Today, 12.12.2024, the second meeting of the Public Council "Business to the Rules" for the year was held. During the meeting, key research and analyses related to the development of the economy in the context of digital transformation, the green transition and changing forms of employment were presented. Special attention was paid to the composite index "Business to the Rules" and the Sub-index "Employment in Light", which measure the transparency and formalization of economic processes in Bulgaria. The meeting was opened by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Martin Danovski, who emphasized the importance of the "Business to the Rules" initiative and the role of all stakeholders in achieving a more transparent and fair economic environment. He pointed out that "In the dynamic times we live in, our main goal is to guarantee a stable and predictable economic environment.
The Deputy Chairman of the BICA, Mr. Nikola Zikatanov, congratulated the members of the Public Council, adding that "today's meeting is not just an ordinary moment, but an important stage in our conscientious work to achieve the goals we have set ourselves together. That is, to have a more modern, more efficient, more competitive economy".
During the meeting, the values of the Composite Index "Business to the Rules" and the Sub-Index "Business to the Rules" were presented by Prof. Dr. Stefan Petranov , who explained that for the first time since 2012, the index reported a decline in conditions in which the Bulgarian economy is not formally in crisis. The main reasons for this are associated with weaker economic growth of only 1.9% for 2023, reduced foreign direct investment and the unstable political environment, which affects the efficiency of the administration. "The dynamics of the composite index are a mirror of economic reality - when there is growth and stability, the economy brightens. In times of crisis or political uncertainty, the process slows down," Petranov pointed out .
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova, head of the project BG05SFPR002-1.005-0004 "A comprehensive approach to ensuring motivated qualified human resources" presented the main achievements for the past first year of its implementation, indicating that 89 key professions and 145 positions related to them have been identified, which are important for the successful implementation of the digital and green transition. She also added that during the course of the project, 16 new positions have been identified, which were discussed during the week and some of them will supplement the current National Classifier of Professions and Positions, including the positions "Energy Markets Specialist", "CSR and Sustainability Expert", "Energy Economics and Policy Expert", "Bookkeeper", "Oenologist", etc. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Albena Nakova presented a summary of the results of a large-scale study on the impact of digitalization, the green transition and atypical forms of employment on the lightening of the economy. "Digitalization is already fundamentally changing organizational processes in business, imposing automation and electronic payments, which significantly limit the opportunities for undeclared employment," said Assoc. Prof. Nakova.
The meeting of the Public Council "Business to the Rules" ended with the conclusion that the process of brightening the Bulgarian economy is irreversible, but the path to sustainability requires more synchronization between institutions, business and citizens. Digitalization and green policies are emerging as drivers of change, but targeted investments and regulations are needed to achieve the desired results. It is important for the state and social partners to develop effective policies to support the dual transition, as well as stricter control measures for new forms of employment.
The Public Council "Business to the Rules" will continue to monitor the development of digitalization, the green transition and new forms of employment and will present current data in the coming years within the framework of the project BG05SFPR002-1.005-0004 "A comprehensive approach to ensuring motivated qualified human resources", co-financed by the ESF + through the "Human Resources Development 2021-2027" Program, implemented by the BICA.
