BBCC Joines the Efforts of the Business Community for Amendments in the Euro Adoption Law

The introduction of the euro represents a significant milestone in Bulgaria’s economic development and integration into the Eurozone. However, the process must be governed by clear, predictable, and inclusive legislation that upholds the highest standards of democratic consultation, market transparency, and institutional accountability.

Over the past two weeks, the BBCC board and team have been closely following the public and institutional debate surrounding the Draft Law for the Amendment and Supplementation of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria. 

Numerous partner organizations have expressed detailed opinions, raising critical concerns and proposing constructive amendments to the current draft. Although these positions come from diverse stakeholders, they share common ground in terms of principles and priorities. 

BBCC formally supported the positions submitted to the Bulgarian government and parliament, by the following organizations -Transparency International – Bulgaria, The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association, The Institute for Market Economics and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. 

We fully endorse the arguments and recommendations articulated in their statements. In our view, they reflect the shared concerns of the broader business community in Bulgaria — both domestic and international — regarding transparency, legal certainty, the preservation of market principles, and the importance of stakeholder engagement during this crucial stage of euro adoption.

The results of the joint efforts of the business efforts have led to some significant changes between the two readings of the law, which was voted in Parliament on Wednesday. We remain committed to continuing the active dialogue between the business and government. 

On October 9, for the second year in a row, Business Agility Bulgaria – the largest event in the country focused on business agility and modern management – will take place at Inter Expo Center.

The conference brings together a strong and connected community of professionals, companies, and leaders who are committed to innovation, adaptability, and sustainable growth. It is an excellent platform for business exhibitors from various industries looking to position themselves as part of the future of business.

Organizers are offering preferential terms for exhibitors exclusively for members of the BBCC.

Email: bogoy.bogdanov@agilepool.com

Mobile: +359 883412071

Reacting to news on the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

“The signing of this agreement is a clear signal of the UK’s continuing commitment to free and fair trade. 

“It will open a new era for our businesses and boost investment between two of the world’s largest economies.  

“Key UK sectors which are expected to benefit include food and drink, industrial goods and automotives. Not only will they see lower tariffs now, but there will be further reductions over the next decade, creating stable conditions to expand UK exports to a fast-growing market. 

“Currently around 16,000 UK companies are trading goods with Indian companies, and there is high interest in our Chamber Network to grow that.  

“A stronger UK-India relationship also creates huge scope to raise our services exports, which already outperform our sales of goods. This deal will create new opportunities in the transport, travel, creative and business support sectors alongside traditional strengths in finance and professional services.” 

Richard Heald OBE, Chair of the BCC’s sister Chamber in India, the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), said:

“The UK-India FTA marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relationship. Businesses across both countries have long called for an agreement that reduces barriers, enhances market access, and creates a clear framework for long-term, sustainable growth.

“We congratulate both governments for their commitment and ambition in bringing this complex negotiation to fruition. Success in the FTA will support further economic growth for the world’s 5th and 6th largest economies. It will catalyse collaboration in other areas too. 

“UKIBC, and more broadly British businesses, recognise that a successful FTA is a critical milestone in a longer-term journey and are keen to support India’s ambitions. As a trusted partner to both governments and businesses, UKIBC has actively supported the FTA journey through consultation, policy input, and sector-specific insight.”

Source: British Chambers of Commerce

The largest pre-event of Business Agility Bulgaria so far gathered over 170 professionals.  They listened carefully to Boris Hristov, who shared expert insights and practical tips on impactful presenting, drawn from his extensive experience.

These events create a growing and connected community, made up of companies and professionals striving for innovation and adaptability. They also provide a valuable platform for business exhibitors from various industries who want to be seen as forward-thinking and agile.

The organizers are offering a special deal for members of the association.

Contact Agile Pool to learn more.
Email: bogoy.bogdanov@agilepool.com
Mobile: +359 883412071

By Miglena Ilieva, Managing Partner of ILEX Law Group, a law firm specialising in UK and Irish immigration law

With increasingly dynamic trade relations between Bulgaria, the EU and the UK, the topic of short-term business and professional visits is more relevant than ever. Whether it concerns truck drivers, professionals on assignment or participants in trade negotiations – it is essential to understand what is permitted under UK immigration rules.

Visit visas for third-country nationals: What is allowed?

Nationals of countries such as Turkey and Ukraine, which are not part of the EU, must apply in advance for a Standard Visitor visa when travelling to the UK. This visa is typically issued for up to 6 months and allows for specific types of professional activities without the need for a work visa.

Permitted activities include:

• Attending business meetings, conferences, and contract negotiations;
• Inspections of goods and services, including checking equipment and facilities;
• Participation in training sessions, short-term courses, and internal company briefings;
• Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers transporting international freight to or through the UK may enter on a visit visa if they are:
  • employed by a company established outside the UK;
  • carrying out international deliveries or transiting through the UK;
  • not residing in or working for a UK employer.

This is particularly important for the logistics sector, as drivers performing international haulage are not considered employed in the UK and are therefore not in breach of visa conditions.

Additional examples:

• Technical specialists may enter to install or repair equipment when this is part of a purchase contract;
• Consultants may provide internal training or analysis for their overseas clients, under certain conditions.

ETA for EU Citizens – simple, but important

EU citizens, including Bulgarians, do not need a visa for short stays in the UK, but as of April 2025 they are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.

When is ETA required?

• For all short visits of up to 6 months (tourism, business, training, etc.);
• When arriving by air or sea – even in transit;
• ETA applications are submitted online and are valid for two years or until the passport expires.

What to keep in mind:

• The form is completed online and requires a passport, personal details, and a brief explanation of the travel purpose;
• It is usually approved within 1 to 3 days;
• Applications must be submitted on time, as boarding will be denied without an approved ETA.

Visit visas allow for a broad range of professional activities – including international transport, technical support, business visits, and short training programmes. EU citizens benefit from the simplified ETA process, provided all requirements are met accurately.

Although the rules for short-term visits and professional activities in the UK may seem clear at first glance, in practice there are often grey areas where the line between “permitted” and “prohibited” is not so obvious. Seeking advice from an experienced immigration lawyer can help avoid entry refusals, future complications, or even travel bans. If you or your business are planning travel to the UK for professional purposes – it is always best to seek legal advice in advance.

Looking to for assistance with sending personnel to the UK or Ireland? Get in touch with Miglena at miglena.ilieva@ilexlg.com.

Correct as of 22 July 2025.

In his latest blog, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, takes a look at the latest developments on US tariffs, what they mean for UK businesses and what needs to happen next:

The end of June finally saw some tariff relief for UK companies exporting to the US, as the first elements of the Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) were implemented. 

Automotives 

Tariffs on automotive vehicles (cars and light trucks) from the UK were lowered from 27.5% to 10% within an overall quota of 100,000 vehicles per year. This has been split into 25,000 vehicles per quarter with any unused quota being carried over for a maximum of the following two quarters.  

For automotive parts, designed for usage with UK manufactured vehicles, the tariffs were also cut to 10% from the end of June. But welcome as this tariff relief is for automotive manufacturers, and their customers in the US, it is still higher than the 2.5% they faced in March. 

Aviation 

Aviation manufacturers fared better with tariffs on civil aircraft, parts and components reduced to zero from 30 June. This is for all parts included within the terms of the plurilateral World Trade Organisation Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, which both the UK and US have signed. Rules of origin are now intended to be developed to allow for long-term stability. 

Steel & Aluminium 

That is the extent of the good news for UK firms so far, and attention is now turning to the design and implementation of the steel and aluminium quotas within the EPD. These are meant to reduce to zero the tariffs on UK steel and aluminium, and certain derivative products of both.  

This is in the context of US steel and aluminium duties for all other countries, apart from the UK, being raised to 50% in mid-June. An initial assessment by the US has not yet yielded any change in the duties on UK steel and aluminium, so they remain at 25% for now, while negotiations continue.  

Essential conditions for implementation of US quotas on these products are that UK supply chain policy reflects US national security priorities. The key issue here is the ownership of primary steel and aluminium production assets in the UK (this is largely in connection with Chinese involvement in the Scunthorpe steelworks). Steel production was termed a vital national security issue for the UK in the recent National Security Strategy. 

Digital and Technology 

UK and US negotiators will also turn their attention to concluding an agreement on technology and digital trade. This has the potential to enhance co-operation on customs facilitations, data, AI and associated technologies. However, the issue of the UK’s digital services tax will likely have to be addressed. 

Copper 

The EPD contains other commitments of relevance to UK businesses given recent tariff developments in the US. On 9 July, President Trump confirmed that tariffs on imports of copper and derivative products, like conductive wires and cables, will rise to 50% from 1 August.  

Although UK exports of these products to the US are relatively small, the EPD contains a commitment to provide the UK with significantly preferential arrangements on the adoption of future tariffs introduced via section 232 investigations, as these are. This is dependent upon the UK ensuring the security of supply chains, and on meeting US concerns raised in those section 232 investigations. 

Pharmaceuticals 

On pharmaceutical tariffs, the President has proposed raising these massively to 200%. But he has said he will wait a year for further reports before implementing the measure. The UK has secured specific commitments on pharmaceutical tariffs within the EPD, with both sides intending to negotiate significantly preferential outcomes on these for the UK. Hopefully this will mean UK pharmaceutical firms face considerably lower tariffs, but any agreement will again by contingent on meeting supply chain security issues raised by the US. 

Reciprocal Tariffs 

For other sectors in goods exports, from food and drink, to chemicals, to construction goods, to clothing and textiles, the 10% US reciprocal tariffs have caused significant cost. This has placed pressure on revenues, profits and recruitment for UK businesses over the past three months. There is no commitment to lower these within the EPD, but it should be used as a platform to address this issue in future negotiations. 

Conclusion 

The EPD provides reduced tariffs in some sectors and creates some safeguards in others, and it puts the UK, for now, in a more advantageous position than other countries. Steel and aluminium tariffs are half the 50% faced by all other countries exporting these products to the US. The 10% reciprocal tariffs for other UK goods compare favourably against US announcements (unless negotiated outcomes are reached by the end of July) of 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, 30% on EU and South African goods, 25% on Japan or Malaysian goods, and 24% on South Korean goods from 1 August. 

But tariff relief is still needed across more goods sectors in the UK economy with exposure to US export markets. Services trade remains free of tariffs, but if trade in goods declines between the UK and US, services associated with that goods trade cannot be insulated from negative impacts either. UK exporters are resilient and want to see the best trading terms with our key trading zones of the European neighbourhood, the Americas, and Indo-Pacific. Now is the time for trade negotiators across the world to rise to that challenge.

Interested in finding out more? Check out the BCC’s US Tariffs Explainer for a full rundown on all the developments.

Introduction: Helping Empower Your Vision

This July, Mobile Wave Solutions are celebrating 11 years of work as a go-to nearshore technology partner, driving seamless digital transformation globally. 

With expertise across Entertainment, Hospitality, and Healthcare, our 150+ team delivers tailored software development, Business Process Outsourcing, and full-scale digital solutions. We deliver the expertise of a global firm, whilst staying agile, attentive and tailored. 

Follow us via LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on how we’re making an impact!

Some of Our Work 

From scaling fast-moving tech visions to transforming established platforms, we build high-performing digital solutions that last. 

One mobile client came to us stuck with rising costs and slow progress. We rebuilt their app to be smooth, scalable, and launch-ready, earning 5 star reviews and fast growth. Click here to find out more.

In hospitality, we partnered with Côte Restaurants to extend their in-person experience into the digital space. Creating a seamless digital platform, complete with third-party integrations, we reduced operational costs by 20%, improved load times by 30%, and increased user engagement by 25%. To read more about the collaboration, click here. 

With Racing Post, we’ve successfully supported a high-traffic mobile and web platform to bring horse racing fans closer to the action. This year, we helped them hit record-breaking numbers at the Cheltenham Festival. Explore the story here.

Behind The Tech

Ready to be inspired? Let us tell you about the people behind our tech. 

We are especially proud of how we have fostered growth within our own teams. From junior roles to leadership positions, many of our colleagues have taken the next steps in their career within the company –  some having been with us from day one. These long-term success stories are a true reflection of our supportive culture and our well-earned reputation for high employee retention.

At MWS, we are consistently guided by our core values, which have remained at the heart of everything we do for over a decade. Our commitment to excellence and empowering innovation helps us deliver outstanding results by maintaining the highest standards in every project, ensuring client satisfaction and long-term success. Within the workplace, cultivating employee diversity keeps our team strong, supporting and fostering a culture of respect and growth for all team members.

To read more about one of our employee’s journeys, click here to discover our Manual QA Ivelina’s journey. 

Our Culture 

Beyond the growth of our employees, our core values at MWS have guided everything we have done for over a decade. 

Our commitment to excellence and empowering innovation has ensured our team is driven by delivering quality results for our clients at every stage. We curate teams that are motivated by high-quality work that makes a real difference. 

We are also big advocates for cultivating diversity in our teams. In an industry that can often undervalue their contributions, over 40% of our workforce are women and we have an above 90% employee satisfaction rate amongst our team members. We foster respect, growth, and opportunity for everyone. 

At Mobile Wave Solutions, our culture goes far beyond the workplace. We empower our employees with the flexibility to work from different locations, strike a healthy work-life balance, and build lasting connections- with mentors, teammates, and friends alike.

Each year, we host over 50  events, team-building activities, and initiatives that bring our community together. From charity initiatives and volunteer projects to adrenaline-fueled challenges like the Legion Run and caring for our adopted beehive, there’s always a meaningful way to connect and contribute.

At MWS, we’re not just colleagues- we’re a vibrant, supportive community shaping the future together.

Looking ahead 

Our focus on innovation and excellence continues to drive us, and our clients, forward in an increasingly competitive digital world. Strategic collaborations, like our valued partnership with BBCC, open the door to new markets, stronger relationships, and shared growth. As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep building solutions that scale, inspire, and deliver long-term impact. 

Stay connected 

It has been an incredible journey – one made possible by the support of our partners, clients and team. To all partners, clients, and team – thank you for being part of the journey. Stay connected with us via our Monthly Newsletter and LinkedIn to get more behind the tech access, get the latest insights and explore emerging technologies. For career opportunities, visit our Careers Page. 

Let’s build the next wave of innovation together. 

In an increasingly dynamic business environment, companies in Bulgaria face the growing need to become more flexible and adaptive in their responses. Temporary employment is no longer seen merely as a short-term fix but is increasingly established as a strategic tool with long-term benefits.

In Bulgaria, temporary employment still accounts for a relatively small share compared to other European countries. According to some sources, only around 2–3% of employed individuals in Bulgaria work under fixed-term contracts, while the average level across the European Union is over 10%. Even if gradually, temporary employment is gaining popularity and demand.

For “In Our Focus”, Sonya Valkova, Professional Consultant at Manpower Bulgaria, shares insights into the growing interest in temporary employment from both employers and job seekers.

Temporary or permanent employment: a strategic choice

Traditionally, companies aim to build stable teams of permanent employees. However, when faced with the need for rapid capacity expansion, seasonal peaks, or specific projects, temporary employment provides the required operational flexibility.

TEMP solutions offer the possibility to quickly attract qualified professionals without long-term commitment while allowing better cost control. The main advantages of temporary employment are flexibility in human resource management, lower long-term costs, and the opportunity to assess employee performance before offering a permanent contract.

When flexibility matters more than long-term commitment

During periods of uncertainty or rapid market changes, hiring temporary staff enables businesses to remain efficient and adaptable. Instead of relying on rigid structures, companies can count on a dynamic resource that scales up or down according to their needs. This approach is particularly valuable for projects with defined timelines, implementation of new processes, or the launch of new business lines.

In Bulgaria, temporary staffing is increasingly adopted in the manufacturing and retail sectors, with growing trust from hoteliers and restaurateurs in agencies providing temporary workers. The construction and agricultural sectors are only beginning to explore such partnerships.

What do candidates want and what do companies expect?

With the growth of the economy and digital transformation, there is a rising interest in more flexible employment models. More and more young people and students prefer short-term assignments that allow them to balance education and work. At the same time, the increasing talent shortage is pushing employers to explore alternative staffing options, including temporary employment.

The profile of individuals opting for temporary roles is also evolving. Beyond young people and students, interest in temporary work is rising among professionals undergoing reskilling, parents, individuals between permanent jobs, or those seeking more flexible work arrangements.

Companies are not merely looking for “backup staff,” but rather for flexible, motivated, and adaptable employees who can add value from day one.

TEMP as part of a modern HR strategy

When well-structured and managed, a TEMP employment strategy brings concrete business benefits:

• Improved resource management;
• Reduced administrative burden;
• Access to a broader and more diverse talent pool;
• Opportunity to transition temporary employees into permanent roles after proven performance.

Temporary employment is no longer just a “plan B” – it is a necessity for resilience and competitiveness. Companies that recognise and integrate this model into their strategy build more agile, dynamic, and sustainable organisational structures.

The key to success lies in partnering with an experienced temporary staffing agency that selects the right candidates, prepared to meet business needs.

Bulgaria has officially been approved to adopt the euro from 1 January. Bulgaria will replace the lev, and will be sharing a currency with 20 other countries in the EU.

To guarantee a smooth transition, the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance and the Bulgarian National Bank have created a evroto.bg, a website dedicated to everything you need to know regarding the euro, and how it will impact citizens and businesses.

On July 2, 2025, TELUS Digital, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, hosted a Canada Day-inspired event at TELUS Tower in Sofia, highlighting the deepening economic and investment ties between Canada and Bulgaria.

The event brought together senior government officials, institutional leaders, and representatives from the Canadian and Bulgarian business communities for a strategic dialogue on trade, investment, and partnership.

A key highlight of the event was the participation of H.E. Gavin Buchan, Ambassador of Canada to Romania, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Moldova, who delivered a keynote address highlighting the strong partnership and growing economic ties between Canada and Bulgaria. His presence set the tone for a constructive dialogue on trade, investment, and shared values.

Additional contributions came from Mr. Alex Nestor, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, who opened the event with remarks on fostering bilateral trade and investment; and Mila Nenova, Executive Director of Invest Bulgaria Agency, who provided an overview of Bulgaria’s investment climate and strategic priorities. TELUS Digital was represented by Michel Belec, Chief Legal Officer, and Kristina Georgieva, Vice President of Operations for Bulgaria, France, Ireland, and Türkiye, who shared insights into the company’s global footprint and the advantages of operating in Bulgaria. The program also featured a compelling presentation by Mr. Yann Bidan of Maple Bear Central & Eastern Europe, highlighting the growing presence and positive impact of Canadian educational models in the region.

Though held a day after the official Canada Day celebrations, the event echoed the spirit of the occasion, celebrating Canadian values of openness, cooperation, and shared prosperity. The Embassy of Canada in Romania, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Moldova, together with CanCham Bulgaria and corporate partners such as TELUS Digital, reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening Canada-Bulgaria economic relations and promoting a business environment grounded in innovation, transparency, and mutual benefit.