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Internet Securities Bulgaria 24A, Acad. Metodi Popov Str. ISI EMERGING MARKETS 1113 Sofia A Euromoney Institutional Investor Company Phone: (+359) 2 8160404 [email protected] To access our services please visit www.securities.com . American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria Yearbook 2011 Business Park Sofi a Mladost 4 Area, Building 2, Floor 6 1766 Sofi a, Bulgaria Phones: (+359 2) 974 27 43, (+359 2) 974 27 44 Fax: (+359 2) 974 27 41 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.amcham.bg Contents Contents Letter from AmCham Bulgaria President Peter Lithgow . .17 Letter from H.E. James B. Warlick, U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria . .18 Letter from U.S. Commercial Counselor Scott Pozil . .19 Letter from AmCham Bulgaria Executive Director Valentin Georgiev . .20 AmCham Bulgaria Board of Directors . .21 AmCham Bulgaria Profi le . .22 AmCham Bulgaria Events Preview. .24 AmCham Celebrates 15th Anniversary . .26 AmCham Bulgaria Events Overview . .28 AmCham Bulgaria Committees and Working Groups . .42 AmCham Bulgaria International Cooperation . .43 AmCham Bulgaria Publications . .44 Country Commercial Guide – 2011 Bulgaria (Excerpts) . .47 ISI Emerging Markets Annual Review . 114 American Chambers of Commerce . 121 AmCham Members Branch List . 128 AmCham Members Alphabetical List. 133 AmCham Members Directory . 138 Notes . 301 YEARBOOK 2011 15 address Dear members, dear partners and friends of AmCham Bulgaria, With this address I am very pleased indeed to be able to present to you our AmCham Bulgaria 2011 Yearbook! I am confi dent it will be a useful tool to all of you in your everyday business lives - as a handy reference to networking opportunities and potential partnership leads, and as a truly reliable source of information regarding macroeconomic and market over- view. Being an element in fulfi lling the AmCham mission of facilitating and supporting businesses, the Yearbook will help you navigate through information indispensable for doing business in Bulgaria. In 2010 our AmCham Bulgaria family continued to promote the bilateral relationships between the US and the Bulgarian business circles and was actively engaged in an open and constructive dialogue with representa- tives of the new leadership of Bulgaria. We are confi dent this dialogue has helped and will continue to help defi ne the drivers of development and im- prove the business climate particularly in diffi cult fi nancial and economic times as the ones we witness. We are sure AmCham will keep up its image of a stable anchor in the society at large and the smaller communities our members operate in throughout 2011. The current year, with the natural disaster in Japan and the turmoil in the Arab world, has presented us with an entirely new and to a certain extent unexpected situation which will pose a set of challenges to the world order and will bring about changes in the opportunities for doing business. The recent events set new conditions, requirements and challenges for businesses, which we all need to be mindful of and, in the long run, convert to benefi ts to our respective communities. In Bulgaria 2011 also sees a very dynamic political environment ahead of local and presidential elections. In our continued activities as an organization, we will be led by the efforts to be a reliable and predictable partner to our stakeholders and the society as a whole as well as an incubator of ideas and initiatives that drive recovery and economic development. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of AmCham Bulgaria to extend my special thanks to each and everyone who contributed to this Yearbook – the always supportive US Embassy and the U.S. Commercial Service, the dedicated AmCham administrative team, our loyal partners and advertisers, and, of course, all of our esteemed members. Yours truly, Peter Lithgow President American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria YEARBOOK 2011 17 address Dear Reader: AmCham Bulgaria achieved many important milestones during this past year, none greater than celebrating your 15th Anniversary. You have clearly distinguished the organization as a champion for American busi- ness interests. Moreover, your focus on corporate social responsibility is making a difference in communities across the country and in the lives of ordinary Bulgarians. I congratulate you on another great year. In the coming year, there are many areas where together we can make a difference. The road show that Ambassador Poptodorova and I will lead to the United States will set the stage for growing and broadening our trade and investment partnership. AmCham’s support of the road show will be critical, particularly our message to encourage American companies to explore business opportunities here. There are many challenges before us, and Amcham’s role is vital in our effort to address them. The areas of intellectual property rights, data pro- tection, and improving the government’s support to investors are among the most pressing issues. Your efforts in partnering with local business organizations and the AmCham-EU, advocating on behalf of your mem- bers with government offi cials at all levels, and your business outreach programs are reasons why AmCham will be successful in tackling these and other challenges. As we move out of the fi nancial crisis, I am hopeful that the economic situ- ation in Bulgaria will improve and positively impact all of your companies. My congratulations again on a successful year and an even better 2011. Sincerely, James B. Warlick, United States Ambassador to Bulgaria 18 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BULGARIA address Dear Reader: Despite the backdrop of the fi nancial crisis, the trade and investment relationship between the United States and Bulgaria continues to grow. More U.S. companies are assessing opportunities in Bulgaria with a view to either undertake an investment project or establish a presence in the market for their Bulgarian and/or regional business activities. AmCham continues to be a strong and effective advocate for American business in Bulgaria. Your leadership and guidance to the government on the investment and renewable energy legislation, in particular, will en- courage even more American companies to invest here and contribute to the development of the clean energy and other key industries in Bulgaria. Moreover, your efforts to improve the business environment have at- tracted many new-to-market U.S. companies to Bulgaria, many of whom have signed agency agreements with local companies to represent their product or service. I look forward to our continued collaboration in the coming year as we help further develop the bilateral commercial partnership between our two countries. Congratulations on another great year and more success in the coming year. Sincerely, Scott Pozil Senior Commercial Offi cer, U.S. Embassy, Sofi a YEARBOOK 2011 19 address Dear Members and Readers: I am pleased to present you with a copy of AmCham Yearbook for 2011. The past year was an exceptional and exciting one for AmCham as we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Chamber, and that was also a celebration of the accomplishments of our member companies during all these years of doing business in the country. This publication focuses on the past year AmCham activities, high level policy-driven meetings with government offi cials, stimulating network- ing events, promotion and profi ling opportunities for our members and partners. We have further developed our professional capacities and we believe we have become one of the important partners for the Bulgarian government and for the U.S. Embassy. We hope also that this publication may generate some new ideas about your business which will lead to more growth and success of your com- pany. The achievements of the Chamber above all fi nd grounds in the strong relationship we have with you, our members, in your active involvement in our joint work, and in the dedication to the mission and values we all share. We thank you for that and we are looking forward to working to- gether for many more successes in future. Sincerely, Valentin Georgiev Executive Director American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria 20 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BULGARIA board of directors AmCham Bulgaria Board of Directors President Mr. Peter Lithgow AES Corporation Vice President Mr. Atanas Garov COLLIERS International Vice President Ms. Tanya Kosseva-Boshova European Trade Center OOD Treasurer Mr. George Gueorgiev Adecco Bulgaria Members Mr. Alex Nestor Chelopech Mining EAD Mr. Borislav Dimitrov Cisco Systems Bulgaria Ms. Dana L. Niedzielska PPD Bulgaria Mr. Daniel Berg European Bank