The Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) with the support of the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), Bulgaria and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Washington, USA held Best Practices Conference “GET READY FOR BUSINESS” on June 11 – 12, 2007 in Varna, Bulgaria.


The forum was dedicated to 10 years of Bulgarian – American Partnership, the achieved results and implemented projects within the Technical Twinning Program between Bulgarian and American municipalities, financed by USAID and managed by FLGR/ICMA. “During the last 3 years of the program 2 500 new jobs were created, 120 million euro investments were attracted in new business projects and 20 million euro – for expansion of existing businesses,” highlighted Mrs. Ginka Kapitanova, the Executive Director of FLGR. The 10 years of Bulgarian – American cooperation were very fruitful pointed out Michael Fritz, USAID Mission Director for Bulgaria.

The conference was attended by 120 people – guests and representatives of over 50 municipalities – Mayors, Chairmen of City Councils, Municipal Experts and representatives of Regional Governments, NGOs and the business sector.

At the forum was presented the experience of :

- Municipalities, which support local and foreign companies to create new jobs and market themselves as business and tourist destination;

- Municipalities , which participate in the local economic development and covered the criteria for the certificate “Ready for Business Municipality”;

- Municipalities, pilot implemented or multiplied successful models of infrastructure management;

- Municipalities, pilot implemented or multiplied their experience in programs for source separation and improvement of the waste collection in rural areas.

   

As part of the conference a competition of site visits and negotiations with prospects was held among the municipalities, which participate in the Local Economic Development and Marketing of Bulgarian Municipalities Project. The competition was based on sent in advance case study called “Choosing a place for new investments” and demonstration “Visit of prospect in the municipality” was held. Members of the jury were American experts, representatives of FLGR, InvestBulgaria Agency and Tishman Management Company. The nomination of the jury coincided with the audience nomination and the presentation of the Municipality of Haskovo won the first place. The representatives of Haskovo – Mrs. Pavlina Stoianova and Mrs. Maria Fileva won the two awards: participation of one representative of the municipality in “Construction and Management of Industrial Parks” study tour in the Czech Republic, July 2007 and financial award of 300 leva.

Mr. Michael Fritz awarded American and Bulgarian municipalities for their extraordinary commitment in sharing experience, multiplying innovative projects and technical assistance to Bulgarian municipalities, individual awards to American and Bulgarian experts for taking an active part in training and sharing experience in projects.

With the final conference FLGR established the beginning of new joint activities with the municipalities based on the build up capacity, knowledge and expertise. After the end of the Program FLGR will continue to act as a coordinator of the Bulgarian Partnership for Local Economic Development aiming at improving the investment climate and generating of new jobs in alternative economic fields. FLGR will continue to be International Resource Center offering services by individual contracts with the municipalities.

The FLGR team cordially thanks to all colleagues from municipalities, NGOs and business sector who participated in the conference with presentations in different sessions!