Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) and the VMRO MEP candidates discussed the opportunities of Bulgarian representatives in the new European Parliament to work to improve the business climate and support Bulgarian industry and SMEs. On the eve of the election, the employer organization sought the candidates’ position on the “10-point Plan for a competitive industry for a sustainable Social Europe”. The document was prepared by the European sectoral employers’ organization CEEMET, which employs 49% of EU manufacturing workers.

B representatives asked each of the future Bulgarian MEPs to work together with the social partners to ensure better investment of European funds in the next Multi Annual Financial Framework, by revising the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises, facilitating state aid regimes and – fair agricultural policy to the new Member States. They insisted on taking into account the views of business and social partners when setting funding priorities and formulating and implementing important policies through joint actions by social partners.

“BICA has been alarming for years about the growing problem of human resources shortages and works systematically to bring the reception plan in Bulgaria in line with the demand on the labor market, and to increase the attractiveness of professions with a key to Bulgaria’s competitiveness importance and prevention of the leakage of specialists abroad. However, these crucial reforms will only come to fruition in a few years. On the other hand, the demographic picture and trends make it clear that the only realistic approach to dealing with the deficit is the recruitment of third parties. For this purpose, the so-called A Bulgarian card (not a European Blue Card) that entitles you to reside and work in the country for a period of 5 years”, said a Vice Chairman of BICA Nikola Zikatanov during the meeting. Mr. Dzhambazki agreed that the shortage of human resources is an acute problem and stressed and there is a need to actively work with the Bulgarian diaspora to provide education and work opportunities in Bulgaria.

According to employers, consultation with industry must become a natural reflex of politicians at all levels and serve to find solutions to the problems of the real economy. This will ensure that it is fit for global competition and provides quality jobs, funding social Europe. Particular attention was also paid to the need to encourage SMEs and to implement support measures, especially with regard to access to finance and to meet the challenges of digitalisation.

According to Nikola Zikatanov for the voters, the position of the candidates for the 10-point Plan will be a very important guide in deciding who to vote for. The European industry – metalworking, mechanical engineering, electronics, ICT and related technologies – depends on the overall presentation of the overall EU economy. He added that for a sharp increase in education, better health and higher pensions, there should be productivity gains that require the combined efforts of managers, employers and workers.

BICA firmly stated that the European social model can only be supported by a globally competitive European industry and recalled that, although 7% of the world population lives in Europe and generates 22% of world GDP, the 28 countries, Member States account for 40% of social spending worldwide.

Other topics discussed by the BICA and VMRO representatives were the possibilities of joining forces for an active promotional campaign to elect Bulgaria as the seat of the European Labor Authority, the termination of state aid for the so-called. US headquarters, reducing the EU’s over-regulation on business, securing our country’s membership of the OECD.