Economic Forum "Business Horizons 2025" discussed the prospects for Ruse and Bulgaria
On April 15, 2025, the economic forum "Business Horizons 2025" was held at the Regional Library "Lyuben Karavelov" in Ruse, organized by the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of its establishment. The forum brought together representatives of institutions, the business community and the expert community to discuss the impact of Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and the Eurozone, as well as global economic challenges.
Among the panelists in the discussion were the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov, Tsvetan Simeonov – President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Lyubomir Datsov – financial expert, former Deputy Minister of Finance and current member of the Fiscal Council of Bulgaria, as well as Yulian Balchev – Secretary General of the Bulgarian Investment Agency. The discussion was moderated by Valeri Andreev – Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov expressed expectations for a 20% increase in economic activity in border regions, such as Ruse, after the adoption of the euro. He emphasized that membership in the Eurozone will bring more stability, lower transaction costs and increased confidence in the Bulgarian economy.
Mayor Pencho Milkov emphasized the importance of a good communication campaign to the general public regarding the upcoming introduction of the euro. He expressed hope that private entities will start constructing public buildings, as entrepreneurs have done in the past.
Financial expert Lyubomir Datsov said that the number of tourists in Ruse will increase by 2013 after Bulgaria joins the Eurozone. He emphasized that membership in the Eurozone is strategic and deeply connected to the country's future as part of a united Europe.
The Secretary General of the Bulgarian Investment Agency, Julian Balchev, noted that Schengen has opened up new opportunities for business in Ruse. He recalled that since 2004, 14 projects worth over 400 million leva have been certified in the Ruse region, which have created over 3,000 jobs.
The forum provided a platform for strategic dialogue and exchange of ideas between business representatives, institutions and the expert community, encouraging the adaptation of the Bulgarian economy to the new realities.
