site.btaBICA Marks 29 Years as Employers' Organization with Strong Public Presence

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) marked its 29th anniversary with an event at Sofia's Satirical Theatre on Friday. Addressing members and guests, Governing Board Chairman Rumen Radev said BICA remains a representative employers' organization with authority and a strong public presence.

Radev noted that BICA unites over 10,000 enterprises through more than 100 branch organizations, covering three-quarters of the nation's economic activities and two-thirds of municipalities via its regional chambers.

He highlighted key achievements over the past year, including support for Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone, approval of changes to regional planning areas expected to take effect in 2027, and progress towards OECD membership, potentially in 2026.

Radev also praised BICA's principled stance on draft budget reforms, stating that the organization successfully advocated necessary changes, and stressed that efforts to drive further reforms would continue. He said BICA firmly opposed a poorly drafted, risky budget for 2026, but welcomed the revised framework as an important step for its members.

Ending his speech, Radev thanked BICA's members, partners and supporters, saying: "Our strength lies in all of you - the real people from the real sector."

In 2025, BICA has been a leading voice on the euro and the 2026 Budget Bill. Rumen Radev called euro adoption a "strategic opportunity" to boost competitiveness and investment appeal, noting potential annual savings of over BGN 1 billion. On December 2, Radev presented the business community's demands that the government abandon plans to double the dividend tax, increase the contribution to the Pensions Fund by 2 percentage points, and roll out mandatory sales management software in retail outlets.