A total of BGN 3 mln will be allocated for furthering business contacts of SMEs

The Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EAPSMEs) will allocate more than BGN 3 mln to organize business missions by 2012. The aim is to help firms with export potential to establish contacts abroad. An analysis is yet to be made which countries the business delegations will visit. Germany, Austria, Russia and India are currently being discussed. Groups of 20 Bulgarian businessmen (one from every company) will visit not only the capitals, but also other regions that are important from an economic point of view.

"These missions may accompany major exhibitions worldwide," said the head of EAPSMEs Mariyana Velkova. This will help companies orient and enter a respective market. The agency will pay for the trips and accommodation, but only firms without liabilities to the Treasury will be eligible to participate.

EAPSMEs will also assist various companies to participate in more than 100 international exhibitions and fairs, again in the 2010-2012 period. At present, the financial crisis is pressing businesses and the interest towards participation in such events is not great. For example, 24 companies will attend the SIAL International Food Products Exhibitionin in Paris in October, while only 4 will go to GITEX in Dubai (focusing on Information Technologies).

Travel and accommodation costs for participation in the fairs shall not be paid by EAPSMEs, but the agency will assist with the installation of stalls showing the national identity and specifics of the respective branch.