24.03.2025 Deljana Ivanova: BDB supports companies to implement new technologies and digitalization

The Bulgarian Development Bank manages a number of instruments through which it supports small and medium-sized enterprises to implement new technologies and to digitalize their production. This was stated by the Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank Delyana Ivanova at the opening of the Innovation 2025 Forum. The event is organized by the Council on Innovation, Digitalization and New Technologies at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In Ivanova's words, Bulgaria has huge potential to be a driver of innovation and technology transfer in Southeast Europe. "To achieve this goal, we need to strengthen the partnership between the state, financial institutions and universities, as well as provide focused support and access to funding. This is where the key role of the BDB comes in, as the only state-owned bank to support SMEs in innovation, technology transfer and digitalisation. This will lead to sustainable business, growth and increased efficiency and productivity," explained the Deputy Chairman of the BDB SB.

As an example, Delyana Ivanova pointed to the InvestEU programme, under which the bank is an implementing partner of the European Commission and is to mobilise through the commercial banks a resource of BGN 2.5 billion. Thanks to the funds, SMEs will implement projects aimed at sustainability and competitiveness, digitalisation, automation of production and green investments.

"Through strategic partnerships we can promote innovation and that is why the BDB as a supporting institution is actively working with employers' organisations and universities to find the intersection between science and business for growth," Ivanova added.