13.02.2023 / APACCCEEC presented new opportunities for SMEs in Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, and Kardzhali
APACCCEEC presented its activities and current projects in a series of business-oriented seminars on the 7th of February in the city of Plovdiv, the 8th of February in the city of Pazardzhik, and the 10-11th of February in the city of Kardzhali. The seminars brought together more than 80 guests, including representatives of academic circles, local businesses, regional institutions, entrepreneurs, and students.
The presentation of new opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises in Plovdiv took place at the Agricultural University Plovdiv, with the vice-rector of the university Assoc. Prof. Boryana Ivanova giving a short speech in support of this type of events that support the trade and economic prospects between CEE and China. Among the highlights on the agenda of the seminar was the pilot project of APACCCEEC “Accelerator program for start-ups in the field of agriculture between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe” with a prize fund of 50 000 euros.
Apart from that, Mr. Latchezar Dinev, Chairman of the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented opportunities for financing tractors and other agricultural attachments which are produced in Bulgaria and help farmers. The possibilities for exporting food products and cosmetics to the Chinese market were also discussed.
In the town of Pazardzhik, the seminar was held at the Forum Hotel, and among the guests was the Regional Governor of Pazardzhik, Mr. Trendafil Velichkov, who officially greeted the organizers and the attendees. The participants in the event had the opportunity to view the tractors and other attached equipment on site, which benefits the businesses in the agricultural sector. On focus was also the pilot edition of the Accelerator program for agricultural start-ups, as the Q&A session gave an opportunity for the participants to get acquainted with the initiative.
The third seminar was on the topic of “Opportunities to support entrepreneurs and SMEs” and it took place in the building of the Regional Administration, in the city of Kardzhali. The seminar began with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
In addition to the “Accelerator program for startups in the field of agriculture between China and the CEE countries”, the “Coworking” cross-border accelerator program was also presented by Assoc. Prof. Todor Yalamov, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University. The “Coworking” program also included training of young entrepreneurs.
Separately, the participants in the seminar learned about the advantages of tractors produced in Bulgaria that will help farmers, as well as good practices in doing business with China, as the meeting ended with a discussion.
APACCCEEC thanks to its partners from the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Agricultural Advisory Service, Agricultural University Plovdiv, Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Pazardzhik, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, National Company “Industrial Zones” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Kardzhali, for the outstanding cooperation in the organization of these seminars which encourage the development of SMEs.
