Tsanko Arabadzhiev: The goal of BDB is access to financing for every effective business venture

"When businesses have quick and easy access to finance, the economy grows. Our mission at the BDB is to be the bridge that turns European financial instruments into real support for entrepreneurs." This was stated by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Development Bank Tsanko Arabadzhiev during the International Conference "Financial and Investment Support for SMEs - Sofia International Money Expo" (SIM EXPO 2025). The 6th edition of the forum was held under the motto "Sofia - Regional Financial Hub".

Arabadzhiev presented some of the bank's key programs, stressing that the BDB Group has a full palette of financial instruments to support businesses directly and through partner banks.  

He highlighted the advantages of the InvestEU program, of which the BDB is an implementing partner for Bulgaria and provides guarantees to commercial banks for lending to businesses at reduced collateral requirements.

"In recent years, we have been preparing to do such a project ourselves with funds from the EC and the national budget to reach the end customer faster and on a larger scale. From 1 January 2026 portfolios will start to be formed under the new program," the BDB's Executive Director explained.

The proided funds in support of business are BGN 2.5 billion and the largest Bulgarian banks have expressed interest in partnership. Entrepreneurs will be able to benefit from a number of concessions in terms of collateral, interest rates and own-participation requirements.

"This will strengthen the role of the BDB in the local market and help businesses to implement various projects - especially those that are more difficult to finance from commercial banks but are economically viable. We will be able to revitalise a number of sectors, helping to create new jobs," Tsanko Arabadzhiev added.

15 October 2025