On 15th February 2013 an International Conference on topic "Standardization of quality: To better market experience" took place in Haskovo. The conference was held as a part of the two-year project “Market Control” which is funded under the "European Territorial Cooperation Greece - Bulgaria 2007-2013". 

The project aims to promote the processes of standardization, certification and market surveillance in the border regions of Bulgaria and Greece and aims to reduce the differences between the regions in terms of effective control of the market. It also aims to enhance the cooperation between the two countries on their way to European integration and to increase the level of market control and protection of manufactured goods. 

The event, which was held in "Ivan Dimov" Theatre, was organized by Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Haskovo CCI has been implementing the project in partnership with the Greek International Business Association, the Hellenic Organization for Standardization and the Chamber of Professionals & Handicrafts of Rodopi, Greece. 

The International Conference was attended by over 400 participants including Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Bulgaria; Mr. Delyan Dobrev, the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism; Mr. Mesut Yilmaz, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey; Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Nikolay Nanev, the Deputy Regional Governor of Haskovo; Mr. Georgi Ivanov, the Mayor of Haskovo; Mr. Ivo Dimov, the Mayor of Dimitrovgrad; MPs representing the region; other Mayors from the region; representatives of partner organizations from the UK, Russia, Greece and Turkey; representatives of the local business and major Bulgarian companies; organizations, institutions, citizens and the media. The event was attended by numerous representatives of foreign missions in Bulgaria – the Ambassadors of Denmark, Poland, South Africa, Moldova, Kosovo and Slovakia, as well as trade representatives and advisors of Austria, Poland, Russia and the Consul General of Turkey. 

As opening of the conference, the President of Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Yancho Yanev, made a brief address to the guests and participants, by paying particular attention to the results from the fruitful cooperation with the project partners under “Market Control”. 

The Executive Vice President of the Greek International Business Association in Thessaloniki (SEVE), Mr. Anastasios Aleksandridis, presented the main activities, pursued objectives and achieved results within the joint project. 

The Director of the "Center for Testing and European Certification" Ltd., Ms. Blagovesta Shineva, presented the results from the extensive survey regarding the needs of businesses in Haskovo region in terms of certification, standardization, conformity marks and management systems. 

The Director of the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELΟΤ) from Thessaloniki briefed the conference participants with the opportunities for embedding management systems and implementing market surveillance in terms of conformity marks. 

Mr. Sotiris Serdenis from the Chamber of Professionals & Handicrafts of Rodopi, Greece, reported the results from a survey made in Rodopi Region, Greece, regarding the establishment of joint testing laboratories and common conformity marks for both cross-border regions. 

After the results from the project were presented, the participants of the event were welcomed by the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Mr. Delyan Dobrev. The Minister introduced information about the Operational Programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007-2013", as well as, information about the current schemes for grants to the guests. The business representatives in the hall took active part by sharing opinions and asking numerous questions to the Minister. The President of BCCI, Tsvetan Simeonov, presented to the Minister Dobrev a summary of the requests and business proposals of the enterprises on a number of pressing issues. 

As a special guest of the International Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Bulgaria, Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov made a presentation on "Improving the business climate with a focus on small and medium enterprises and security - a prerequisite for attracting investments". At the end of the conference, the Minister awarded the Mayor of Haskovo, Mr. Georgi Ivanov, with a statuette of Hermes, made by sculptor Stavri Kalinov and with a diploma from the BCCI, in recognition of the support provided to the business in the region and the hospitality shown during a number of international business forums and meetings. 

The conference was broadcasted directly from the theater hall, thanks to TV "Aida Haskovo" and was made available to the huge television audience in the region.

Invitation

Programme


PRESENTATION: 

Results from the Research Made on the Needs of the Enterprises in Haskovo Region in terms of Certification, Standardization, Conformity Marks and Management Systems 

“Management Systems, Conformity Marks & Laboratory Tests: Possibilities & Implementation” Dr. George Bamopoulos coordinator, project market control: Greece-Bulgaria

Harmonisation of the legislative framework in Bulgaria and Greece, in terms of standardisation of the quality, as a prerequisite for successful market experience

Chamber of Professionals & Handicrafts of Rodopi (CPHR)

Greek International Business Association (SEVE)