The Product of the Year Bulgaria 2025

 What sets true innovation apart? How do groundbreaking ideas turn into market leaders?

The Product of the Year Bulgaria 2025 award is now open for applications—closing March 15, 2025. 

Recognized in over 45 countries  since 1987, this award celebrates innovation that truly makes an impact.

Why participate?

• Stand out from competitors
• Gain insights from 5,000 real consumers
• Boost sales by up to 25%
• Strengthen brand trust & recognition
• Unlock major media & PR opportunities

If your product or service launched in the past 24 months, this is your chance to shine. Winners will be revealed on April 15, 2025, at InterContinental Sofia and gain exclusive rights to the “Product of  the Year” logo for a full year.

Apply now and put your innovation in the spotlight!

For details, contact:
📧 Sofia Toteva | s.toteva@premium.bg 
📧 Irena Komitova | i.komitova@premium.bg 

The British-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the British Embassy Sofia, Vivacom, and Nedyalko Apostolov, BBCC ambassador in Blagoevgrad, from Baker Tilly Bulgaria successfully hosted a Business Forum in Blagoevgrad under the patronage of the Municipality of Blagoevgrad. The event brought together key stakeholders from business, government, and education to explore opportunities for trade and investment in the region.

Key Highlights:
Insightful discussions on bilateral trade trends between the UK and Bulgaria, led by experts from the UK Department of Business and Trade and BBCC.
An engaging success stories panel featuring local business leaders sharing their growth journeys and best practices.
A forward-looking conversation on partnerships between business and higher education, with contributions from American University in Bulgaria and SWU “Neofit Rilsky.”
A discussion on local business opportunities with Mayor Metodi Baykushev and BBCC member companies.

A big thank you to all our speakers, partners, and attendees for making this forum a success! We look forward to seeing the new partnerships and business ventures that will emerge from this event.

West Midlands Growth Company, the strategic economic development agency for the West Midlands region in the United Kingdom, is promoting the Global Growth Programme—a unique, fully funded UK market entry initiative. Designed to support international tech companies in investing, establishing, and scaling quickly, the programme spans multiple industries and offers a tailored nine-month support package for ambitious businesses at all stages of development. 

The Global Growth Programme provides three layers of comprehensive value for innovative companies that includes bespoke business support to assist international expansion, access to sector specific innovation programmes, and nine months of sponsored workspace for up to three employees in one of six world-class innovation hubs across the region.

If you would like to connect with a team member at WMGC, please email Jordana.ellis@wmgrowth.com for more information.

BBCC’s Chair – Miroslava Kostadinova was invited by Bloomberg Bulgaria to speak about business and trade relations between Bulgaria and the UK. Miroslava Kostadinova highlighted on the Chamber’s impact and growth over the past 10 years, and reflected on the most challenging moments.

You can watch the full interview here.

Rochester Group have prepared a new set of facts and figures on the UK market.

Find the full document attached below.

Hilton Sofia is excited to offer two wonderful opportunities to celebrate the special day.

Latino Night with live entertainment on International Women’s Day at Regale Bar, Hilton Sofia

Celebrate International Women’s Day with dancing, music, and Latino vibes at Regale Bar! 

Step into the heart of Cuba with the sensational Cuban singer Darlin Rodriguez and a captivating show featuring Latin dancers! 
Get ready for a night of hot rhythms, signature cocktails, and unforgettable moments! 

Date: March 8
Time: 8:00 PM 
Location: Regale Bar, Hilton Sofia
Entrance fee: 20 BGN
Book now: +359 2 933 5064 or click here.

Ladies’ brunch at OXBO restaurant, Hilton Sofia

Sundays are for relaxing… and celebrating!   

Ladies, every day can be Women’s day! Treat yourselves to an elegant brunch at OXBO restaurant! Delight in a buffet with delicious dishes, a welcome glass of prosecco, and a special gift just for you. 

Date: March 9
Time: 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Location: OXBO restaurant, Hilton Sofia
Entrance fee: 79 BGN per person
For reservations: +359 2 933 5062

In the last week of March 2025, students from Maple Bear School will establish the first-ever direct radio contact between Bulgarian students and astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program.

The connection will take place between March 24 and 28, 2025. A week before the event, the exact date and time will be announced on https://spacecontact.bg/, where the live broadcast will also be available.

The website provides fascinating information about the ISS, space challenges, and amateur radio, along with NASA images.

The conversation with the astronauts will last about 10 minutes. As the ISS passes over the students, they will ask their questions from Earth and receive answers directly from space.

The event will be streamed live at https://spacecontact.bg/

“The idea to apply with a Bulgarian school for the ARISS program came about a year ago when I became passionate about amateur radio. Before that, I never imagined the ISS could be so accessible to us. Thanks to the collaboration between LZ1KRN – Neterra’s amateur radio club – and Maple Bear School, we are making this idea a reality. The students will have a unique opportunity to speak directly with astronauts on the ISS, inspiring many to pursue science, technology, and hopefully amateur radio,” said Mariyan Rangelov, a member of Neterra’s amateur radio club (callsign LZ3MAR) and Neterra’s CFO.

“I have always believed that a person is as big as their dreams. That is the mindset we embrace at the start of every school year at Maple Bear,” said Lilyana Nikolova, founder and director of Maple Bear Sofia School. “Everyone needs to dream and strive for something greater than themselves. Experiencing a scientific achievement like the ISS through the ARISS program is an incredible opportunity for our students to believe that dreams are achievable. It takes courage, imagination, and hard work.”

“ARISS is yet another opportunity our school provides for learning beyond the classroom. We believe real-life experiences inspire children to learn and explore the world. This project is a shining example of how we can spark their curiosity about science through hands-on experience. We are grateful to Neterra’s amateur radio club for the invitation, as well as their support and enthusiasm, which made this wonderful project possible.”

To prepare for this extraordinary event, a series of educational seminars will take place in March. Speakers will include Viktor Marinov, one of Bulgaria’s leading amateur radio operators (callsign LZ1NY), and Neven Dilkov, an amateur radio enthusiast (callsign LZ1COM) and founder and CEO of Neterra. They will share knowledge, experience, and interesting facts with students, covering topics such as radio waves, antenna construction, and radio communication principles.

About ARISS

ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) is a program that allows students worldwide to establish direct radio contact with astronauts on the ISS, fostering interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

About Maple Bear School

Founded in 2020, Maple Bear Sofia is part of the global Maple Bear Canadian Schools network, the world’s largest school group with a presence in 39 countries across five continents, over 400 schools, and more than 60,000 students.

At Maple Bear, the child’s holistic development – physical, intellectual, emotional, and social – is at the core of the learning process. The school’s educational approach nurtures a lifelong love of learning and key 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, innovation, and digital literacy.

About LZ1KRN Amateur Radio Club

Founded on June 14, 2017, by Neterra employees, the LZ1KRN amateur radio club promotes knowledge of technology and fosters friendships worldwide. Club members participate in international competitions and organize interactive radio workshops.

Neterra is a global provider of connectivity, telecommunications solutions, and IT assets management. The company has won the “Best Connectivity Provider in Central and Eastern Europe” award at the Capacity Global Connectivity Awards in both 2023 and 2024.

PwC’s “From Manager to Leader” programme is designed to equip participants with the essential skills needed to navigate and manage people effectively in uncertain times. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, globalisation, and evolving workforce demographics, organisations face unprecedented challenges and complexities. In this dynamic environment, the traditional top-down leadership approach is no longer adequate.

The programme consists of 3 modules each focused on a different aspect needed for the successful development of and thriving in the manager’s role:

• Module 1: Why Leadership?
• Module 2: The Role of Followers
• Module 3: Change

The programme’s principal lecturer is Mr. Tim Kemp, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience as a leadership and management coach, author, programme designer, and facilitator.

If you would like to learn more about the programme, please see the link below or contact our team at: bg_pwcacademy@pwc.com 

For more information about the programme, please visit: https://www.pwc.bg/en/pwc-academy/portfolio/leadership-and-strategy/manager-leader-programme.html 

To secure your place, register here: https://www.pwc.bg/en/online-forms/academy-training-courses-registration.html 

The Recursive invites you to contribute to an important research initiative on High-Net-Worth-Individuals (HNWIs) and investment portfolio management trends in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The Recursive has partnered with the Money In Motion research project, aiming to gather insights from key stakeholders in the CEE investment ecosystem. 

By taking the Money In Motion survey and sharing your perspective you will help build a clearer picture of how wealth is managed and invested in the region.

These are the final days to take part in the Money In Motion (MIM) Survey — a regional research initiative exploring how high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) invest and move their wealth across CEE.

🕛 The survey closes at 00:00 on March 31 – don’t miss the chance to share your perspective. It takes approximately 10 minutes, and all responses are strictly confidential.

▶︎ Click Here to Take the Survey

The MIM Survey is supported by leading partners such as ROCA X, VERTIK Group, BSE, FBN Bulgaria and Hungary, Endeavor Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, CEE Wealth Summit, BAC, BVCA, Growceanu, 0100 Emerging Europe, and Money Motion. 

For any questions or partnership interest, contact:
📩 Dilyana Haralanova – dilyana@therecursive.com

Workforce import from third countries is becoming a strategic priority for Bulgarian businesses, especially in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transport and logistics, where the shortage of workers is noticeable. Companies no longer see this process as a short-term solution, but as a long-term strategy for stability and growth. Bulgaria can build on the experience of Western Europe, which has used different models to attract foreign workers for years. While some of these practices have proven successful, others have shown weaknesses that Bulgarian employers can avoid by managing the whole recruitment, integration and retention process more effectively. Manpower Bulgaria have invited to “In our focus” Georgi Klisarski, International Mobility Consultant from our team, who will share his expert opinion on this hot topic.

Geographical expansion of the workforce

In 2024, most work permits and visas were issued to nationals from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and India. The expectation for 2025 is that companies will turn their attention to new markets, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, where employees are beginning to prove themselves as loyal, responsible and upstanding in the performance of their contracts.

At the same time, the UAE and Qatar are emerging as key sources of skilled professionals with international experience, particularly in construction and logistics (international drivers). These countries produce workers with good technical skills and experience of working to international standards, which facilitates their adaptation to the European market.

In parallel, due to lower wage expectations, interest in workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan will also increase. They can respond to the growing demand in various industries and fill gaps in sectors that have traditionally experienced staffing difficulties.

Focus on quality and staff integration

Bulgarian employers are increasingly aware that hiring foreign workers is not just a matter of filling vacancies, but part of a sustainable business model. More and more companies are willing to invest in the integration and upskilling of foreign staff instead of relying on a high turnover pattern.

Successful integration requires structured adaptation and onboarding programmes. More and more employers are developing effective methods to introduce new employees to the workplace and social environment, facilitating their long-term commitment and increasing their productivity.

Challenges of working with international workers

Despite clear trends towards increasing demand for international workers, there are several key challenges that companies need to consider:

• Difference in qualifications and expectations – Careful recruitment planning and pre-assessment of candidates’ competencies is required to avoid a misalignment between the expected and actual level of training.
• Language and cultural adaptation – Although many foreign workers are motivated and adapt quickly, language barriers and cultural differences can hinder communication and the effectiveness of the work process.
• Sustainability – Providing competitive conditions to retain the interest of workers already in the country.

Optimising selection and integration processes

Although businesses are the main drivers of the recruitment process, streamlining procedures and improving conditions for integration can be supported by different stakeholders.

     How can companies improve their attraction and retention processes?

• Introduce adaptation programmes – Companies that develop structured onboarding and integration processes will have a higher success rate in retaining staff.
• Better recruitment planning – Clear selection criteria and collaboration with trusted recruitment agencies reduce the risk of discrepancies between expectations and reality.
• Focus on skills – Investment in skilled professionals can provide greater added value for companies in the long term.

     How can institutions support the process?

• Digitalising administrative procedures – Introducing online platforms for work permit and visa applications will reduce the bureaucratic burden and speed up the processing of documents.
• Increase the capacity of diplomatic representations – Expand the possibilities to process documents and conduct visa interviews in Bulgarian consulates and embassies in key labour source countries.
• Legalise and regulate the leasing of staff – Creating a new legal framework for hiring and leasing staff will give businesses more flexibility in managing their workforce and facilitate the integration of foreign workers into different industries.

In conclusion, expanding the geographic scope of the workforce, investing in adaptation and development, and better planning and management of the process will be key to successfully attracting and retaining international staff in Bulgaria. We have the opportunity not only to compensate for the shortage of staff, but also to establish ourselves as an attractive destination for the international workforce in the long term.