A new BDB strategy for the period 2024-2026 is being developed

The first official meeting of an interdepartmental working group was held at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. It was created by order of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and aims to outline the priority sectors and economic activities for the country's economy in which the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) can be involved, as well as to adopt policies to reduce regional imbalances. This was announced by MIG today.

The group is led by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov and includes the Deputy Minister of Finance Stefan Belchev, of Economy and Industry - Nikolay Pavlov, of Innovation and Growth - Vesselina Mincheva and Krasimir Yakimov, of Regional Development and Public Works - Vesselina Terziyska, on defense - Adelina Nikolova, on energy - Iva Petrova, on transport and communications - Boris Gerasimov, on health care - Boyko Penkov, and on tourism - Irena Georgieva. Representatives in it are also the national employers' organizations, the trade unions and the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, which are also members of the Advisory Council to the Bulgarian Development Bank.

The main priorities around which the members of the working group have united are programs providing support and control of the use of funds in strategic sectors such as health care, security, defense and the military-industrial complex, water supply sector and energy.

The role of the BDB in the realization of public investments and projects, priority for the economy, incl. The National Capital Investment Program, with support in analysis, evaluation, targeting and financing.

Among the proposals is the support of the state policy for efficient spending of public funds in the planning and implementation of concessions. Also, the financing of infrastructure projects ensuring transport and communication connectivity, promotion of regional development by supporting industrial zones, municipal projects, renewable energy projects for own use, etc.

Participants in the working group united around the need to adapt the bank's business and institutional model and preserve the state's current priorities for financing small and medium-sized businesses, innovation, digitalization and sustainability.

After the preparation of the strategic conceptual framework for the BDB's activity, it must be approved by the Council of Ministers and the changes must be reflected in the bank's regulations. The aim is to start its transformation into a full-fledged development bank.