Bulgarian manufacturers of apparel, shoes and furniture want to stop procedure “Technological Modernization of Small and Medium Enterprises”, part of Operational program “Competitiveness”

Companies from T&C, furniture, leather and footwear industries want to stop procedure “Technological Modernization of Small and Medium Enterprises”, part of Operational program “Competitiveness”. Common appeal was sent to the Supreme Administrative Court which aims to suspend the grant scheme, because the guidelines for applicants under this procedure substantially restrict the circle of eligible candidates. The companies estimate the actual scheme excludes entire industries from the manufacturing sector from participation.

Beside the legal case is the moral one: goal of helping businesses to improve their competitiveness. It is more than difficult for the enterprises to finance with their own funds investment projects, so the procedure normally must to help them, not to put barriers on the way. Part of the excluded industrial sector may actually have lower added value, but they are essential part of the Bulgarian economy and business.

Representatives of the companies are adamant that the administration unilaterally und uncontrolled decide on what company to be granted financial aid. It is important to ensure transparency, objectivity and public control over the administration and thus play a particularly great role in restoring confidence in the mechanisms for absorption of EU funding in Bulgaria.