Project: South-Eastern European Network on Balkans

Cross-Border Region Bulgaria-Turkey

№ 2007CB16IPO008-2009-1-051

financed by EU Bulgaria – Turkey IPA Cross-Border Programme

Проект Югоизточна европейска мрежа на Балканите -
трансграничен регион България-Турция
№ 2007CB16IPO008-2009-1-051

On 1.07.2011, the National Association of Small and Medium Business - Yambol branch launched a project № 2007CB16IPO008-2009-1-051South-east European network in the Balkans in the border region Bulgaria-Turkey. The project partners are: Lyuleburgaz municipality and business organization LIAD.
The first project meeting was held on 16-17 August 2011 in Hotel "Kabyle" Street "Commercial" 35 Yambol.
Cross-border impacts of project activities is as follows: promoting good neighborly relations, stability, security and prosperity in the mutual interest of both countries; promotion of effective partnerships to facilitate the sustainable development of border municipalities - Yambol, Tunja and Lyuleburgaz; Support Economic and social development by investing in human potential and creating a favorable business environment, improve the awareness of SMEs about their role in social and economic change and applying the achievements of the acquis communautaire, Transfer of European best practices and opportunities to develop common markets.

Within an international conference on the project “Southeast European Business Network”, held in Sofia on January 19, 2008, the innovative concept for producing binary biodrinks on herbal basis was presented by its authors – the engineer-technologist Mr. Alexi Aleksov and Mrs. Eleonora Negulova, long producers of beverages in Bulgaria.

What is the innovation: separate storage of the two components - the active herbal component in the cap of the drink and of the water component in the main body of the bottle. When the bottle is opened the herbal component is mixed with the water and a completely natural soft drink for everyday use is made. This unique in its nature conservation mode of the active component ensures consumers that the biodrinks do not contain added preservatives and artificial colorings. The grate ambition of the entrepreneurs is to close the technological process “from field to cup” controlling each production stage to keep product quality constant.

The authors conveyed that they work on an innovative biotechnological model for extraction of herbs which is funded by the National Innovation Fund of Bulgaria. It is expected within the end of 2009 this model to become a reality and to ensure high quality herbal extracts with high content of biologically active substances.

Their efforts are motivated by the trends for more popular understanding about healthy eating and lifestyle that lead to increasing demand for organic products in Bulgaria and the EU.

This concept is a good example for the application of Community Acqui in priority areas of the Bulgarian economy - biotechnology and food industry.

To get in touch with Mr. Aleksov and Mrs. Negulova please contact the office of the National Association of Small and Medium Business - Lead partner in the project “South East European Business

For further upgrading of SEE Net results “Danube River – a bridge for economic and social cooperation” project has been prepared to be submitted under the third call for proposals of CBC program Romania-Bulgaria.

The cross border area Vidin – Kalafat has strong potential for devolvement. The Danube River has always been a natural path for trade and economic exchange between the two countries but new realities have to be taken into account.

The proposed action is designed on the ground of preliminary analyses where the following main factors have been observed: