Hungarian Days in Samokov: Third Bulgarian - Hungarian Business Forum

The Third Bulgarian - Hungarian Business Forum is a joint event organized by the Regional Development Council of Samokov (RDCS), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the Ministry of Economy and Industry  - Trade Section at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hungary, the Municipality of Samokov, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County (Hungary), and will take place in Samokov from April 27 to 29, 2026. The event will bring together representatives of the business community, institutions, industry associations, and expert circles from Bulgaria and Hungary.

The aim of the forum is to promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, highlight opportunities for investment and partnerships, and create a favorable environment for productive B2B meetings.

Registration for the forum is free of charge. The program includes attractive accompanying events, a roadshow with visits to companies in the region, and a cultural program. On April 28, following the conclusion of the forum, the Regional Development Council of Samokov, in cooperation with the Belchinski Izvor Complex, will organize a TOUR TO THE “TSARI MALI GRAD” FORTRESS and a gala dinner with additional registration, which can be found in the registration form.

PROGRAM

08:30 – 09:30 Registration, coffee, networking and pre-scheduled B2B meetings.

 Moderator – Nevena Stoyanova

09:30 – 09:35 Opening remarks – Ms. Nevena Stoyanova, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Budapest.

09:35 – 09:40 Welcome address – Dr. Anton Kostadinov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria.

09:40 – 09:45 Welcome address – Mr. Csaba Valogh, Consul of Hungary in Bulgaria

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome address – H.E. Maria Angelieva, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Hungary (online)

PANEL DISCUSSION

“Institutional support for Bulgarian–Hungarian economic cooperation in a changing geo-economic environment in Europe – regions as drivers of investment”

09:45 – 10:45

Participants:

• Dr. Anton Kostadinov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria
• Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, Mayor of Samokov
• Mr. József Gaal, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County, Deputy Mayor of Kecskemét
• Dr. Yordan Bochkov, Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Hungary
• Mr. Petar Dzhelepov - Deputy Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) 
• Dr. Boyan Nikolaev, Deputy Executive Director – Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria
• Mr. Dobrin Ivanov, Executive Director of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria
• Mr. Miroslav Tonchev, Chairman of the Board, Sofia Chamber of Commerce
• Mr. Vladimir Tomov - Member of the Management Board and Chairman of the Investment Council at the BCCI.

Moderator – Dayana Kanazireva, Director “Project Development” at OKOL Lake Park

10:50 – 11:05 Bulgarian–Hungarian Economic and Trade Integration. Bulgaria in Schengen and Regional Benefits for Business – Nevena Stoyanova, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hungary.

11:05 – 11:15  “Samokov – the new model for year-round mountain tourism: Borovets and Malyovitsa as drivers of regional development, opportunities and expectations for new partnerships with the Kecskemét region” – lecturer Ivanka Vukova, chief expert "Tourism", Samokov Municipality.

11:15 – 11:45 Coffee Break

Moderator – Sotir Nemov, Managing Owner of “Si Commercial 7”

11:50 – 12:05

“The Kecskemét Model” – Opportunities for Partnerships and Sharing Best Practices from the Synergy between the Municipality, Business and the University – Mr. József Gaál (confirmation pending)

PANEL DISCUSSION

“Synergy between business and higher education: A recognized necessity – universities and industry as drivers of regional development”

12:05 – 13:05

Participants:

• Dr. Anton Kostadinov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Industry
• Mr. Petar Dzhelepov - Deputy Chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) 
• Dr. Boyan Nikolaev, Deputy Executive Director – Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria
• Mr. Dobrin Ivanov, Executive Director of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria
• Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, Mayor of Samokov
• Eng. Petar Georgiev, Managing Owner of “Samel 90” EAD 
• Mr. József Gaal, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County, Deputy Mayor of Kecskemét
• Mr. Miroslav Tonchev, Chairman of the Board, Sofia Chamber of Commerce
• Mr. Stanislav Staykov, Director “After-Sales Service” at Silver Star, General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz for Bulgaria

 13:05 – 13:50 Lunch

13:50 – 14:05 Signing of memorandums of cooperation

Moderator – Sotir Nemov

14:05 – 14:20 The business ecosystem of Samokov Municipality - economic profile and export orientation - Mr. Miroslav Tonchev, Chairman of the Management Board, Sofia Industrial Association

New concepts and projects., Chief Architect of the Municipality of Samokov, Nadezhda Klincheva

14:40 – 14:50 Opportunities for joint technological projects and logistics hubs, the vision for the new industrial zone of the city of Samokov, Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, Mayor of Samokov

14:50 – 15:00 Energy Security – A prerequisite for sustainable industrial development – Mr. Asen Asenov

15:00 – 15:05 Closing remarks – Nevena Stoyanova, Economic and Trade Counsellor, Embassy of Bulgaria in Hungary

15:15 – 17:00 Roadshow and visits to local companies – Samel 90 AD, Si Commercial OOD, A1 Motor Park Track

17:30 – 17:45 Departure from Samelion Complex for a visit to Tsari Mali Grad Fortress

17:45 – 18:30 Guided tour in English and Bulgarian

18:30 – 18:45 Departure for gala dinner at “Belchinski Izvor” restaurant

19:00 Gala dinner at “Belchinski Izvor” restaurant

The reservation and the ticket for the tour and gala dinner must be paid by April 24, 2026