site.btaRegional Economic Summit in Sofia to Bring Together Development Banks, Business Leaders

Sofia will host the 3rd AmChams Regional Economic Summit (ARES 2026) on Thursday, organizers said. BTA is a media partner of the event.

Financial opportunities will be the focus of the ARES 2026 programme. Representatives of three supranational development banks and one national development bank will discuss their strategic priorities, interests and key areas requiring public and private financing. The institutions are the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB).

The event is expected to bring together more than 300 business leaders from 15 countries in Southeast Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

“Cross-border projects and regional development beyond any single border require stable and comprehensive financial partners. We are pleased that leading experts from the BSTDB, EBRD, World Bank and BDB will share their views. We believe the formula should include public-private partnerships, and these projects should benefit all stakeholders,” said American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria CEO Ivan Mihaylov.

Expected official guests and participants include Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Energy Minister Iva Petrova, Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vassilev, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov, among others.