Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bulgaria

The Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry /PCCI/ is registered in 1990 as a legal person, a non-profit organization, unifying representatives of the business community of a region, covering a population of 1,2 million and more than 34 000 companies. It is based on the principles of voluntary membership and independence from the state institutions. It is a self-sustaining organization. Main objective: to support and promote the regional industry, operating at the national and international levels. PCCI is a holder of 29 years of experience in the field of identifying and promoting business and investment opportunities at the domestic and international levels.

LEGAL STATUS
Juridical person, a non-government, non-profit organization, registered at the Plovdiv County Court on 03.04.1990. Based on the principle of voluntary membership.

MANAGEMENT BODIES
The General Assembly of members – supreme body. The Management Board – manages the Chamber within General Assemblies, President and CEO – operative management, representative, and administrative functions.

The MAIN OBJECTIVE according to Chamber Statutes “to support and promote the initiatives and activities of companies and organizations engaged in business, to represent and protect members’ interests and to co-operate to further their development in foreign trade relations and partnerships.”

FINANCING
Self-financing organization. PCCI does not receive subsidies from the state. It relies on its own methods of income generation such as membership fees, services, EU programs, etc.

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
District of Plovdiv and the Southern-Central Region of Bulgaria, operates within the Bulgarian Chambers of Commerce system(28), the World Chamber Network, the Enterprise Europe Network Network(600), provides business-oriented services for approximately 300 members and 5000 clients per year.
Being a non-profit association, the Chamber works on the basis of a wide range of business services and is recognized to be a representative of the biggest national employers’ organization.

Main services/activities: Business cooperation, Consultancy, International Projects, Awareness-raising, Events, Seminars, Company missions and B2B meetings, Vocational training, etc.

Networking: PCCI collaborates actively with the respective public authorities, branch organizations, environmental service providers, academic and research bodies, etc.
Centers: The Chamber hosts a number of specific centers:

Enterprise Europe Network -Plovdiv – an EEN center that is part of the largest network in Europe supporting SME’s competitiveness and innovation; a gateway to a wealth of information on doing business, finding collaborative partners, and increasing your competitiveness in Europe.

Vocational Training Center acknowledged for its excellence and efficiency. It organizes vocational training in environmental regulations, business administration, various specialized courses for qualification and training in safety at work, catering, accounting, language courses, etc.

Specific expertise: consultancy in foreign trade, business cooperation, access to finance, start-ups, enhancing management capacities, vocational training, EU project management, female entrepreneurship, agro-food sector, tourism, and cultural heritage, etc.