The initiative „TO MAKE IT IN BULGARIA“ will work towards more good news for the Bulgarian economy

The initiative „TO MAKE IT IN BULGARIA“
will work towards more good news for the Bulgarian economy

63% of Bulgarians want more information about successful business in the country.
The data are part of a study within the initiative „To make it in Bulgaria“

Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber participates in the initiative „To make it in Bulgaria“ in partnership with German-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and other bilateral commercial organizations. The common cause of the participants is an objective media coverage of the business's contribution to the economic development of the country and the removal of legislative obstacles that restrict the media from using company and brand names.

In July 2019, Trend Agency conducted a representative sociological survey about the attitudes of the Bulgarian society towards the processes in the economy and the economic entities, as well as the way they are covered in the media. The results were presented at a press conference on September 19 at the BTA Press Club. According to the survey, 63% of Bulgarians would like to learn more about successful Bulgarian companies and entrepreneurs.

The current legislation and the regulator СЕМ (Electronic Media Council), however, restrict the media from mentioning company names and trademarks, although according to a 2013 decree this does not apply in cases where the mention carries information value.

In mid-November, the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber and other partners in the initiative will organize a roundtable, which will formulate and present concrete proposals for legislative changes that facilitate the media in transparent and objective reflection of the economic climate and business in Bulgaria. In particular, we will put forward the issue of the distinction between advertising and informational content. All stakeholders will be invited to the roundtable.

The poll also shows that 74 per cent of Bulgarians believe negative news is prevalent in the media. The public does not have adequate information on what technological level Bulgarian companies are at and what jobs they offer. More than half of the young people between the ages of 18 and 29, who took part in the survey, admit that they do not know if there are good opportunities for success in Bulgaria. The lack of this information undoubtedly indirectly contributes to the worsening demographic crisis.

The Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to participate in the initiative „To make it in Bulgaria“ and we will inform you in a timely manner about the date and place of the upcoming roundtable.

Trend's study“ is representative, conducted in July of 2019 and is based on the answers of 1010 adult Bulgarian citizens, interviewed „face to face“. Here's what else the data shows:

• Close to one-third (31%) of the adult Bulgarian citizens are of the opinion, that the Bulgarian economy is developing in the right direction, while almost half (49%) are of the opposite opinion. Most positive are the young people (18-29), while the people above 70 years of age are the most pessimistic about the development of the Bulgarian economy.
• 63% of the Bulgarians would like to lear more successful Bulgarian enterprises and Bulgarian entrepreneurs. 17% are of the opposite opinion. Younger people want to learn more about Bulgarian entrepreneurs and successful Bulgarian businesses as opposed to the older people. People with higher education would like to learn more in comparison to those with primary and lower education.
• 59% of all respondents expressed disapproval, that the media does not mention the names of successful companies, and only 18% are of the opposite opinion.
• Close to 40% of the Bulgarians are of the opinion, that successful business can be made in Bulgaria, while 34% are of the opposite opinion. There are again differences in the age categories – young people are more optimistic and bigger part of them are of the opinion that successful business can be developed in Bulgaria. Older people are of the opposite opinion. The bigger part of those living in the capital or in bigger cities think, that successful business can be made.
• A little over one third think, that there are good opportunities for the realization in manufacturing enterprises in Bulgaria. 42% are of the opposite opinion. Only among people with higher education is the answer that there are good opportunities prevalent. Among young people, the two options are practically equal in values.
• The increase of salaries is to a great extent connected with the successful economic development of Bulgaria (48%). 39% link successful economic development with job creation. 33% are of the opinion, that new enterprises need to be established. Just under two-thirds believe that foreign investment is needed, and 19% - modern industry. 12% of the Bulgarians think, that building modern infrastructure is needed for the successful economic development.
• A little over half of the Bulgarians are of the opinion, that Bulgarian export is of high quality, while a mere 12% are of the opposite opinion. 36% don't know or can't form an opinion. A certain dose of patriotic sentiment with regard to native production must also be taken into account here.
• A little over half (53%) do not know Bulgarian company or product names, which are successful on the international market. One fifth say they do know of such examples.
• 19% of all respondents have heard about the opening of a new production facility in Bulgaria several years ago, while only 2% have heard about such a thing happening within the month the survey was conducted.
• Approximately three-fourths (74%) are of the opinion, that negative news are those, which prevail in Bulgarian media, while only 11% say, that positive news are prevalent.