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Regional Focus

Bulgaria

A

Inspiring optimism

country situated on the Black struggle for economic recovery, our

Sea coast and a relatively new members are learning to be more
member of the European
flexible. Some of the companies are

Union, Bulgaria acts as a bridge responding to the challenges by

between Europe and Western Asia and widening the range of products they
has two large ports – Varna and supply, others are focusing on specific

Bourgas.
products or services,” he added.
According to members of The One of BSSA’s goals for 2014 is to

Bulgarian Ship Suppliers Association, help its members protect their business.
last year was challenging for the ship In the last few years most ship suppliers

supply business. “Our ports are small and in Bulgaria are facing one and the
we are competing with bigger ports in the same problem – collecting their money

Black Sea region,” said Iliyan Dimitrov from debtors. According to Mr
(pictured), Chairman, Bulgarian Ship Dimitrov, this is why the BSSA has

Suppliers Association (BSSA).
started working with a legal consultant.

In April 2014 BSSA organised training “More often vessels are visiting
for its members, concerning the legal ports in Romania or Turkey, which

side of a ship supply deal and how to requires our members to adapt. We
protect their business interests. Mr have colleagues who have already

Dimitrov said the Association is opened
continuing its efforts in finding offices in

different ways to be helpful to the ship Romania or
suppliers of Bulgaria.
cooperate

with ship “We recently became a member of
suppliers in the Bulgarian Chamber of Shipping so

Turkey. we are becoming more and more active
Because of in the marine life in Bulgaria. BSSA is

the difficulties also present in different meetings and

of finding discussions with the government
customers authorities on the developments and

and the
problems in the maritime business in
the country.

“We are
optimistic about the

forthcoming years.
There is a project for We are hoping that this will make

a new port in Varna Bulgaria more attractive to ship owners
which should be and will bring us new business

ready in four years.
opportunities,” he concluded.

I

8 The SHIP Supplier Issue 61 2014