Delyana Ivanova: BDB Will Support Businesses and Strategic Investments through Targeted Financing Programmes

The new Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) was presented today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Industry and Investment Alexander Pulev. Delyana Ivanova remains Chair of the Supervisory Board, joined by Daniel Berg, Ivan Kutlov and Ivan Raichkov. The new members bring extensive experience in banking and financial management and international investment.

“The Bulgarian Development Bank is now where it should be - at the heart of the country’s economic policy,” Minister Pulev said. He emphasized that BDB will play a key role as a financial instrument for implementing the new economic policy, with a focus on financing Bulgarian businesses, agriculture, strategic industries and infrastructure projects.

Among the priorities outlined by Pulev to the Supervisory Board are support for small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperation among agricultural producers, attracting strategic investment and mobilising private capital through public-private partnerships. The bank will work to advance these priorities through dedicated financing programmes and products in line with its mandate as a development bank.

“Together with my colleagues, who are highly respected professionals in the banking sector, we will build on what has already been achieved and work to advance the country’s national priorities through dedicated financing programmes and products. One of the priorities highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister Pulev is attracting strategic investment to Bulgaria in order to generate growth, create jobs and improve people’s prosperity. In its role of supporting the Bulgarian government’s economic policies, BDB will do everything necessary to help deliver on this priority,” said Delyana Ivanova, Chair of the Supervisory Board.

She also highlighted the responsibility to ensure transparent and sound governance of the bank and its management bodies, so that its activities deliver tangible results for the economy and society. Public oversight and the link with the needs of businesses and local communities are ensured by the Advisory Council to BDB’s Supervisory Board. Its members include the nationally representative employers’ and trade union organisations, as well as the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB).

Daniel Berg has more than 35 years of professional experience, including over two decades at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), where his responsibilities included Bulgaria. He has managed investment portfolios in both the public and private sectors, including a portfolio worth EUR 2.5 billion. During the presentation, he identified public-private sector cooperation, attracting financing and investment, and ensuring sound governance of the bank as areas in which he intends to contribute.

Ivan Kutlov has more than 30 years of banking experience, including senior positions at United Bulgarian Bank (UBB). His expertise covers financial control, capital markets, investment banking, regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering.

Ivan Raichkov has more than 30 years of professional experience, including over 26 years in the financial sector, among them at UniCredit Bulbank. His expertise includes banking operations, risk management and payment infrastructure.