A sequential sustainable development forum, organized by UBB was held on 30 June in Varna city. The UBB for Sustainable Business project, realized with the media partnership of 24 Chasa Daily, gathered in one place entrepreneurs, local government, institutions and representatives of the Bank, united by the idea for cleaner environment, higher efficiency and better future.

The conference was declared open by Frank Jansen, Executive Director SME Banking at UBB, who welcomed the participants and emphasized on the commitment of UBB and the KBC Group companies in Bulgaria for sustainable development and social responsibility. He talked about the results from the Bank's own programmes for reduction of the negative impact on the environment, by stating that UBB used 100% green energy, more than 70% of its fleet comprised hybrid or electric vehicles, on the availability of 50 charging stations, built for the needs of customers and the Group. Special attention was paid to UBB initiatives for planting new forests, also involving employees, who contributed with their volunteership, as for the last 5 years planted trees exceed 13 000. Regarding activities in support of the sustainable development of customers, he stated that for them the Bank created sustainable products and services – financing for photovoltaics, mortgage loans for energy efficient homes, financing and insurance of electric vehicles and others. „We are open to support any and all ideas for sustainable development“, he concluded.

Aleksandar Peev, General Manager Sustainable Development at KBC Group in Bulgaria on his part provided particular examples about successful funding of green solutions, enabling borrower-companies to substantially reduce their costs for electricity, fuel, maintenance, thus also reducing overall carbon footprint and exerting favourable impact on the environment.

The forum participants were deeply interested in the lecture by Dr. Emil Kalchev, PhD, Chief Economist of UBB. He presented an in-depth analysis of the macroeconomic situation, data about the labour market, inflation, bank fees and the attitude of businesses according to the National Institute of Statistics. He emphasized on the stable labour market, the low unemployment and the increase in the private sector salaries as factors for the good adaptability and stability of the Bulgarian economy in the turbulent business and political environment. In his opinion banks were prepared for the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria and the process was going to run successfully, and consequently, given the intensified investment activity it was possible that over the next 5-6 years salaries could reach 90% of the average EU levels.

The event continued with a discussion, involving the deputy mayor of Varna city, Mr. Hristo Rafailov, Mr. Danko Savov - General Manager of Savimex company, Mr. Samet Basri - Executive Director of Ekani AD company, Mr. Simeon Stoyanov from Evrotex OOD and Dr. Kiril Velichkov, PhD, Director European Projects and Financial Instruments at UBB. The panel moderator was Assoc. Prof. Marina Stefanova, PhD, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The discussion participants agreed on the stance that sustainable development was not an abstract concept, but a specific strategy, that could be followed by businesses, local governments and financial institutions – with the aim to achieve a cleaner environment, higher efficiency and better future.