BATEC is a professional environment of Bulgarian companies, leaders in their field of business that are dedicated to improving and further development of US – Bulgarian political, economic, cultural and educational interaction. BATEC is a business community of companies and managers, who have a sincere interest in the development of mutually beneficial business opportunities with US companies. We represent the business interests of our members and we work effectively to improve and develop the business environment in Bulgaria.

BATEC – Mission Statement

BATEC`s mission is to stimulate the development of private business in Bulgaria by facilitating its interaction with the international markets. We aim to assist the trade development between USA and Bulgaria. At the same time BATEC supports the establishment of Bulgarian- American joint ventures, investment funds and facilitates international business contacts.

BATEC achieves its mission by providing a wide variety of services for all companies and business leaders, who are willing to initiate business relations between both countries. The Council presents to potential US partners Bulgarian business proposals that have high potential for future successful development.

Why Bulgaria?

• EU membership in 2007 – Bulgaria is a perfect opportunity for US companies to enter the market of the European Union.
• NATO membership since 29 March 2004
• The most stable and predictable business and political environment in South-East Europe
• The lowest operating cost in a European market economy
• Industrial goods traded duty free between Bulgaria and the EU, EFTA, CEFTA and Turkey
• Excellent climate, natural scenery, food and hospitality
• Corporate tax rate – 15% and 0% in areas of high unemployment
• VAT exemption of equipment imports for investment projects over € 5 million
• Annual depreciation rate of 30% for machinery & equipment & 50% for software and hardware
• Opportunity to buy land through a company registered in Bulgaria with up to 100% foreign ownership
• Smooth, speeded up administrative service
• Infrastructure subsidy for investment projects over € 50 million
• 55 treaties for avoidance of double taxation
• 52 agreements on mutual protection and promotion of foreign investment
• Highly skilled, English-speaking work force at competitive cost

BATEC Activities

BATEC promotes and supports the contacts between Bulgarian and U.S. business to increase the volume of U.S. investments in Bulgaria, by performing the following activities:

• Support and logistics in research and establishing contact with between US and Bulgarian companies
• Consultancy for the efficient and successful organization of events
• Company-specific assistance and industry-sector efforts;
• Briefings, conferences and formal/informal networking opportunities.
• Research for international trade and investment opportunities (research- mailing- contact)
• Invite decision makers to Sofia and Bulgaria to introduce trade and investment opportunities directly on site
• BATEC interactive homepage and services
• Maintaining a data base and providing information about the import-export, financial, foreign exchange, customs, registration, license and any other regimes, related to foreign trade relations between the business circles and the registration of trade representative offices and companies with U.S. capital in Bulgaria and with Bulgarian capital in the U.S.A.
• Providing information on: goods; prices; as well as opportunities for trade on the European market.
• Organize discussions with its members on problems of the foreign trade relations between the two countries .
• Organize, at the request of its members, through the executives of BCCI, meetings with trade representative offices.
• Organize, with the help of the executives of BCCI, meetings with representatives of Bulgarian governmental bodies and institutions to discuss issues concerning the trade relations between the business circles of the two countries, as well as for the promotion of American investments to Bulgaria.
• Organize seminars, courses and other forms of training in connection with amendments in the legislations of the two countries, with reference to the regimes under item 1 .
• Organize the printing and distribution of periodical and non-periodical publications of translations, comments, statistical information, etc.
• Provide information about forthcoming fairs and exhibitions and assist its members to participate in them .
• Organize presentations of its members .
• Assist its members to advertise their activities in both countries.
• Assist the business circles of the two countries to establish contractual relations .
• Organize business trips and business meetings for its members.
• Take part, through the management of BCCI, in partnership with other organizations and institutions, in home and international projects, related to the activity of BATEC .
• Establish and maintain a data base for any other information proposed by members of BATEC

BATEC’s current Acting Chairman is Mr. Vesselin Valchev, Managing partner in IMCA Associates Ltd.

For contacts:
BATEC
9, Isakr Str.
1058 Sofia, BG
Tel.: (+359 2) 8117 417, 980 21 89
Fax: (+359 2) 987 3209
e-mail: batec@bcci.bg

BATEC is your reliable partner, do not hesitate to contact us!

	Partner
	Bulgarian-American Chamber of Commerce 1427 North Wilcox Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028-8123 Tel: (323) 962-2414   Fax: (323) 962-2010 www.bulgarianamericanchamber.org
	Bulgarian American Business Center (U.S. office) 3754 Center Way, Fairfax, VA 22033-2601 Tel. 703-385-9889 or 703-475-3821 Fax. 703-385-9839 Email: BABCenter@gmail.com Bulgarian American Business Center (European office) 1, Bulgaria Square National Palace of Culture Adm. Bldg., fl.14 1414 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: (+359 2) 952-6267 or (+359 2) 952-0690 Email: BABCenter@gmail.com