the export of Bulgarian goods and services: Economising foreign policy, i.e. conformity and subordination to the national economic interest; The Services on trade and economic issues relevant to overseas missions shall be fully available to Bulgarian business, with annual activity plans attested by the employers organisations; Development and implementation of a systematic program of awareness of business opportunities for successful introduction of Bulgarian goods and services in foreign markets; Targeting funds for targeted funding of small and medium enterprises in their initiatives for implementation of Bulgarian goods and services in foreign markets; Promoting the implementation of schemes to guarantee loans to export-oriented companies Fourth industrial revolution. BICA is seriously concerned by the lack of understanding and ambition for adequate positioning of the Bulgarian industry for more active participation in the fourth industrial revolution. Our country is placed last in the group of wavering countries, and the assessment is that Bulgaria is unable to guarantee the future of its economy. BICA will work actively for: Promotion of the European documents and programs for supporting the digitisation of production and services with the aim of active involvement of Bulgarian industry in the fourth industrial revolution; 15

18 Development of a national strategy for Bulgaria s place in the fourth industrial revolution and the overall digital market; Intensification of the international contacts to include Bulgarian companies in the composition of international consortia for supporting the digitisation of industry and services that will also be supported by funds under the Horizon 2020 programme. We guide the interest of software services to industrial applications; Attraction of foreign investors in manufacturing and services for assistance and leadership in the introduction of technologies of the fourth industrial revolution; Attraction of nationally represented industry organisations to issue a common MANIFESTO for the development of Bulgarian industry; Cooperation with social partners to peacefully solve the problems arising from the change of traditional business models and the possible export of value added from industry to services; Active implementation of the European Action Plan for egovernment on the digitisation of public services; 3. Policy for the development of capital markets Capital Referendum Programme - funding for the development of investment projects of substantial public interest, (including participation in international companies, creation of energy, industrial facilities and infrastructure projects) shall be made also by recruiting resource of organized capital market (e.g. Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Sofia AD) through issues of equity and/or debt securities with limits on the amount of direct government funding, consistent with public effect. This is the best and most market-driven way to give a definite answer to any doubts about the effectiveness and appropriateness of specific management (including political) decisions; Implementation of privatization deals mainly through the stock exchange, including minority stakes in state companies, such as: Bulgarian Sports Totalizator, Sofia Airport EAD, ADIS EOOD, Bulgarian Navy, Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, National Electric Company, Bulgargaz, Bulgartransgaz, Electricity System Operator, Maritsa East 2 TPP, Port Varna EAD, Port Burgas EAD; Support of the National Corporate Governance Commission as a permanent independent body established on the principle of public-private partnership for implementation of consultations and cooperation at national level on the issues of corporate governance; Promotion of the Code of corporate governance established with the active participation of BICA: Actions to support the adoption and implementation of the Code by BICA members and all public companies; Construction of a training institute for the management of public companies; Development of mechanisms to encourage the sharing of best practices within the Association; Development and presentation of guidelines for best practices in specific areas of corporate governance Development of mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the Code; Development of recommendations to regulators to improve corporate governance; Establishment of a system of encouragement of best practices and voluntary compliance to complement the existing purely sanctioning mechanism; Active participation in the improvement of legislation concerning capital markets, as well as in the pre-compulsory assessment of the impact of adopted legislation; Active participation in the development of issues related to the regulation and integration of European capital markets, while ensuring protection of the interests of Bulgarian public companies; Downward revision in the number of fees and commissions charged by the Financial Supervision Commission, Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Sofia AD and Central Depository AD; Lighter removal from the register of the FSC under certain conditions/criteria for companies taken off the Bulgarian Stock Exchange; Professional management of public assets (public funds, companies, real estate); Review of the restrictions on investment of assets of pension funds, including the Silver Fund and the introduction of minimum limits on investments in stocks, bonds or shares issued by Bulgarian companies, traded on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Sofia. 16

19 4. The policy of encouraging and supporting investment, research and development Placing of research and development as a top priority for Bulgaria by: Encouraging applied research; Support to stimulate R&D and innovation in enterprises; Investments in innovation and development infrastructure. Encouraging the investment process through a system of fiscal and structural measures; Active participation in the national innovation initiatives, including the National Innovation Council, advisory working groups, etc.; Participation in the main scientific organisation in Bulgaria - BAS, incl. in the Advisory Councils, and in particular in individual institutes and laboratories; Supporting the implementation-oriented research projects in priority areas and promoting the integration of research and production; Support for the launch of innovative enterprises through active policies to promote the development of risk investment in the country. Both the financial instruments provided in the new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, and new national funding schemes for financing public-private venture investment funds and supporting private venture funds, shall be used for this purpose; Creation of quality scientific infrastructure to successfully absorb the planned massive funds incl. by reviewing the status and functioning of the Fund for Scientific Research; The activity of the National Innovation Fund shall be fully subject to the requirements for applicability of the financed developments; Assistance to BICA members in the development of projects funded under the Innovations and innovation systems strand. 5. Policy on Human Resources 5.1. Education and training: Improving the skills of both the existing staff and new employees; Monitoring the mechanism for coordinating the admission plan and the subject areas of higher education system: Priority development of training in professions needed to develop the production and commercialization of innovations, and especially the technical education in secondary and higher education to receive the status of protected specialties in vocational schools, but also at the level of technical universities such as state quota and state scholarships in engineering fields and admission plan agreed with the employers; Defending the position to reduce the number of enrolled students for training in professions and specialties for which there is limited demand on the labor market and priority promotion of professions needed by companies; Encouraging and expanding the relationship between industry chambers, associations and companies, on the one hand, and higher technical schools on the other, to pilot the introduction of dual training bachelors in the most important specialists for businesses; Structuring of reliable guarantees for an employment commitment to the Bulgarian economy for a certain period of time, regarding students who complete their education with funding from the state budget (for example - for a period of 5 years); Active development of the vocational school-enterprise partnership model in accordance with best practices from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, including an evaluation of pilot projects and expansion of successful practices; Update of the curricula with the active participation of representatives of established companies, leaders in their field, incl. consultation with teachers, the introduction of the mentor position by those employed in the real sector, recruiting representatives of enterprises in the learning process - both in vocational schools and in technical universities; Development of programs by analogy with the existing New Beginning - from Education to Employment scheme of the EA and the ESF, as the range of funding partners, can also be expanded - there is an interest from parts of the business to self-financing such initiatives; 17

20 Individual incentives to build technical knowledge and skills by analogy with past practices following the example of the Center for Scientific and Technical Creativity of the Youth; Engaging schools with the realisation of staff trained by them on the labour market; Provision of qualified personnel, in close accordance with the needs of business; Promoting interdisciplinary education; Involvement of mayors, heads of major companies which form the industry in the municipalities, directors of secondary schools, labour offices and regional education inspectorates in order to bring the admission to professions and specialties according to the needs of the labour market, incl.: Limiting the state plan for admission of students to specialties for which there is no demand on the labour market; Optimising the network of vocational schools in the municipalities; Preparing proposals with the purpose of inclusion of the most important specialties for business development in the municipalities in the list of protected specialties; Promoting the realisation of staff in the country in terms of professions experiencing a shortage of specialists and increasing the immigration of foreign staff, particularly from countries and territories with Bulgarian minorities, by simplifying the mechanisms for blue card issuance Employment, income, security and labour laws: Achieving maximum flexibility in terms of working time, retirement, leaves; Active and committed participation in the work of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation regarding tabled labour laws; Reform of the system of occupational health services in the country; Reform of the medical and labour expertise; Complete health care reform with specified funding sources, program budgets, final and intermediate targets, deadlines and responsibilities; Effective market and competition instead of freezing the prices of medicines or subsidising them; Working to achieve the optimal balance between the levels of minimum wage and social benefits; The policy on income based on tripartite agreed targets, parameters and mechanisms shall have a direct impact on economic performance and increased the nominal productivity of labor overpay through annual negotiations between employers and unions: Halting the negotiation of minimum insurance income. BICA studies show unequivocally that the minimum insurance income/thresholds (MII) have already played their role and the practice around them reflects primarily negatively on the economy and the employment policy; Removing the administrative determination of the minimum wage and introducing direct negotiations on the minimum wage by sectors or economic activities between unions and employers, taking into account the regional specifics as well. A mechanism for objective, not administrative determination of the minimum wage; Removing the length-of-service salary increments (the so-called classes ); Studying the approaches, principles, and new forms of impact in determining the remuneration successfully applied in other countries; Encouraging voluntary negotiation at branch level on measures to limit or eliminate unfair competition; Focusing social assistance on the truly disadvantaged people - these include both low-income and needy people satisfying both the principle of justice and the concept of efficient management of scarce financial resources think first for the small and weak;both the principle of justice and the concept of efficient management of scarce financial resources think first for the small and weak; More efficient spending of social funds by limiting early retirement, review of categorization and scope of categorical incentives in the public sector, in particular military personnel, personnel at the Ministry of Interior and other specialised power departments, and definitive termination of disability pension and sick leave abuse; Termination of the abrupt and uncoordinated action on the pension reform and its continuation in a spirit of consensus with the social partners in order to ensure its real functioning and effective three-pillar pension system. 18

21 6. International Policy 6.1. Work within the framework of participation in the International Labour Organisation/International Organisation of Employers 6.2. Work within the framework of participation in the International Coordinating Council of Employers Unions (ICCEU): Expanding and strengthening the membership of ICCEU; Work for the development of the bilateral business contacts between members of BICA and members of the organisation of ICCEU Work within the framework of participation in EU organisation: Active work for the preparation of EESC opinions on issues of priority to BICA; Securing the positions and more active representation in the organs of CEEP; Possible membership of the structures of the composition of BICA in UEAPME Deepening the cooperation with UNIDO. Sharing best practices in terms of promoting corporate social responsibility; Participation of members of BICA in national, regional and global projects of UNIDO; Preparation of opinions when formulating common goals for sustainable development in the interest of the members of BICA. 19

22 NETWORK OF REGIONAL CHAMBERS The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association has a network of regional chambers that covers over 171 municipalities. They are individual divisions from the territorial point of view and their main purpose is to operate in achieving the targets defined in the Statute of the Association, in conformity with the specific conditions of the particular district or municipality, as well as to coordinate the efforts and to optimize the information flows of the members at its territory. Slivo pole Sitovo Silistra Vidin Tutrakan Ruse Lom Kubrat Kozloduy Dulovo Ivanovo Zavet Isperih Nikola Kozlevo General Oryahovo Belene Tsenovo Borovo Toshevo Hayredin Nikopol Svishtov Tsar Kaloyan Kaolinovo Knezha Dolna Mytropoliya Dve mogili Kavarna Razgrad Dobrich Iskar Pleven Opaka Byala Popovo Valchidol Loznitsa Montana Cherven bryag Levski Novi Pazar Balchik Hitrino Pordim Targovishte Suvorovo Aksakovo Gorna Oryahovitsa Shumen Devnya Berkovitsa Vratsa Lukovit Pavlikeni Strazhitsa Varna Provadia Mezdra Roman Antonovo Lovech Sevlievo Veliko Tarnovo Veliki Preslav Omurtag Godech Yablanitsa Smyadovo Beloslav Svoge Botevgrad Pravets Troyan Elena Varbitsa Dolni chiflik Dragoman Teteven Dryanovo Gabrovo Kotel Byala Kostinbrod Etropole Apriltsi Tryavna Slivnitsa Buhovo Sungurlare Nesebar Treklyano Zlatitsa Aytos Sofia Karlovo Tvarditsa Sliven Karnobat Pernik Kazanlak Nikolaevo Gorna Malina Stara Zagora Elin Pelin Panagyurishte Hisarya Radomir Bregovo Nova Zagora Burgas Ihtiman Kaloyanovo Bratya Daskalovi Yambol Sredets Kyustendil Samokov Saedinenie Rakovsky Dupnitsa Maritsa Radnevo Pazardzhik Plovdiv Chirpan Blagoevgrad Velingrad Stamboliyski Sadovo Dimitrovgrad Perushtitsa Parvomay Topolovgrad Asenovgrad Belitsa Bratsigovo Simeonovgrad Batak Rodopi Kuklen Harmanly Razlog Devin Haskovo Bansko Devin Liubimets Kresna Satovcha Chepelare Banite Mineralni bani Svilengrad Strumyani Garmen Dospat Borino Kardzali Madzharovo Smolyan Sandanski Goce Deltchev Madan Ivaylovgrad Petrich Hadzhidimovo Nedelino Stambolovo Zlatograd Rudozem Kirkovo Belogradchik Byala Slatina THE BICA MEMBERS ARE: ASSOCIATION BG STAFFING 1505 Sofia, 39A Sitnyakovo Boulevard tel е-mail: nadia.vassileva@manpower.bg Manager: Nadya Vasileva ASSOCIATION FOR MASS COMMUNICATION 1000 Sofia, 15 Lege Str., fl. 4 tel е-mail: dhristova@grainadv.com Chairwoman: Dimitrina Hristova ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INITIATIVES 9300 Dobrich, Dobrotitsa complex, bl.1, ent. A, ap. 6 tel е-mail: internationalbusiness@abv.bg Chairman: Deyan Petkov ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF BULGARIAN PRODUCERS AND TRADERS 1000 Sofia, 16 St. Nedelia Square, fl. 3 tel е-mail: office@pbmta.org Chairman: Daniel Delchev ASSOCIATION OF AGROECOLOGICAL FARMERS 1000 Sofia, 4 Saborna Str., entr. B, fl.2, ap. 4 tel agroecology.bulgaria@gmail.com Chairman: Aleksandar Atanasov 20