Visit of the DCCF Leadership to RCCI: Strengthening Cooperation in the Danube Region
The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) had the pleasure of welcoming the Secretary General of the Danube Chambers of Commerce Federation (DCCF), Mr. Károly Szolt, and the representative of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Mr. Octavian Stocklosa. The visit was part of Mr. Szolt’s active initiative to build a stronger and more coordinated network of chambers of commerce in the Danube region, aimed at enhancing institutional cooperation, digitalization and project activity.
DCCF and The Vision for The Development of The Network of Chambers of Commerce
The Danube Chambers of Commerce Federation (DCCF) unites nearly 20 chambers of commerce and industry from eight countries in the Danube macro-region. Its main goal is to promote economic cooperation between businesses, institutions and regional structures in these countries, while defending the interests of its members before the European institutions.
The new leadership of DCCF, led by Mr. Károly Zsolt, places a strong emphasis on the institutional development of the federation. During the meeting in Ruse, key steps were discussed to improve internal coordination between member chambers, expand the representative and lobbying functions of the federation, and strengthen its participation in economic and political processes within the European Union.
Among the concrete proposals was the establishment of a clearer strategic framework for the DCCF, which would ensure the sustainability of the organization and create additional opportunities for its members. In this regard, the importance of working together for better coordination and the active involvement of chambers in decision-making processes was emphasized.
Project Activity Development: Opportunities for International Cooperation
One of the main focuses of the meeting was the expansion of DCCF's project activities. Opportunities for joint participation in international consortia on programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Interreg and other European initiatives that offer platforms for financing cross-border projects.
Mr. Zsolt emphasized the need to build strong partnerships between member chambers to work in sync to develop joint projects. Initiatives in areas such as innovation, digitalization, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and development of a sustainable economy can contribute to improving the competitiveness of businesses in the region.
For his part, Mr. Octavian Stocklosa shared the experience of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry in working on European projects and stressed the importance of strategic partnership between the chambers. He noted that sharing good practices and joint participation in international initiatives can create additional opportunities for business development in the region.
Digitalization as A Tool for Modernization
Another important aspect of the discussion was the implementation of digital solutions to improve the work of DCCF member chambers. During the meeting, various technological tools were discussed that can optimize the processes of membership management, communication with businesses and service delivery.
Digitalization is a key factor in the modernization of chambers of commerce and industry, as it provides opportunities for faster and more efficient information processing, automation of administrative processes and improved relations with business. Mr. Zsolt expressed interest in implementing such solutions within the DCCF in order to achieve higher efficiency and better coordination between member chambers.
The possibilities for creating a single platform for sharing resources, digital services for members, and automated processes for managing communication between chambers were discussed. In this regard, specific examples of good practices that can be adapted to the needs of the federation were mentioned.
The Importance of Strong Regional Partnerships
The meeting in Ruse is part of the broader efforts of the DCCF leadership to strengthen ties between member chambers and ensure closer cooperation in the Danube region. The Secretary General of the federation emphasized that building a stable network of partners is key to the success of the organization and the sustainable development of the economies in the region.
The visit to RCCI follows previous significant steps in the development of DCCF, including the re-election of the Executive Director of the Chamber, Mr. Milen Dobrev, to the Supervisory Board of the Federation. This continues the organization's commitment to actively participate in strengthening business ties in the Danube region and strengthening economic partnerships.
Development Prospects and Next Steps
The visit of Mr. Károly Zsolt and Mr. Octavian Stocklosa to Ruse highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation within the DCCF and the role of the federation in supporting businesses in the Danube region. The main topics of discussion included the institutional strengthening of the DCCF, the development of project activity and the implementation of digital solutions for better efficiency.
These efforts are expected to lead to the creation of a stronger, better coordinated and more effective network of chambers of commerce, which will provide real benefits to businesses and economies in the region. DCCF continues to establish itself as a key factor for economic development in the Danube region, and with its active role, Ruse and RCCI remain part of this important process.
Disclaimer: This publication was created with the support of generative artificial intelligence, with the content revised and adapted by the author to ensure compliance with the context of the event.
