On November 12, 2026, a seminar dedicated to opportunities for expanding cooperation between Bulgaria and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will take place at the Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel in Sofia. The event is being organized with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNIDO and the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA).
The forum will also mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNIDO and BICA in 2016, highlighting the development of the partnership between the international organization, Bulgarian institutions and the business community in support of sustainable industrial development.
The main objective of the seminar is to present UNIDO's programmes, tools and services, as well as opportunities for Bulgarian enterprises to participate in international initiatives and projects. Special attention will be paid to Bulgaria's role as a country with a growing contribution to international development cooperation, the establishment of new industrial partnerships and opportunities to enter third-country markets.
The programme includes two main thematic sessions. The first session will focus on industrial partnerships, technology transfer and international development cooperation. It will present UNIDO's programmes and projects in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, good practices from the organization's cooperation with Slovenia, as well as initiatives aimed at enterprise development and job creation.
The second session will focus on private sector engagement, digital technologies and new business opportunities. Key topics will include the application of artificial intelligence in industry, innovation, public-private partnerships and tools for accelerating the digital transformation of enterprises.
Of particular interest to business representatives will be the planned presentation of UNIDO's procurement practices and procedures, which will provide additional information on opportunities for Bulgarian companies to participate in the organization's activities and projects.
Representatives of Bulgarian institutions, UNIDO's management and experts, the business community and academia are expected to take part in the opening and thematic discussions. Rumen Radev, Chairman of the Management Board of BICA, will participate in the opening and the first thematic session, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova, Executive Vice-Chairperson of BICA, will moderate the seminar.
The forum is expected to contribute to a better identification of the priorities and needs of the Bulgarian economy, the establishment of new contacts and the identification of specific areas for future cooperation between UNIDO, Bulgarian institutions and enterprises.
The seminar will take place on November 12, 2026, from 09:00 to 13:15 at the Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel in Sofia. Participant registration will begin at 08:30. The working language of the event will be English, with simultaneous interpretation into Bulgarian provided.
Those wishing to attend are invited to confirm their participation by November 6, 2026, via email at bica@bica-bg.org.
The preliminary seminar programme is available HERE.
