The Bulgarian Local Economic Development Partnership (BLEDP) participated in the Contacts and Information Exchange (CIE) at the 60^th International Technical Fair in Plovdiv, September - 27 October 2, 2004. BLEDP was established under Phase IV of the FLGR/ICMA Bulgarian Technical Twinning Program.

The municipal business development experts from Gabrovo, Dobrich, Montana, Panagyurishte, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Razgrad, Stara Zagora, Silistra and FLGR proactively solicited investors. They had been authorized to represent companies operating within BLEDP s members territories, which for various reasons had not been able to attend the fair.

Special presentations had been developed to target those interested in more details about the business climate and the opportunities provided by member municipalities.

The Bulgarian Local Economic Development Partnership was established by 14 Bulgarian and 9 American municipalities. Its purpose is to encourage investments in Bulgaria and to support existing business. BLEDP s Bulgarian members include the following municipalities: Blagoevgrad, Gabrovo, Dobrich Karlovo, Montana, Panagyurishte, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Razgrad, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Silistra, Tryavna and Haskovo. All of them are committed to a policy of transparency, openness and partnership with business. For more information, visit the municipalities specialized marketing website www.invest.bg. The website is administered by FLGR and expands municipalities opportunities to market their resources, promote their companies and establish direct contacts with businesses.