On October 20, 2026, the Association of Bulgarian Employers' Organizations (AOBE) held a meeting with presidential and vice-presidential candidates Iliyana Yotova and Kiril Valchev. The meeting was attended by representatives of the four member organizations of AOBE[1]: the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG).
During the meeting, AOBE's activities and key priorities for 2026 were presented, and major issues related to the country's economic development, the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, and the priorities of the state and business community were discussed.
A key focus of the discussion with the presidential and vice-presidential candidates was the draft state budget for 2027 and the budgetary framework as a foundation for implementing a consistent economic policy with clearly defined priorities, objectives, and measurable results. Particular attention was paid to the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, the need to create better conditions for the development of Bulgarian enterprises, and the promotion of investment in them.
The state of the labour market was another major topic of discussion, including labour shortages and the lack of qualified personnel, the alignment of education with business needs, procedures for attracting workers from third countries, and the need to improve access for international students to Bulgarian higher education institutions.
Regional disparities, demographic challenges, and the need to improve conditions for economic development across different parts of the country were also discussed. In this context, the importance of transport, road, and energy infrastructure was highlighted as a key factor in improving connectivity and promoting regional economic development.
During the meeting, representatives of the employers' organizations emphasized the need to reduce the administrative burden on businesses, increase the effectiveness of regulatory and supervisory authorities, and improve cooperation between businesses and public administration.
The discussion also addressed the role of foreign policy in supporting Bulgarian enterprises in international markets, expanding economic relations, and attracting investment.
The participants also discussed the current situation in the Black Sea region and its potential impact on tourism, foreign trade, shipping, and the operations of Bulgarian ports.
In conclusion, the need to strengthen the partnership between the state and the business community was emphasized, through constructive dialogue, agreement on specific objectives, and the establishment of clear deadlines for their implementation, based on cooperation and a spirit of partnership.
[1] BICA was represented by Dobrin Ivanov, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Ivelin Zhelyazkov, Director of Tripartite Cooperation. BIA was represented by Dobri Mitrev, Chairman of the Management Board and Rotating Chairman of AOBE; Maria Mincheva and Stanislav Popdonchev, Vice-Chairpersons and members of the Management Board. BCCI was represented by Tsvetan Simeonov, Chairman of the Management Board; Vasil Todorov, Vice-Chairman; and Boryana Abadzhieva, Head of the Economic Analysis and Policy Department. CEIBG was represented by Kiril Domuschiev, Chairman of the Management Board; Boryana Manolova, Vice-Chairperson; and Lyubomir Peynovski, member of the Management Board.
