18-01-2024 17:21
Representatives of Bulgarian institutions, the diplomatic corps and businesses participated in an event under the project "Implementation of Innovative Combined Measures to Support Innovation and Technological Development and Promote the Internationalization of Bulgarian SMEs through the Exchange of Knowledge and Experience between Norway and Bulgaria."
"This project builds upon our efforts and is a key element for Bulgarian - companies to be more competitive in a world where innovation makes the difference," stated Mr. Martin Gikov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, at the opening of the event.
Greetings from the donor countries were conveyed by Ms. Kerstin Wahlberg, an advisor at the Embassy of Norway in Bucharest, responsible for Bulgaria as well. "Among the goals of the Financial Mechanisms of the EEA and Norway is to help beneficiary countries make optimal use of the internal European market. The project is a good example of how a foundation can be laid to assist in future steps," she noted.
The project brings together the efforts of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) and the Norwegian state company "Innovation Norway." Financial support, amounting to nearly 200,000 leva, comes from the fund for bilateral initiatives under the Financial Mechanisms of the EEA and Norway. The fund is managed by the National Focal Point for Financial Mechanisms, which also participated in the event.
Mr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of BSMEPA, shared insights from the exchange visit to Norway and the inspiring meetings there. "Projects like this are extremely important because the strong capacity of institutions like ours leads to good results for the companies themselves, thanks to our support," he emphasized. He highlighted the planned significant visits as part of the project, including the participation of Bulgarian companies in the upcoming "Innovation Week in Oslo," scheduled for 25-27 September. The positive impact of the successful project implementation is evident in the statistic that 98% of companies in Bulgaria are micro, small, and medium-sized. Hence, the improved work of BSMEPA will benefit the entire Bulgarian business.
Innovation Norway has extensive experience in supporting businesses, not only in Norway but also in 23 other countries worldwide. "Our mission is to support startups, innovation clusters, and exports. We see the crucial role of the private sector and innovations in achieving the overarching goal of addressing climate change. By learning from each other, we can work together more intelligently, efficiently, and effectively," stated Ms. Elisabeth Meyer, Director of the "Strategic Positioning, Tourism, and Special Tasks" department at Innovation Norway.
For more information about the project, you can visit the BSMEPA page here. The project presentation is available here.