Association Business Information and Consulting Center - Sandanski

National Network
Bulgaria
Address

5 Skopie Street
Sandanski
Bulgaria

Telephone
00 359 746 3 05 49
Fax
00 359 746 3 24 03
E-Mail
sandanski@barda.info
Website
http://www.bicc-sandanski.org
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
1997
Fields of Activity
  1. Environment/Sustainable development
General Information
BICC - Sandanski is a non-profit association founded in 1997 as a result of the initiative of local entrepreneurs and the municipality of Sandanski. Currently there are 22 members of the organization as the membership is comprised of small and medium enterprises and private entrepreneurs from Southwest Bulgaria. The management bodies are the General Assembly and the Management Committee. The General Assembly is the supreme managing body of the organization and it is comprised of all the members of the organization. There managing board is comprised of 5 members. The management board is obliged to implement the decisions of the General Assembly. The management board selects the Director which manages the operations of the organization. BICC – Sandanski employs seven staff members. All employees are full-time, one of which is a Peace Corps Volunteer. The employees are specialized in different areas of economic development and the centre delivers a wide variety of business support services. The organization also has 8 external experts working on part-time civil contracts when it is needed to implement a specific task or organize a larger event. In January 2008, BICC - Sandanski is a member of the Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies and Business Centers (BARDA), which has 28 member institutions. BICC is one of the initiators of Euroregion “Strimon - Struma". Members of the Euroregion are municipalities and non-governmental organizations from the border region of Bulgaria and Greece. BICC - Sandanski has actively participated in the European Initiative B2europe. B2europe is the alliance of European business support networks that support companies and potential entrepreneurs, by initiating the establishment of a regional network. This network is comprised of local authorities and business support organizations from Bulgaria and Greece. In January 2008 Business Information and Consulting Center - Sandanski became a part of "Enterprise Europe Network", consisting of 500 organizations and more than 4000 highly qualified experts from 40 European countries.
Mission and Objectives

The activities of BICC - Sandanski support the economic, cultural and educational development of South-West Bulgaria. It does this through providing assistance to the needs of the local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and through the promotion of the region as a modern economic, social, cultural and sports center. BICC - Sandanski assists the SMEs in the region by organizing exhibitions, conferences, business forums, matchmaking events, etc. The organization works to increase the competitiveness and competence of local companies by informing them about current economic and social topics through seminars, training courses, workshops, round tables, discussion forums, and also through the publication of a monthly electronic newsletter, as well as other periodic publications. The organization develops and maintains a business and investment related Internet portal with various business information and news from the region of South-West Bulgaria. BICC – Sandanski strives to attract foreign investors to the region by creating conditions for easy and quick access to competent and timely information on opportunities and administrative requirements needed start a new business and/or invest in an existing business.

Main Projects / Activities

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS START-UP
- Market research;
- Registration of companies, associations, NGOs and other organizations;
- Development of strategies and solutions for business development;
- Consultations in business planning, tax and legal systems, human resources, etc.
SUPPORT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF SMEs
- Information and consulting services;
- Organization of workshops and training of companies;
- Introduction of company management systems;
- Business support for the introduction of innovations and implementation of technology transfers;
SUPPORT OF SMEs TO ACCESS FINANCIAL RESOURCES
- Project development and management;
- Preparation of business plans and economic research;
- Assistance in negotiations with banks and other financial institutions;
- Information on financial programs and mechanisms;
- Information on existing credit lines in Bulgaria and international financial institutions;
SUPPORT FOR ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
- Information about legislation and administrative procedures in other countries;
- Organization and support for the participation of companies in fairs, exhibitions and matchmaking events;
PROMOTION OF BUSINESS COOPERATION
- Providing a forum for discussions;
- Establishing organizations for the entrepreneurs from the region;
- Developing and distributing informational materials;
- Providing access to national and international databases for business cooperation;
E-SERVICES BUSINESS SUPPORT
- Development and maintenance of virtual databases;
- Electronic subscription - Information services;
- E-consultation and information, graphic and Web design;

Contact (1) Full Name
Zhivko Ivanov
Head of the organisation
Zhivko Ivanov