Investing in Bulgaria - Website
 
New York City - Thursday 21st February 
 
 
08:00
Speakers’ Private Breakfast
08:15
Registration & Breakfast
09:00
Opening Remarks
 
Courtney Fingar, Editor fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group   
09:05
Keynote Government Addresses: Bulgaria as an Investment Centre 

Presentation topics include:

  • Why foreign businesses invest in Bulgaria 
  • Bulgaria's political and business climate
  • Key competitive advantages: strategic location, access to markets and a skilled workforce 
  • How Bulgaria's tax regime and cost of doing business compares with other potential investment destinations 
  • Key growth sectors   

Borislav Stefanov, Executive Director, InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA)  
Elena Poptodorova, Ambassador to the United States, Republic of Bulgaria  
09:50
 
Global Investment Data Analysis – fDi Approach
  • Use of statistical data to shape investment strategies
  • Global perspective on FDI
  • Top sources for investment, leading sectors and major projects in Central and Eastern Europe
Courtney Fingar, Editor fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group   

10:05
Investment Case Study
  • Why Bulgaria was chosen as an investment destination
  • The reality of doing business in Bulgaria
  • Sector trends and opportunities
Thomas Higgins, CEO, Empower Capital
10:35
Networking break
11:00
Opportunities for Growth in Central Europe 
  • Recent business developments in the CEE member states of the EU
  • Near-term business opportunities
  • Long-term opportunities
Gallina Vincelette, Senior Economist, Europe and Central Asia Region, The World Bank
11:25
Panel Discussion: Doing Business in Bulgaria – What Investors Need to Know 

Presentation topics include:

  • What does Bulgaria offer corporations looking to start or expand operations overseas, especially in Europe? 
  • What are Bulgaria's competitive advantages in terms of location, workforce and infrastructure? 
  • What are the key areas of growth?
  • How can investors benefit from the Bulgarian R&D tax incentives and funding? 
  • What are the key legal, regulatory and tax considerations for corporations doing business in Bulgaria?  
  • How are investors' interests protected? 
Roman Vasilev, Innovation Strategy Consultant, World Bank; Member of the Board, American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria; Member of the Board, Electric Vehicles Industrial Cluster, Bulgaria 
Milan Pandev, Partner, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov (DGKV)
Valentin Georgiev, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria
Joel Morse, CEO and Co-Founder, C3i 
Michael Karsch, Private Investor in Bulgaria
Elena Tonkova, Director, Nadezhda Women's Health Hospital, Sofia 
 
Moderated by:  Courtney Fingar, Editor, fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group   
12:55
 
Closing remarks
 
Courtney Fingar, Editor fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group   
13:00 Networking Lunch
 

   
Project “Promoting the advantages of investing in Bulgaria” BG 161PO003-4.1.01-0001-C0001, with beneficiary InvestBulgaria Agency, has been implemented with the financial support of the European Union through the European Fund for Regional Development and the national budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.
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