Бизнес

A few weeks ago representatives of 4 wood processing companies from Velingrad and Rakitovo visited Italy. At the same time, representatives of the tourism industry from Velingrad visited Scotland. In both countries our businessmen gained experience for the requirements of Europe in their sector, and their trip was carried out under the project of the National Business Development Network "Increasing the competitiveness of Bulgarian companies in accordance with the Lisbon Strategy". The project went through several stages, and a final conference is to be held in Sofia in September.
For the impressions and lessons learned in Italy and Scotland, the participants told at a press conference on June 27 at the RDA-CBI. Mrs. Stela Vasileva on behalf of the furniture manufacturers said that during the visits of the Italian companies they have concluded for themselves that we are not far from their level, but the Italians work with a lot of new equipment. With our outdated equipment, the difference in standards is 10 times, while in Italy for the purchase of new machines there are good leasing schemes, tax breaks and help from the state. There, the woodworking companies are united in clusters at the horizontal and vertical levels and thus cover the whole process from cutting, edging, assembling to the final product. While in Bulgaria the production is fragmented and the companies are not united. We are also behind with the level of communications, with the organization of trade, in which many intermediaries go through. The goal should be series production on demand, with Italy focusing on the overall furnishing and not on individual orders as with us. The Italians are leading in design, but the price is decisive, and here we are competitive, our furniture manufacturers said. The most reassuring thing for them was that the EU would not ask Bulgarian companies for pre-certification even before we were members of the union.
Many useful meetings and contacts were also reported by the tourism sector. Daniela Dafova from Vesinel Guest House told about their visits to the Scottish capital Edinburgh and the famous castle, in the largest old hotel on the North Sea coast Old cors hotel, in Scottish spa hotels, in Sheraton restaurant and of course - in the distillery of Scotch whisky. According to Ivan Rangelov, they have a name, but in terms of SPA tourism specifically, we are ahead and offer better conditions. Vanya Manolova, manager of the Olympus Hotel, agreed with this. The citizens of Velingrad were impressed by the tourist staff training college, which is renowned as one of the best in the industry and prepares all kinds of staff for the tourism industry. Our staff could also be trained there, but it is too expensive, so at least co-financing from the European funds should be sought. Vaska Milusheva reminded that the capital Edinburgh after the mines closed and was a dying city, but with EU money they managed to turn it into a tourist destination. We need to learn how to ask for money from the EU with quality projects, she stressed. Mrs. Milusheva also told about her visit to Sweden on a project for the developed market of organic products and how organic farming can also develop as a tourist attraction.
"Don't copy from us, keep your originality" - this was the advice of the Scottish hosts to our travel companies. It is gratifying that in Scotland and Ireland Velingrad is not an unknown name as we are included in a tourist guide.
On behalf of all project participants D. Dafova expressed her gratitude to the ARP-CBI and to the British Council.
Elena Baeva