Lider.bg turned Plovdiv into a center for strategic business dialogue
On April 28, 2026, the Lider.BG Regional Business Conference took place at TEZ Event Center in Plovdiv. The event was held under the patronage of the Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region, Prof. Dr. Vladislav Popov, and the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce was a partner. With the initiative “Regional Business Conferences”, Lider.BG provides a platform and creates a business environment where companies find partners, institutions meet the business sector, and decisions lead to real investments.
The official opening was delivered by Prof. Dr. Vladislav Popov, Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region, who emphasized the strategic importance of the region and the role of business in sustainable economic development.
Welcoming speeches were delivered by:
- Eng. Plamen Panchev – Co-founder and Executive Director of Trakia Economic Zone
- Iliyana Ilieva – Executive Director of the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce
- Yuliyan Balchev – Secretary General of the Bulgarian Investment Agency
- Bilyana Georgieva – Executive Director of Lider.BG
In her speech, Iliyana Ilieva emphasized that the Chamber supports the initiative for regional conferences, as business is not concentrated solely in Sofia, and companies operating in the regions need meetings and opportunities to build partnerships. She added that, according to the Chamber, such events build bridges between companies and reduce the distance between them.
A special highlight in the program was the participation of the gold sponsor of the 2026 initiative – Shell, represented by Maria Gyurova, Regional Manager “Business Clients”, who presented modern solutions for fleet management, optimization of transport costs, and sustainable models for corporate mobility.
Panel I: Investments, Growth, and Business Environment
The first panel focused on access to financing, asset valuation, industrial infrastructure, and digital transformation as key drivers of investment.
Participants included:
- Smart Factoring – Tihomir Tihomirov, Head of Sales
- Advance Expert Assessments – Tsenka Bozhilova, Managing Partner
- CTP – Nikolay Vasilev, Senior Project Manager
- Lead Vision – Miroslav Petrov, Managing Director
The discussion outlined the key factors for sustainable growth: fast access to financing, realistic asset valuation, the right choice of industrial location, and digital infrastructure as part of the investment environment.
Panel II: Innovation and Technology
The second panel examined the role of automation, industrial technologies, energy efficiency, and digitalization as essential foundations for competitiveness.
Participants:
- ABB – Teodora Petrova-Vasileva, Commercial Director
- STAMH – Vladimir Shokordov, Commercial Director
- Up Tombou – Emiliyan Krivachkov, Commercial Director
- TOKI – Dinko Atanasov, Regional Manager
Participants discussed how automation, intelligent energy management, and technological solutions are no longer a competitive advantage, but a necessary foundation for sustainable development and higher efficiency.
Panel III: Economic Security and Sustainable Business Environment
The final panel focused on data protection, physical security, and talent retention as key elements of a sustainable business environment.
Participants:
- Balkansworks – Ivan Dudin, Managing Director
- Security Agency “Scorpio” – Kamen Penkov, Commercial Director
- Maple Bear – Kosta Bodukov, Administrative Director of Maple Bear Plovdiv
The discussion highlighted the important conclusion that economic security is not only a matter of technology and protection, but also the ability of businesses to create an environment in which people choose to stay and develop.
The official part concluded with business networking and a cocktail reception, where participants had the opportunity for direct meetings and discussions with partners, investors, and company representatives in the expo area, including APIS, Hörmann, Postbank, ETEM, CTP, NTZ Transport, Eurofast, and others.
The next Lider.BG Regional Business Conference will take place on May 21, 2026, in Ruse, where the initiative will continue to connect business, institutions, and the investment community in the region.
