Lessons from Lithuania: How Bulgaria Can Manage Prices and Boost Savings with the Euro
Kēstutis Kupsys, vice president of the Lithuanian Consumers' Union, shared insights from Lithuania’s experience with euro adoption
Dr. Boyko Takov, CEO of the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ASME) and Acad. Julian Revalski, President of BAS, in an interview for Business Start, March 9, 2021
Business community should view the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) as an R&D center. Therefore, our task is to provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria, which cannot afford funding their own research and development programs, to use BAS as such a center, Dr. Boyko Takov, CEO of the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ASME) and Acad. Julian Revalski, President of BAS, said for the "Business Start" talk show hosted by Hristo Nikolov.
According to Dr. Boyko Takov, Bulgarian business should be able to use this infrastructure to keep abreast with the world in scientific developments.
"Innovations are the future. Without them, our country definitely cannot move forward, and we will only be doomed to catch up with the events that are happening abroad."
According to Acad. Julian Revalski the connection between the Academy and the business in Bulgaria has been broken over the last 20-30 years, as large international companies that have subsidiaries in Bulgaria prefer to make their scientific developments in their home countries.
"Small and medium-sized enterprises are the ones that have great interest in such activities in Bulgaria, and since they do not have sufficient funds, we at BAS are ready to help with our funding to support this process".
In connection with the upcoming and long-awaited event "Science for Business" forum, the guests said that many pilot projects will be presented that are ready for business use, as well as those that have already found application.
"Among the recent developments are industrial task technology optimization, a network of microcontrollers for smart buildings and factories, a prototype vaccine against Covid-19, a portable device for dry-mist disinfection system clearing air from viruses and bacteria, and many others," said Dr. Boyko Takov.
Talking about the Bulgarian prototype vaccine against Covid-19,Acad. Julian Revalski added that the drug is currently in the testing stage, with initial results positive.
"So far, only one Bulgarian state-owned company has the necessary experience to start line production under this project. But above all, this will be a difficult task, both financially and organisationally, as clinical trials require participation of 30-40,000 people".
"In any case, the development of this vaccine is financially supported by the Pasteur Institute," Acad. Revalski said, adding that the vaccine‘s efficacy rates will be reported at the Science for Business forum.
One of the most debated topics around Bulgaria’s upcoming transition from the lev to the euro is whether the country is giving up its sovereignty
In May 1989, Bulgaria witnessed something unprecedented in its communist era: massive protests that did not unfold in the capital, Sofia, but in villages and towns scattered across the country
Recent analysis by the financial portal "Moite pari" indicates that interest rates on bank deposits are starting to climb, particularly noticeable among smaller banks over the past year
A new sea route between Burgas and Istanbul will begin operating on June 24, 2025
Bulgarian authorities have stepped up inspections across the country to combat unjustified price hikes amid concerns that some retailers might exploit the upcoming euro adoption to speculate
In 2024, the quality of bathing waters across the European Union remained high
Borderless Bulgaria: How Schengen Benefits Are Transforming Trade and Logistics
Bulgaria's Mortality Rate Remains Highest in Europe