1. Business opportunities in Bulgaria
Alexandra Bacheva
CIBANK JSC, part of KBC group

2. Why Bulgaria?
Investment friendly
EU funds
Belgian society

3. 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

4. 1 EUR investment = 4 EUR!?
Over 11 BEUR EU subsidies for projects in Bulgaria
EU programs for various sectors and companies in different business stages
Applicable also to Belgian companies registered in Bulgaria
Investment in biscuit production line
Total cost: EUR
EU subsidy: EUR
Purchase of agricultural machines
Cost: EUR
EU subsidy: EUR
“Struma” Highway
construction contract EUR

5. 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

6. Well developed Belgian-Bulgarian relations
Bulgaria is among the top 10 importers in Belgium
990.9MEUR ( ) - 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

7. Turn your challenges into opportunities
Challenges in Belgium?
Opportunities in Bulgaria!
Limited possibilities to expand production?
New markets?
High operational cost?
Investment support / EU programs, available (industrial) plots and buildings
Geographical expansion
Improving margins through:
(partial) outsourcing ,Joint- ventures & subcontracting

8. Solvay Success stories Solvay
In 1997 Solvay, Belgium bought 60% of the soda factory in Devnya Motivation for launching business in Bulgaria - proximity of raw materials and the convenient transport corridors (Varna West Port) €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

9. 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.

10. 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 and 2014
The formula for success is the well- known internationally brand, expertise of the group combined with strong local management.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Your success story in Bulgaria is waiting for you!

14. Head International Network Desk
Alexandra Bacheva
Head International Network Desk
Corporate Banking
Tel:
GSM: