Industry: Development and production of spare automotive parts for engine cooling and vehicle air conditioning
In Sofia since: 2013
Employees: 400
Investment: BGN 42,5 million
The German global leading automotive parts manufacturer Веhr-Неllа Тhеrmосоntrоl (ВНТС) will increase its production capacity in Bulgaria by launching its fifth production line in its plant in Bozhurishte Economic Zone.
ВНТС has reported increased customer demand – the supply contracts signed with new customers require capacity expansion, which will be met by the opening of a new production line in the industrial area on the outskirts of Sofia.
The exact amount of the investment is not specified, but it will probably cover the construction of a completely new production hall to the current plant, where some 200 new employees will work.
Industry: German global discount supermarket chain
In Sofia since: 2010
Employees: 2 300
The German supermarket chain Lidl chose Sofia to be its fourth location in Europe to open a high-tech IT development center. The Lidl Digital unit starts with a team of 25 people. In addition, it is planned to further grow with 100 more specialists to handle IT solutions serving all markets where the chain also sells online as a complementary service to the physical location of the stores.
Lidl chose Bulgaria among other European countries due to the availability of highly qualified IT specialists and the dynamic development of the sector in the country. The company also has development centers in Germany, Spain and Romania.
“The fact that such center will also be opened in Bulgaria is an exceptional recognition and pride for us. This proves the successful and sustainable development of our business and the great trust we have won to manage such important projects for Lidl”, Milena Dragiyska, CEO of Lidl Bulgaria said in the official press release of the company in Bulgaria.
Lidl is a retail leader in Europe and has been present in the Bulgarian market since 2010. The chain has 87 stores in 46 cities in Bulgaria and two logistic bases. The company employs about 2 300 in Bulgaria. It plans to add another 300 people to its team by the end of the year, for 7 new stores in the country.
For its 7-year presence in the country, Lidl Bulgaria established a sustainable partnership with Bulgarian food producers using traditional Bulgarian recipes. A month ago, the company announced double growth in the sales of products under the Rodna Stryaha brand over the last year. It also said that the Bulgarian producers generated profit of more than BGN 15 million from sales of products through the chain’s stores in 22 other countries. Lidl Bulgaria works with 31 Bulgarian suppliers for the Rodna Stryaha brand and 20 Bulgarian companies sell through the chain outside the country as well.
On April 13, Sofia Investment Agency organized a conference dedicated to the benefits and opportunities for the Bulgarian business in implementing a Digital Single Market. Many issues were discussed during the conference, such as the challenges in providing experts prepared to work in a high-tech environment, and the future EC policies and regulations in terms of digital technologies and society.
The “Business Sofia 2018 – Digital Horizons” conference gathered the top 100 Sofia companies. Special guests of the event were the EU Commissioner on Digital Economy and Digital Society Mariya Gabriel, the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, the MEP Andrey Novakov, the Labor and Social Policy Minister Biser Petkov and the General Manager of Hewlett Packard Bulgaria Iravan Hira. Moderator of the discussions was Vladimir Danailov, CEO of Sofia Investment Agency.
EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel revealed the main clauses that will be included in the next bill of the European Parliament. Some of the topics were officially presented to the European Parliament days after the “Business Sofia 2018 – Digital Horizons” conference.
Here are the strategies and proposals of the European Commission announced during the conference:
Artificial intelligence (AI)
A proposal will be made to create a European Artificial Intelligence Alliance, to be set up in June 2018. The Alliance will enable institutions, civil society and businesses to identify good practices and to determine future steps together. The experts will be selected through a public procedure and the Alliance is expected to be operational as of September. According to the EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, the AI strategy is important because Europe continues to be the global leader in terms of robotics and has to keep its position. “It is important to address issues that are related not only to technological capacity, but also to topics that directly affect the business, the labor market and the citizens. That is why our strategy will focus on boosting Europe’s technological capabilities, but we will also raise ethical issues such as what is the responsibility and who has the rights”, the EU Commissioner on Digital Economy and Digital Society said.
Digital skills and labor market
As of June 2018, the European Commission will launch a new pilot project that will enable between 5 000 and 6 000 students to benefit from cross-border internships of 4 to 5 months in the field of modern technologies. The
The mobile application “Citizens” (Grajdanite) that allows reporting to institutions is with an updated interface and new functionalities. The application was launched in 2015 and Sofia Municipality is a partner in the development of the platform, through which more than 82 000 alerts have been submitted to state institutions by 62 000 citizens, not only from Sofia but also from all over Bulgaria.
The application turns into a new back-end platform with the following additional options for citizens:
- All surrounding alerts submitted in the area where the user is located can be seen on the map, after the user had specified his or her address. Filters that can help citizens to see only those types of alerts or institutions they need to see in a particular situation are also available.
- More categories of alerts can be submitted, compared to what the previous version of the app allowed
- Users are able to see which other citizens have supported their alert
- The iOS version allows notifications of electricity/water outages, street closures, events, etc., provided that the user has agreed to set their address
- On Apple devices, the platform automatically captures the location, time and date of the image made and uploaded to the alert through the platform
- Option to mass support alerts, turning them into collective alerts
- Notifications from institutions are received on all devices, on a user-specified e-mail
The new application’s options for institutions:
All innovations in the platform also apply to access by institutions, but there is also a specific innovation related to the access of the administration, as requested by the institutions themselves. A module for sending notifications of power/ water outages, street closures, etc. is opened. Thus, for the first time, institutions will also be able to inform citizens about planned activities in a certain residential district or area via the “Citizens” application.
Sofia started cooperation with Thessaloniki and Belgrade in the framework of the initiative to build a pan-European 5G network. Thus, the Bulgarian capital started its participation in the construction of a 5G corridor between Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece for connected and automated driving. Such corridors are being built between many other European countries, for example, between Spain and Portugal; France, Germany and Luxembourg have also announced a joint corridor, as well as Norway, Finland and Sweden.
The pan-European 5G corridor network is supported by the European Commission as part of its policy to build a network for greater connectivity in Europe. The 5G corridor network aims to cover hundreds of kilometers of highways. Their construction will turn Europe into the largest experimental territory for 5G technology capabilities. It is planned to conduct tests to a stage where the car will be self-driving, but a driver will be present under certain circumstances as well.
On April 13, Sofia Investment Agency organized a conference dedicated to the benefits and opportunities for the Bulgarian business in implementing a Digital Single Market. Many issues were discussed during the conference, such as the challenges in providing experts prepared to work in a high-tech environment, and the future EC policies and regulations in terms of digital technologies and society.
The “Business Sofia 2018 – Digital Horizons” conference gathered the top 100 Sofia companies. Special guests of the event were the EU Commissioner on Digital Economy and Digital Society Mariya Gabriel, the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, the MEP Andrey Novakov, the Labor and Social Policy Minister Biser Petkov and the General Manager of Hewlett Packard Bulgaria Iravan Hira. Moderator of the discussions was Vladimir Danailov, CEO of Sofia Investment Agency.
EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel revealed the main clauses that will be included in the next bill of the European Parliament. The new bill is expected to be officially announced on April 25.
Here are the strategies and proposals that the European Commission will introduce:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A proposal will be made to create a European Artificial Intelligence Alliance, to be set up in June 2018. The Alliance will enable institutions, civil society and business to identify good practices and to determine future steps together. The experts will be selected through a public procedure and the Alliance is expected to be operational as of September. According to the EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, the AI strategy is important because Europe continues to be the global leader in terms of robotics and has to keep its position. “It is important to address issues that are related not only to technological capacity but also to topics that directly affect the business, the labor market and the citizens. That is why our strategy will focus on boosting Europe’s technological capabilities, but we will also raise ethical issues such as what is the responsibility and who has the rights”, the EU Commissioner on Digital Economy and Digital Society said.
Digital skills and labor market
As of June 2018, a new European Commission pilot project will be launched that will enable between 5 000 and 6 000 students to benefit from cross-border internships of 4 to 5 months in the field of modern technologies. The aim of the project is to make a direct connection between
Dont’s miss out in Sofia in April:
SHELEADER@DIGITAL CONFERENCE, Apr 12, 2018
The Bulgarian Center of Women in Technology (BCWT), in partnership with the Ministry for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, is organizing the first SHEleader@digital conference dedicated to women’s role in the digital economy.
Top-ranked women leaders from all across Europe will discuss how to encourage and inspire more women and girls to enter professional and leadership roles in the digital industry.
The conference is part of the official calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and will be held under the official patronage of the Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mrs. Mariya Gabriel. The event will be opened by the minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU Lilyana Pavlova and Sasha Bezuhanova, Board Chair of BCWT and founder of MOVE.BG.
SHEleader@digital conference is organized in partnership with MOVE.BG, EDIT, Google, VMWare, Dell EMC, DSK Bank, Cisco.
The access is free, but only after a mandatory registration. Event website: https://www.sheleader.digital/
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BULGARIA WEB SUMMIT 2018, Apr 13-14, 2018
Bulgaria Web Summit 2018 is dedicated to Front-end, Back-end, UX, Design, Privacy, eHealth, WebVR, IoT, Ethereum, and Fun. The Summit will be held between April 13-14 with 800 attendees from 15 countries and 3 continents.
Attendees can choose among 4 different stages. Sessions, speakers and registration link at http://bulgariawebsummit.com/.
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22nd EUROPEAN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONFERENCE, Apr 19, 2018
The 22nd European Corporate Governance Conference will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria on April 19, 2018, endorsed by the Ministry of Finance and under the auspices of the Bulgaria Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The main theme of the conference is “Corporate governance towards a new culture for disclosure, transparency and anti-corruption“. The forum will be attended by high-level representatives of the Bulgarian state and the European Commission, leading European institutions and organizations in the field of corporate governance, authoritative European experts from the academic community and the media.
For more information, please visit https://www.businesseurope.eu/events/22nd-european-corporate-governance-conference
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BIODIVER-CITY: enhancing urban biodiversity and ecosystem services to make cities more resilient, Apr 24, 2018
The conference, organised by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the EnRoute project, aims to deliver a set of key messages and principles on how cities can
The WEBIT.Festival Europe 2018 team will let a group of young and ambitious volunteers join the activities behind the scenes at the prestigious festival to be held this year on June 26-27, 2018 in Sofia Tech Park. A total of 50 active, responsible and outgoing individuals with interest in the subject of the festival, namely global digital transformations, will be selected as volunteers. Their responsibilities will include organizational activities during the event, reception of delegates and speakers, provision of assistance to VIP guests, etc.
The volunteers outside the theaters will be busy only during one of the two days of the event. Those inside the theaters will be busy both days, and thus will be able to listen to all the presentations. A complete description of the requirements and the application form can be found on the website of the festival.
Webit.Festival 2018 is one of the most influential forums in Europe dedicated to business, technologies and innovations. Sofia is one of the annual locations of the prestigious festival together with Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore and New Delhi.
The theme this year is re:Inventing Europe’s Future. Again Webit Congress will gather top executives for a main planetary session, 12 parallel conferences, and a number of workshops and discussions on human health, digital infrastructure, smart cities, mobility and many more.
The programme, keynote speakers, attendees from 2017 and the registration form for 2018 are available at http://www.webit.bg.
PowerUp! by InnoEnergy
InnoEnergy, Europe’s largest sustainable energy accelerator, launched PowerUp! – the biggest regional competition for energy start-ups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
The competition calls for innovative ideas in sustainable energy, smart buildings, cybersecurity, tackling smog, cleantech. PowerUp! Offers financial awards up to €30,000 and an opportunity of a €150,000 investment.
Projects will be accepted until April 19th, 2018. The form has to be submitted in English. Website: http://powerup.innoenergy.com/en/
Pioneers into practice by Climate-KIC
Operating in eight European locations, the Pioneers into Practice programme runs from May through to November and consists of a 4-6 week placement (domestic or international), workshop programme and online training. Pioneers Programme brings together climate change professionals and organisations from across public, private, research & not for profit interested in applying innovations in the area of climate change.
Projects will be accepted until April 15th, 2018. Website: https://pioneers.climate-kic.org/
ClimateLaunchpad by Climate-KIC
The world’s largest cleantech business idea competition kicks off again – ClimateLaunchpad 2018 is now open for applications. Individuals, teams, start-ups, entrepreneurs and researchers are invited to submit their cleantech ideas. Entries are judged on their impact on climate change. The most promising entries gain access to Climate-KIC’s Accelerator programme and a cash prize of € 10 000. Projects will be accepted until April 30th, 2018. Website: https://climatelaunchpad.org
If you have any questions regarding the competition, you can also contact Cleantech Bulgaria, a non-governmental organization that coordinates the competition at a local level.
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The European Commission launched The European Social Innovation Competition. The competition calls all Horizon 2020 associated countries to come up with ideas including, but not limited to:
Initiatives that use new technologies and ways of working to provide opportunities for youth within their local communities;
Ideas that assist young people who wouldn’t have otherwise become innovators to create their own opportunities in their local environment;
Ideas co-created with young people to respond to requirements in their local community for skills, experiences and opportunities;
Solutions to improve the quality of life and financial security of young people in irregular work
Innovations that provide information, advice and guidance to young people so they can navigate their options in the new economy;
Programmes that equip the next generation of workers with skills that allow young people to harness technological change;
Ideas that are led by young people themselves are particularly encouraged.
30 semi-finalists
Our monthly newsletter provides information on upcoming international trade exhibitions and fairs where you can introduce your business to a professional audience and potential partners and customers. Registration for participation in such forums usually takes place weeks and even months before the start of the events. The trade fairs listed below will take place in June, so you have the necessary time to prepare your application.
Architect@Work France Lyon
07.- 08. June 2018 | Trade fair for architecture
Architect@Work France is a trade fair for professional visitors only: architecture, interior design, technologies, equipment, tools, installations and materials for house construction. It will be held in Lyon. The aim of the fair is to create an optimal environment for the development of contacts between architects, designers, interior designers, engineers and employees of local institutions. Presented are new technologies, equipment and materials in the market.
The Architect@Work France will take place on 2 days from Thursday, 07. June to Friday, 08. June 2018 in Lyon.
Website: http://lyon.architectatwork.fr/
all about automation, Essen
06.- 07. June 2018 | Regional automation trade fair
The “all about automation” fair in Essen, Germany, is focused on proven and successful products, turnkey solutions and powerful concepts of industrial automation technology. The exhibition linkes sales departments in the region with potential prospects and existing customers. The organization concept offers more time for talks, short distances to and at the fair and minimal organizational effort by all-inclusive packages for exhibitors and visitors.
The “all about automation” fair will take place for 2 days: from Wednesday, 06. June to Thursday, 07. June 2018 in Essen.
Website: www.untitledexhibitions.com
Automatica Munich
19.- 22. June 2018 | International Trade Fair for automation technology
Automatica is an international trade fair for automation technology, which takes place once a year at the fair in Munich, in the heart of Europe’s largest market for Robotics and Automation. International products at the core areas of assembly and handling technology, robotics, and industrial image processing are presented to the visitors; related technologies are shown as well. Automatica is the first international trade fair, where people can see all segments of the robotics and automation division. It is an independent event, where interested people find all kinds of automation technology under one roof.
Automatica will take place on/for 4 days: from Tuesday, 19. June
TEOCR Prague has extended an invitation to Bulgarian companies to participate in the Amper 2019 international fair. The deadline for submitting an application expires at the end of May this year, so that the team of TEOCR Prague will be able to negotiate preferential terms with the organizers and help with timely organization for the good performance of participants from the Bulgarian business.
The fair is an excellent opportunity for Bulgarian companies with activity in the field of electrical engineering, electronics and automation, enabling them not only to present their products as exhibitors, but also to make good business contacts as visitors, as well as to learn the latest trends at the numerous events during the fair.
If you are interested, you can send the following basic information to Mr. Georgi Stoilov at g.stoilov@mi.government.bg:
- The activity of the company, which you will represent or your name and contact information if you are interested to go as a stand-alone visitor at the fair
- Whether you are interested in visiting the fair or would like to join some of its accompanying programs
- Whether you want to have your own stand or you will participate in a shared stand with other Bulgarian exhibitors as a cost-effective option
Bulgarian companies and branch organizations will have enough time to prepare and can rely on the assistance of the Trade and Economic Office in the Czech Republic for consultations on the options for participation and the cost of the various options, as well as detailed information and assistance on important details for good presentation /arrangement of the space, way of presentation, provision of translation services, type of partners it is important to make contact with, etc.
You can contact TEOCR Prague at the above-mentioned email and contact person as well as through the accounts of the office in LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
More about Amper
The Amper International Fair is held annually and is one of the largest fairs related to electrical engineering, electronics and automation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Traditionally, the fair is a place to contact international partners, present own brands, establish competitive market positions, and last but not least it provides the opportunity to present new products not only at the fair itself but also through the media partners of the fair and through the site of the fair amper.cz. Thus, the effect of the fair exceeds
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Advisory Hub and the European Union (EU) have opened a window for participation in the “Advice for Small Business” program in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) willing to receive consultancy support for sustainable growth.
In the first two years, the program will enable more than 70 Bulgarian companies to gain access to up-to-date, local and international consultancy services in a wide range of areas such as strategy, trade and export promotion, financial management, resource efficiency, marketing, and many more.
Most local companies with a turnover in the range of EUR 0.5 – 50 million and less than 250 employees are eligible to apply for the program. In close cooperation with EBRD, the company’s first step within the program is to assess its needs and growth opportunities. Then EBRD puts the company in touch with a specialized consultant or an international expert who can offer the necessary expertise. The program refunds 67% of the cost of a consultancy project after its successful completion.
The program was launched in 1993 and is currently present in 27 countries, helping more than 20 000 companies grow their businesses, often recruit additional staff and gain access to external funding.
More information on how you can take advantage of this opportunity is available here: http://www.ebrd.com/knowhow/bulgaria