On December 13, 2005, the Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) awarded 14 Municipalities Ready for Business Certificates. The certificates were handed by USAID Director of Mission Mr. Michael Fritz.

The municipalities, covered certificate criteria, are: Vratza, Gorna Malina, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Kazanlak, Karlovo, Lovetch, Rakovski, Rousse, Tryavna, Yambol, Haskovo excellence, Gabrovo excellence, Sliven recertified, Pazardzhik recertified.

Team of American experts, FLGR representatives and InvestBulgaria Agency evaluated 16 municipalities and selected 14 of them. The certificates are valid for two years.

At the event were mayors, local economic development experts from 29 municipalities participants in Bulgarian Local Economic Development Partnership Program, representatives of Ministry of Economy, InvestBulgaria Agency, SME Agency, National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities and US Agency for International Development.

Individual certificates were given to local economic development experts, as well as awards in the following categories:

- best marketing material Municipality of Vratsa;

- most active LED expert Mrs. Dessislava Koleva, Municipality of Gabrovo;

- best web page within www.invest.bg Municipality of Montana;

- most active business support Municipality of Dobrich;

- most active investment support - Municipality of Pazardzhik;

- best material on economic topic Mr. Stefan Stefanov, LED expert in Municipality of Rousse.

Congratulations to winners!