Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
Could you outline Rigoni di Asiago's experience in Bulgaria?
Basically, I'd say there are two distinct phases regarding RdA's experience in Bulgaria. The first, which we could call 'pioneering', was led by our Italian-Bulgarian Engineer, Iliya Nemski.
During this phase of adapting to a country and analysing the offers received, heavy investments were made in purchasing farm land and constructing Ecovita's first processing plant. Phase 2, over the last 5 years, developed into industrialisation, that is the consolidation and strengthening of its position, leveraging a management team of dedicated and skilled professionals.
During both phases, Rigoni di Asiago has always remained focused on its own industrial objectives, which respect their concept of sustainable development and ethical responsibility.
It has, in fact, preserved the environment and has always worked to guarantee proper working conditions and fair pay for its staff. In fact, they employ a lot of Roma workers, thus helping to integrate this minority group into the country's social and economic fabric. Until now the group has invested nearly 15 million euro and created hundreds of jobs.
To conclude, can you tell us what the prospects for development are in the future?
The industrial development plan includes expanding by both acquiring more farm land and opening a new industrial site which will bring significant employment opportunities to the Pazardzhik and Montana provinces. Unfortunately, I am bound to point out that this strategy is subject to a few fundamental conditions.
Firstly, the Bulgarian Administration has to be more efficient regarding EU funds. Despite the new Government's attempts to improve the situation, a mere 10% of European funds were absorbed in 2010, as announced by Minister Donchev last January, much less than is acceptable.
Secondly, I would invite Bulgarian politicians to resolve the continuous problem of small farm holdings, which make industrial-scale production impossible, all the more so as land plots are difficult to group together.
Finally, I would emphasise the need for precise and transparent laws, with downsizing of all bureaucratic procedures: too often, and I can say this problem affects both foreign and Bulgarian business, the rules of the game, for example applying for financing, are not clear and the formalities prevail over the essence.
If all these obstacles were to be removed I am certain that not only we ourselves, but many other investors would choose Bulgaria and enable the country to experience solid, structural growth and steady development.
Source: Bulgaria: Italian Pioneers of Organic Farming in Bulgaria - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency
Basically, I'd say there are two distinct phases regarding RdA's experience in Bulgaria. The first, which we could call 'pioneering', was led by our Italian-Bulgarian Engineer, Iliya Nemski.
During this phase of adapting to a country and analysing the offers received, heavy investments were made in purchasing farm land and constructing Ecovita's first processing plant. Phase 2, over the last 5 years, developed into industrialisation, that is the consolidation and strengthening of its position, leveraging a management team of dedicated and skilled professionals.
During both phases, Rigoni di Asiago has always remained focused on its own industrial objectives, which respect their concept of sustainable development and ethical responsibility.
It has, in fact, preserved the environment and has always worked to guarantee proper working conditions and fair pay for its staff. In fact, they employ a lot of Roma workers, thus helping to integrate this minority group into the country's social and economic fabric. Until now the group has invested nearly 15 million euro and created hundreds of jobs.
To conclude, can you tell us what the prospects for development are in the future?
The industrial development plan includes expanding by both acquiring more farm land and opening a new industrial site which will bring significant employment opportunities to the Pazardzhik and Montana provinces. Unfortunately, I am bound to point out that this strategy is subject to a few fundamental conditions.
Firstly, the Bulgarian Administration has to be more efficient regarding EU funds. Despite the new Government's attempts to improve the situation, a mere 10% of European funds were absorbed in 2010, as announced by Minister Donchev last January, much less than is acceptable.
Secondly, I would invite Bulgarian politicians to resolve the continuous problem of small farm holdings, which make industrial-scale production impossible, all the more so as land plots are difficult to group together.
Finally, I would emphasise the need for precise and transparent laws, with downsizing of all bureaucratic procedures: too often, and I can say this problem affects both foreign and Bulgarian business, the rules of the game, for example applying for financing, are not clear and the formalities prevail over the essence.
If all these obstacles were to be removed I am certain that not only we ourselves, but many other investors would choose Bulgaria and enable the country to experience solid, structural growth and steady development.
Source: Bulgaria: Italian Pioneers of Organic Farming in Bulgaria - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency