The President Plevneliev and The Rector Statty Stattev Participated in A Conference on The Economic Growth

Tuesday, 26 June 2012 19:25

The President Rosen Plevneliev and the Rector of UNWE Prof. D. Sc. (Econ.) opened a Conference on The Prerequisites and Perspectives of Stable Economic Growth in Bulgaria and Europe. The Forum was conducted at the Large Conference Hall of UNWE and was organized by the University and the President Administration. At the event attended economic analysts and experts from the European Commission, UNWE, the Economic Institute to the Bulgarian Academy of Science, the Center for Liberal Strategies and Competitiveness, Industry Watch, the Center for Research of Democracy and the Economic Policy Institute.

 The Rector Prof. Stattev and the President Plevneliev

It will take 5-6 years to go back to the level before the crisis in 2008, pointed out Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev in his statement at the Conference. He analyzed the economic situation in Bulgaria comparing the internal demands, incomes, foreign investments, GDP. Inauspicious is the tendency of decrease in the percentage of domestic economy incomes which are one of the economic and social shock-absorbers, outlined the Rector. He also remarked that Bulgaria is one of the countries having the lowest GDP in Europe and the minimal level of the optimal fiscal reserve can lead to an increase of the state debt in the future. What`s the crisis like and whether it continues or it is already in the past, asked a question Prof. Stattev who considers that the economic theory and practice still don`t have reliable enough explanation of the current crisis which is examined as a complex phenomena and not only as separate crisis effects. The Rector determined as confusing the parallel between the current crisis and the great depression in the 20s of XX century. “I think that the current crisis is very similar to the crisis in the beginning of the 70s. The crisis runs as a notified death!”, pointed out Prof. Stattev. He outlined the increase in the quality of education and scientific researches as an essential factor for realization of a long-term economic growth.

The notion of growth should be filled of content, emphasized the President Plevneliev in his statement. He pointed out that he does not believe in the growth achieved by fast made money or by new debts that should be paid by the next generation but he said he believes in the stable growth based on reforms of competitiveness, productivity, auspicious business environment and an efficient global positioning. “My dream is our state to have an economic development based on the small and medium enterprises but these enterprises to be innovative and export oriented”, outlined the President.

In the field of education the President emphasized on the necessity of forming professionals with practical skills as well as the incorporation of the concept for long- life learning. He spoke about the leading role of universities for forming an entrepreneur culture at young people, about the potential of universities to demonstrate a high level of lecturers not only on national but also on European scale.

Bulgaria should not search for “cheap money”, pointed out Dr. Istvan Shekeli, Director at the General Directorate for Economic and Financial Issues to the European Commission. The optimal human resources use, the attraction of foreign investors, decreasing the business costs and creating the systems for transfer of knowledge are the concrete conditions for a successful development. Shekeli outlined that our country is fiscally disciplined and has succeeded to stabilize its macroeconomic indices.

Dr. Ishtvan Shekeli

Three main factors of European prosperity – a fiscal consolidation, structural reform and growth outlined Margaritis Schinas, Deputy Chairwoman of the Council on European Policies to the Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. He pointed out that these elements should be included in a unified set of instruments. Schinas outlined as key reforms the education and research activity. 

Margaritis Schinas

About the necessity of new steps for industrial growth in a short-term plan spoke Dr. Konstantin Peshev, Chief of Division for Economic Analyses and Assessment of the Impact at the General Directorate of Enterprises and Industry to the European Commission. The alumnus of UNWE pointed out that the road of recovery from the crisis passes through more investments, more competitive export, energy effectiveness and improvement of the business climate. The world enters upon a new industrial revolution and universities have a leading responsibility in this aspect, said Dr. Peshev.

Dr. Konstantin Peshev

The place of Bulgaria according to the rankings and statistics outlined Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Bistra Boeva from the International Economic Relations Department at the UNWE. Only 10 % of the small and medium enterprises in our country have a recourse to finance new technologies, it comes up 20% shortage of highly qualified work force, pointed out Prof. Boeva giving suggestions and outlooks on “Scenario A” for economic growth. 

Prof. Bistra Boeva

Expertly grounded theses were defended by a lot of participants in their statements at the Conference. The President Plevneliev was determined by the Forum as an exclusively useful in his conclusive statement. The President pointed out that the great task now is these ideas to be turned in results. The Rector Prof. Stattev announced that the reports and statements from the Conference will be published in a special edition and probably in autumn it will be organized again a similar Forum. 

 At The Large Conference Hall

“The economic development is in the basis of every other kind of development of the nation and state. The prosperity and growth of the individual and economy are based on the good education, the acquired skills, the competitiveness and auspicious environment for entrepreneurship and business. I am grateful to UNWE for the fact that the specialists of the future of Bulgaria are formed and motivated here. The ones who will work for a modern, prosperous Bulgaria.”, wrote the President Plevneliev in the Golden Book of UNWE. 

The President is writing his epistle in The Golden Book of UNWE. 

 Discussion was broadcasted live by the Internet. 

 

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