IVAN VASSILEV: BULGARIA POSES CHALLENGES NOT OBSTACLES TO BUSINESS

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | July 19, 2002, Friday // 00:00

Ivan Vassilev is a graduate of the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, specialized in Transport Economy and business journalism. Mr. Vassilev has been Country General Manager of TNT Bulgaria since 1996 when the company was set up. Speaks English. Married with a child.

Mr Vassilev answered questions of novinite.com

Q: If you could be prime minister for one day, what changes would you make in the country?

A: Probably I would resign early in the morning. Joking. The fundamental change needed in Bulgaria is the people's mind. As a nation we need to learn to respect ourselves, to respect our neighbour, to love our country and all our actions in the professional and private life to be based on that. Therefore the institution with the highest debt to the society is the church. As a post-communist nation we need to repair our moral values. And being a prime minister for one day I would address these issues. Material prosperity, foreign investments and things like these will come as a result of this process.

Q: Do you consider your company's business in Bulgaria successful? Why?

A: Yes, definitely due to two main reasons. Firstly the company turnover reached 30% growth year on year within unfavourable economic conditions. Secondly the high level of motivation of the people, working for TNT Bulgaria - 99.7%, which is itself a needed prerequisite for achieving the company financial goals.

Q: What are the three main factors in the Bulgarian business environment that help your business grow?

A: The main factors in our company, which help our business grow are not typical for the Bulgarian business environment. These are positive working environment; creating a trustful atmosphere among employees and "make it happen" spirit contrary to the widespread Bulgarian practice of searching why the things could not happen.

Q: What are the three main obstacles to the development of your business?

A: I do not see any obstacles but challenges, which should be overcome. It would be helpful if European standards were implemented quicker in customs clearance practice, such as: electronic customs clearance process, simplification of this process as well as diminishing the red tape.

Q: What are the corporate values of your company and how does the management promote them?

A: Our seven key processes are to win and keep profitable customers; delivery on time and in perfect condition; clean invoices and getting paid. We also aim to create and strengthening competitive edge; recruit, equip, develop and empower people; ensure safe and secure working environments and make money. We promote them within our company and add additional value as Bulgarians in the very positive sense of the word.

Q: What do you think is a realistic date for Bulgaria's EU accession?

A: Speaking about achieving high macro and micro-economic indicators the date is quite far from where we are now. But if some global political processes are developed to our benefit Bulgaria's EU accession may happen within the next few years.

Q: What are Bulgaria's advantages compared to other central and Eastern European countries?

A: Obviously we could not praise our country with rich natural resources or geographical situation convenient for foreign investors, just the opposite. But definitely we have some huge advantages, which other countries lack and these are the energy that our land emanates as well as the inborn potential gifts of the Bulgarians as a nation. But for this potential to be awaken our nation needs to find out the right morality basis or otherwise our nation may go extinct.

Q: How could Bulgaria attract more foreign investors?

A: Attracting foreign investors cannot be a goal in itself but only a consequence. When our country becomes a better place to live then probably the foreign investors will come to benefit also from this favourable environment. No one will come to invest out of sympathy, but only if there are real conditions to make profit.

Q: In your opinion is there a functioning market economy in Bulgaria?

A: Complicated and dynamic processes of capitals repartition and fights for political influence are still running including internal and mainly external factors. Until the dynamics of these processes is reduced we can hardly speak about functioning market economy.

Q: What do you think Bulgaria is famous abroad with: women, yogurt, sports wines or something else?

A: Unfortunately Bulgaria is far less famous abroad than we think. And even among the few things we are famous with the negative shades dominate. But this is a natural result of the Bulgarians' negativism and nihilism. No one will like us if we do not like ourselves. Our popularity will grow when our nation becomes more useful for the other nations nevertheless what with. It happened in the past centuries and I am convinced that a new Renaissance is ahead of us. Though the economic symptoms are lacking, the first signs of such a revival are already visible. Bulgarians abroad are coming back, Bulgarian music prevails in pubs, restaurants and discos.

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