site.bta32nd Golden Martenitsa Awards Presented in Sofia

The Made in Bulgaria - Union of Small and Medium Enterprises held its 32nd Golden Martenitsa Annual Ceremony here on Monday. Attending the ceremony were President Iliana Iotova, representatives of the executive branch, industry associations, and business circles.

The award was established by the Union to support the revival of Bulgarian production and services and to enhance their competitiveness both domestically and internationally. The annual prize is inspired by the unique Bulgarian Martenitsa tradition as a wish for prosperity and health. This year’s awards were presented in four categories: Innovative company with unique products established in domestic and international markets; Enterprise that has gained the trust of Bulgarian consumers; Successful company offering traditional Bulgarian products with consistently high quality; Successful female entrepreneurship.

President Iotova presented the Golden Martenitsa for an innovative company with unique products to Luxpac Ltd. Founded in 1997 in Ruse, Luxpac Ltd. produces high-end paper and cardboard packaging. In 2013, the company developed and patented a zero-waste technology for luxury paper tubes, using eco-friendly materials such as algae, cotton, almond shell, and grape-based papers, combined with organic adhesives derived from food industry by-products. The company’s mission is to produce high-quality products while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource efficiency. 

The award for an enterprise that has gained the trust of Bulgarian consumers, was awarded to Kendy Ltd. by caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova. Kendy Ltd., a family-owned company with over 30 years of history, employs more than 300 staff across two production sites in Bankya and Bozhurishte, and operates in over 60 countries. The company specializes in food and pharmaceutical products, including SupraVit vitamins, Lactoflor probiotics, Stabiflex joint recovery products, Osteoactive supplements, and Picantina spices, Bulgaria’s market leader in seasoning.

The Golden Martenitsa for a successful company offering traditional Bulgarian products with consistently high quality went to Eko Mes Ltd.. The award was presented by Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association Chair Rumen Radev, who praised the winners and expressed hope for more family-founded Bulgarian companies with potential global reach. Eko Mes Ltd., founded in 1998 in Velichkovo, preserves and modernizes traditional Bulgarian charcuterie using sustainable practices. Its 20,000 sq.m. facility on over 23 ha produces over 50 tonnes daily of cured and smoked meats and pre-packaged products.

The award for successful female entrepreneurship went to Simona Srebranova, creator of the Easybook.bg platform. The prize was presented by Konstantin Arnaudov, Director of Corporate Banking at First Investment Bank AD. Easybook.bg is a Bulgarian digital platform for online bookings, offering users secure and accessible services across beauty, wellness, sports, healthcare, dining and more. For business partners, the platform offers an efficient solution for managing schedules and bookings, as well as an additional channel for online visibility and sustainable growth.

Addressing the ceremony, President Iotova emphasized that small and medium-sized businesses are part of Bulgaria’s national security, as they account for nearly 99% of the economy. She regretted that the executive authorities had not clearly stated that Bulgaria cannot yet accommodate the upcoming changes in the EU Common Agricultural Policy, highlighting the need to protect local agricultural and processing industries. She also stressed the need for discussion on the EU-Mercosur agreement, whose ratification has been postponed by the European Parliament.

Kancho Stoychev, founder and Chair of the Made in Bulgaria Union, highlighted the critical role of local production in national stability. According to him, Bulgarian production, particularly agriculture, is linked to national security as it ensures food supply during potential global crises. Stoychev criticized administrative burdens that fail to differentiate between small and large enterprises, noting that requirements for small businesses are often comparable to those for large industrial projects.