Bulgaria business travel information

Doing business in Bulgaria

In the years after joining the European Union (EU), Bulgaria has gotten in the picture for many international firms for investments and business opportunities. The country enjoys political stability and steady economic growth. The Bulgarian Government introduced the lowest tax rates in the region, a ten percent rate both on personal income and on corporate income, which contributed to strong foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis has slowed investment growth, particularly in the real estate and manufacturing sectors.

International companies are successfully conducting business across the major industry sectors. registered numerous successes in many sectors of the economy. EU membership will bring funding for infrastructure projects provided that the Bulgarian government is efficient and transparent. Bulgaria is also an excellent launching pad for sales into the European Union, Russia, Turkey and the Middle East.

Bulgaria boasts a talented labor force, has one of the lowest wage rates in EU, and a convenient geographical location. EU membership offers additional opportunities as Structural and Cohesion funds are funding major infrastructure projects.

Product tip: There are also nice looking laptop bags on the market! A laptop bag doesn’t have to be a dull conservative black bag. There are lot’s of great looking bags on the market these days. Special laptop bags with the protection that is needed for your laptop but also with nice designs in models and materials.

In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , Bulgaria you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

If there is a real medical emergency and you are in Sofia, call a taxi and ask to be taken to "Pirogov" (the best hospital for emergency cases).
Specialized Hospital for Emergency Medicine “Pirogov”
21 Totleben Blvd
Sofia
phone: 915-4411, 915-4290

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Bulgaria it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Bulgaria. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Bulgaria to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names and academic titles.
  If you ask a question and not getting direct answer try asking the question in different ways.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  Some time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, Bulgarian’s would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Remember: an empty glass will be refilled.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  Put a napkin on your lap.
  You are expected to eat seconds, so use small portions.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in Bulgarian

Bulgarian is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group. Bulgarian is written with the Cyrillic alphabet.

Please note that in Bulgarian body language a head shake means YES and a head nod means NO!

Although in business people speak English, some Bulgarian phrases can always come in hand....

Good morning!	Dobro utro!
Good evening!	Dobar wecher!
Welcome! (to greet someone)	Dobre doshal!
How are you?	Kak si?
I’m fine, thanks!	Dobre,mersi!
And you?	A ti?
Good/ So-So.	Dobre./ Biva.
Thank you (very much)!	Mnogo blagodaria!
You’re welcome!	Ti si dobre doshal!
Good night!	Leka nosht!
Good bye!	Chao.
I’m lost	Sagubih se
Can I help you?	Moje li da Vi pomogna?
Can you help me?	Moje li da mi pomognete?
Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)?	Kade e (baniata/aptekata)?
Go straight! then turn left/ right!	Varvete napravo!Posle savivate na liavo/diasno!
I’m looking for John.	Tarsia John.
How much is this?	Kolko struva tova?
Excuse me ...! (to ask for something)	Isvinete...
Excuse me! ( to pass by)	Isvinete moje li...
Do you speak (English/ Bulgarian)?	Govorite li (angliiski/ balgarski)?
Just a little.	Malko.
What’s your name?	Kaks se kaswate?
My name is ...	as se kasvam...
Mr.../ Mrs.…/ Miss…	Gospodin/ gospoja/ gospojitsa
Nice to meet you!	Priatno mi e da se saposnaem!
Bulgaria is a wonderful country	Balgaria e welikolepna strana.
I’m Sorry! (if you don’t hear something)	Sa sajelenie ne vi chuh.
Sorry (for a mistake)	Sajaliavam.
No Problem!	Niama nikakav problem.
Write It Down Please!	Molia sapishete.
I Don’t Understand!	Nishto ne rasbrah.
Yes/ No	Da/ ne