The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) discussed its key priorities with more than 30 of its coordinators for South Bulgaria. These include business climate improvement, accelerated resolution of human resource shortages, plan-adopters in vocational and tertiary education, opportunities to support Regional Innovation Centers, comprehensive energy reform.

During the meeting, the regional coordinators of the most representative employers’ organization had the opportunity to discuss the opportunities for interaction between the business and the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Employment Agency. Special guests of the event were Deputy Minister of Education Tanya Mihailova, directors of directorates, chief and state experts from the listed ministries.

“In the past year BICA was among the main drivers of a number of measures aimed at significantly improving the economic environment in our country. I am also referring to the reforms in the professional and tertiary education and the measures that we have started to overcome the shortage of human resources and many other initiatives in which we will continue to work towards their realization, “said BICA’s chairman Vasil Velev.

To improve business climate, the employers’ organization will continue to work to accelerate eGovernment, curb state intervention in the economy, improve regulatory work, and reduce administrative burdens on business. According to BIC Bulgaria needs to take all necessary measures to join the ERMII, Schengen and OECD.

During the meeting the opportunities for support of Regional Innovation Centers were presented. The opportunities for building and developing modern research and innovation infrastructure will facilitate the accelerated economic and social development of the Bulgarian regions. The aim is to establish associations of at least three enterprises and at least one scientific organization, thus creating the necessary synergy between business and science.

Particular attention was paid to the mechanism of admission plan in vocational schools and vocational training classes as well as proposals for changes in the Higher Education Act. According to the Association, joint action among all stakeholders is needed to increase the attractiveness of key economics specialties, which are expected to have a serious shortage of qualified staff in the coming years. Among the suggestions are an increase in the role of business in determining part of the content studied, the opportunities for dual learning and the awarding of scholarships to the students of the respective majors. Students from these key majors who are studying “state order” may be awarded scholarships for financing their education and for monthly maintenance but on the condition that they work for a certain period of time in Bulgaria or for a Bulgarian company.

As one of its most important priorities, BICA has identified the energy reform. The association was ready to provide full support to experts in the development of a new energy law introducing full liberalization of the market as well as adopting a balanced national energy strategy by 2030. In addition, BICA will insist on the discontinuation of State aid to “American power plants” , the responsible market behavior of the Bulgarian Energy Holding companies, and the strengthening of the control by KEVR against the market abuses of the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange.