Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
City of the flourishing buisness
Municipality of Silistra
Background
One of the priorities in the Strategic Plan of the Municipality of Silistra for the period 2000 2006 is promoting the economic potential of the region and supporting the local businesses. For this purpose, the Municipality established the annual trade exhibition Manufactured for You Silistra which takes place with the support of Business Forum Ltd., Sofia.
The Silistra Economics Department has set the goal to assist the local firms in reaching new clients or suppliers and open the city for businessmen from all over the country. In addition, the program of the trade exhibition has expanded each year in order to attract new target groups of different business fields. After the third edition of the exhibition, local firms, municipal authorities and the Silistra community are confident of the initiative s success.
One of the priorities in the Strategic Plan of the Municipality of Silistra for the period 2000 2006 is promoting the economic potential of the region and supporting the local businesses. For this purpose, the Municipality established the annual trade exhibition Manufactured for You Silistra which takes place with the support of Business Forum Ltd., Sofia.
The Silistra Economics Department has set the goal to assist the local firms in reaching new clients or suppliers and open the city for businessmen from all over the country. In addition, the program of the trade exhibition has expanded each year in order to attract new target groups of different business fields. After the third edition of the exhibition, local firms, municipal authorities and the Silistra community are confident of the initiative s success.
Practice
The support of business growth in the Municipality is part of the policy conducted by Mayor Ivo Andonov and his staff, aimed to prove not only to Bulgaria but also to neighboring countries that Silistra is a city with a promising future.
In 2000, there was massive distrust towards local business. Expressions like What should I do in this godforsaken town could be heard quite often. In spite of this, 38 firms from Silistra and from other parts of the country participated in the first exhibition. It turned into a significant event for everybody for citizens and visitors of the town who were able to see and buy cheap quality goods; participating firms which found new business partners; organizers who created something new and useful for the citizens.
In 2001, organizing the exhibition turned a lot easier, but the responsibility as well as the interest towards it grew substantially. More than 50 firms participated. A Festival of the Beer was organized for the first time, which, together with the International Children s Festival, proved to be a memorable event. After closing the second exhibition, the organizers already knew that it had been just one of many more to come. "Manufactured for You Silistra 2000 convinced everybody that it is really a way for stimulating the small and middle size enterprizes, attracting new investments, and creating conditions for the opening of new jobs.
The innovation in the third edition was the participation of Romanian firms. The interest towards the exhibition brought 27 firms from round the country, 19 from Silistra, and 16 from Romania. For the organizers it was satisfying to hear comments like Silistra has turned into a very beautiful city, it is quite useful for us to participate in the exhibition coming from different firms from Varna, Sofia, Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad.
Craftwork was represented for the first time in the 2002 trade exhibition. Local artists also organized their own exhibition. Some firms offered their samples and catalogues, which helped signing contracts on site during the exhibition. The Municipality of Silistra and Business Forum Ltd. awarded some of the participants in the Manufactured for You Silistra 2002 event.
The Romanian firm producing alcoholic drinks, Alkoprod Service from the town of Uzicheni, the furniture manufacturer Arma from Silistra, and the sportswear manufacturer Sineta from Sopot received the statue of the pelican (the symbol of the exhibition) for their excellent presentation.
The Romanian firm manufacturing furniture Prodesign from Slobozia, the technical equipment company Kamo from Silistra, the clothes-producing company Gema 96 from Plovdiv, as well as Moto Pfoe, participating for the third time, were awarded with Business Forum certificates.
The support of business growth in the Municipality is part of the policy conducted by Mayor Ivo Andonov and his staff, aimed to prove not only to Bulgaria but also to neighboring countries that Silistra is a city with a promising future.
In 2000, there was massive distrust towards local business. Expressions like What should I do in this godforsaken town could be heard quite often. In spite of this, 38 firms from Silistra and from other parts of the country participated in the first exhibition. It turned into a significant event for everybody for citizens and visitors of the town who were able to see and buy cheap quality goods; participating firms which found new business partners; organizers who created something new and useful for the citizens.
In 2001, organizing the exhibition turned a lot easier, but the responsibility as well as the interest towards it grew substantially. More than 50 firms participated. A Festival of the Beer was organized for the first time, which, together with the International Children s Festival, proved to be a memorable event. After closing the second exhibition, the organizers already knew that it had been just one of many more to come. "Manufactured for You Silistra 2000 convinced everybody that it is really a way for stimulating the small and middle size enterprizes, attracting new investments, and creating conditions for the opening of new jobs.
The innovation in the third edition was the participation of Romanian firms. The interest towards the exhibition brought 27 firms from round the country, 19 from Silistra, and 16 from Romania. For the organizers it was satisfying to hear comments like Silistra has turned into a very beautiful city, it is quite useful for us to participate in the exhibition coming from different firms from Varna, Sofia, Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad.
Craftwork was represented for the first time in the 2002 trade exhibition. Local artists also organized their own exhibition. Some firms offered their samples and catalogues, which helped signing contracts on site during the exhibition. The Municipality of Silistra and Business Forum Ltd. awarded some of the participants in the Manufactured for You Silistra 2002 event.
The Romanian firm producing alcoholic drinks, Alkoprod Service from the town of Uzicheni, the furniture manufacturer Arma from Silistra, and the sportswear manufacturer Sineta from Sopot received the statue of the pelican (the symbol of the exhibition) for their excellent presentation.
The Romanian firm manufacturing furniture Prodesign from Slobozia, the technical equipment company Kamo from Silistra, the clothes-producing company Gema 96 from Plovdiv, as well as Moto Pfoe, participating for the third time, were awarded with Business Forum certificates.
Results
The trade exhibition and the investment forum are part of the policy of the Municipality of Silistra for supporting the local business and opening of new jobs. The results achieved so far prove that Manufactured for You Silistra successfully advertises local manufacturers` production and gives local firms the opportunity to establish new business contacts.
A positive result of the exhibition was the fact that several participants in the 2002 edition have already applied for the exhibition in the year 2003.
The trade exhibition and the investment forum are part of the policy of the Municipality of Silistra for supporting the local business and opening of new jobs. The results achieved so far prove that Manufactured for You Silistra successfully advertises local manufacturers` production and gives local firms the opportunity to establish new business contacts.
A positive result of the exhibition was the fact that several participants in the 2002 edition have already applied for the exhibition in the year 2003.
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