Invest in the district of Stara Zagora: Why the right time is now Invest in the district of Stara Zagora: Why the right time is now

Join us for an in-person event that examines the investment landscape of Stara Zagora.

Participate in discussions about local opportunities and challenges with industry leaders and entrepreneurs. This is a chance to share insights and consider pathways for future investment in the region.

The conference is part of the European project "Development of a strategy for entrepreneurship, innovation and digitalization in the Stara Zagora region and a roadmap for its implementation".

Watch a video of the event

Agenda

09:00–09:30 Registration (online event opens at 9:20)
09:30–09:35 Official opening of the event by Andrew Wrobel, Chief Reinvention Officer, Emerging Europe
09:35–09:40 Official welcome by the mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality, Zhivko Todorov
09:40–09:50 Investing in Stara Zagora: Strategic insights for smart investors – a fireside chat with Albena Markova, PwC, based on an analysis of commercial opportunities in the district.
09:50–10:40

First panel: Global FDI trends and the impact of technological advancements: Insights for Stara Zagora’s investment future

  • Elias van Herwaarden, GBS optimisation, cross-border business, international location strategy expert
  • David Rumble, Expert in customer experience, outsourcing and digitisation
  • Stephen Loynd, Founder of TrendzOwl
  • Dr Martin Kaspar, Strategy and Corporate Development expert, online
  • Ian Ilkyu Huh, Executive Vice President at SK Inc., online

Moderator: Andrew Wrobel, Chief Reinvention Officer, Emerging Europe

10:40–11:00 Networking coffee break
11:00–11:50

Second panel: Local success stories and challenges: Shaping Stara Zagora’s future business landscape

  • Vladimir Spasov, CEO of M+S Hydraulic Plc.
  • Ivo Zhekov, Co-owner of Ate Plast OOD
  • Smart Solar
  • Velizar Dimitrov, CTO at eDynamix

Moderator: Craig Turp-Balazs, Editor of Emerging Europe

11:50–12:40

Third panel: Incentives and the legal framework: Unlocking investment potential in Stara Zagora

  • Radostin Tanev, Deputy Mayor, Stara Zagora Municipality
  • Mila Nenova, Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency
  • Borislava Gabrovska, Senior Advisor at the European Investment Bank
  • Rositsa Raykova, Head of the "Investments, Energy Efficiency, and

Moderator: Andrew Wrobel, Founding Partner, Emerging Europe

12:40 Closing remarks by Andrew Wrobel, Chief Reinvention Officer, Emerging Europe
12:50 Networking luncheon

Speakers

Zhivko Todorov

Zhivko Todorov

Mayor of Stara Zagora

Zhivko Todorov is currently serving as the Mayor of Stara Zagora for his fourth term. He graduated with a degree in European Studies from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ochridski” and is fluent in both English and German.

An expert in project preparation and management for EU program funding, Todorov was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2009. He held several key positions during his time in the National Assembly, including Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee. From May to September 2010, he served as the Committee’s Chairman, and from September 2010 to 2011, he remained an active member of the same committee.

From September 2009 to January 26, 2011, Todorov led the Permanent Delegation of the National Assembly to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

His fourth term as mayor is set to conclude in 2027.

Martin Kaspar

Dr Martin Kaspar

Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development

As Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development of a hidden champion in the automotive industry, Dr Martin Kaspar is responsible for corporate strategy and internationalisation projects (greenfields).

Having completed his PhD at Durham University on the role of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA) on the location-decision making processes, Martin is a regular speaker / panelist at national and sub-national IPAs, International Organisations (UNCTAD, OECD, ILO) and professional bodies (WAIPA).

He has also been invited to become a member of the Commentary Group on Investment Facilitation, advise governments on FDI-attraction and is a regular attendee at the BoKoWiTa, bilateral multi-party coordination meetings, and Ditchley.

Martin has a bi-monthly column in fDi intelligence (the FDI-focused magazine of the FT group) and regularly publishesarticles in Investment Monitor and UNIDO-IAP.

Elias van Herwaarden

Elias van Herwaarden

GBS optimisation, cross-border business, international location strategy expert

Elias van Herwaarden is a cross-border business and international location strategy expert and a renowned authority on corporate cross-border challenges, with over three decades of experience guiding companies on strategic decisions related to location, operations, expansion and consolidation. He has played a pivotal role in more than 800 enterprise footprint optimisation projects, leveraging his extensive knowledge acquired through field work across 350 cities in 47 countries.

Elias has not only observed the rise of emerging business hubs but also the decline of others, offering unique insights into global economic shifts. As a fellow of the Faculty of Economics at Leuven University, he lectures on International Business Strategy. Additionally, he is a distinguished member of the Site Selectors Guild and has been recognised as one of the few global experts by the Shared Services and Outsourcing Network.

Albena Markova

Albena Markova

Partner, CEE Sustainability Platform Leader, PwC

Albena Markova is Partner and CEE Sustainability Platform Leader at PwC. She leads the Advisory practice of PwC in a number of countries in South East Europe, including Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Montenegro. Her expertise is strategic and management consulting with a focus on organisational and business transformations, strategies for growth and entry into new markets and segments, integration after a merger or acquisition, and change management.

Andrew Wrobel

Andrew Wrobel

Chief Reinvention Officer, Emerging Europe

Andrew Wrobel is the founding partner of Emerging Europe, a policy and business development advisory based in London and focused on 23 Europe’s high potential markets.

A globally recognised analyst and advisor on political developments, market trends, and technological growth and the region’s trajectory, he shares his expertise at large international events across the world, and at closed sessions put together by governments, development organisations, and IFIs, e.g. the World Bank.

He supports international investors in navigating the region and selecting the right locations that deliver their growth strategy. Andrew also helps governments in the region and beyond to develop investment and export strategies that build on the region’s strengths.

As a reinventionist, he brings a unique perspective that focuses on embracing change and seizing new opportunities, helping to reimagine what’s possible for and in emerging Europe.

Radostin Tanev

Radostin Tanev

Deputy Mayor, Stara Zagora Municipality

Radostin Tanev serves as the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Ecology, Investments, and Green Transition. He holds a Master's degree in Financial Management from the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov and completed his secondary education at Vasil Levski Secondary School in Stara Zagora.

Tanev has extensive experience in public service, having been a member of the 44th and 45th National Assembly of Bulgaria, as well as a municipal councilor from 2015 to 2017. His background and leadership continue to contribute significantly to the development and sustainable growth of the Stara Zagora region.

Rositsa Raykova

Rositsa Raykova

Head of the "Investments, Energy Efficiency, and Green Transition" department at the Municipality of Stara Zagora

Rositsa Raykova is from Stara Zagora and is the Head of the "Investments, Energy Efficiency, and Green Transition" department at the Municipality of Stara Zagora. She has worked for more than ten years at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria as a department head, focusing on strategies and programs for economic growth. Her primary expertise and competencies lie in public policy, structural reforms, economic development, macroeconomics, and investments. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and has obtained qualifications from various institutions such as the International Monetary Fund in Washington, the Joint Vienna Institute, and the National School of Public Administration in Paris, France – Ecole Nationale d’Administration. Over the past four years, she has been engaged in attracting foreign companies to the Stara Zagora region. Her team, Invest Stara Zagora, actively promotes the business climate and investment opportunities and assists companies in growing and expanding their business in Stara Zagora.

Mila Nenova

Mila Nenova

Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency

Mila Nenova has been Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency since October 2023. The Agency is responsible for promoting Bulgaria as an investment destination, attracting foreign investment and certifying investment projects in the country. Since February 2024 she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Vienna Economic Forum.

She graduated from the English Language School in Plovdiv and has a master degree in Law from the Faculty of Law at Sofia University.

Her professional experience is vast. She has worked as consultant at the legal department of Deloitte & Touche Ltd for three years. For the subsequent eight years she worked in Alba, Italy, where she was Head of Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the headquarters of Miroglio AD. After her experience in Italy, she chose to return to Bulgaria where she later became Director of Confindustria Bulgaria. As Director she planed and managed all the activities of the Association: institutional representation, promoting Bulgaria and creating bilateral links and supporting new and established investors in their activities in Bulgaria.

Craig Turp-Balazs

Craig Turp-Balazs

Editor of Emerging Europe

Craig Turp-Balazs is the editor of Emerging Europe.

An enormously experienced journalist, writer and analyst, Craig has lived and worked in Central and Eastern Europe for more than 25 years.

His sharp, pertinent analysis of the political and business climate of the region, and deep understanding of its history, has long made him a sought-after guest on leading international media channels, including the BBC and TRT.

Drawing on extensive research and a nuanced grasp of local contexts, Craig regularly provides thought leadership that influences decision-makers across industries, from technology and business to regional politics, working with organisations large and small (from the World Bank to start-ups) across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Whether analysing political shifts, market innovations, or technological advancements, Craig brings a rare combination of analytical rigour, regional expertise, and strategic vision, and has become a trusted voice in shaping perspectives on the future of the region.

Stephen Loynd

Stephen Loynd

Founder of TrendzOwl

Stephen Loynd is a futurist, author, and global trend analyst. He is the founder of TrendzOwl, where he serves as the principal analyst, providing market intelligence and advisory services to a key set of clients.

He tracks a set of interrelated dynamics impacting global enterprises—from the relentless advance of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging digital platforms to the evolution of virtual spaces and the powerful devices enabling them. The central theme driving his research is exponential technological change and its role in shaping an era of immersive techno-consumerism, along with the increasingly high service expectations that accompany it.

With over 20 years of experience as a leading business process outsourcing (BPO) analyst, including tenures at IDC and Frost & Sullivan, Stephen publishes thought-provoking books, research and frequently speaks at industry conferences and corporate events around the world.

Borislava Gabrovska

Borislava Gabrovska

Senior Advisor at the European Investment Bank

Borislava Gabrovska is a Senior Advisor at the European Investment Bank. Her role is to identify and meet the advisory needs of project promoters from EU Member States who are looking at enhancing their investment readiness and moving projects closer to financing or implementation. She has extensive experience in project development and assessment throughout the life cycle, from inception and feasibility to structuring and successful execution. Borislava has more recently been entrusted with overseeing the advisory services under the Public Sector Loan Facility in the context of the InvestEU Advisory Hub.

Vladimir Spasov

Vladimir Spasov

CEO of M+S Hydraulic Plc.

Vladimir Spasov was born in Sofia. He graduated from the Mathematics and Natural Sciences High School Akad. Nikola Obreshkov in Kazanlak and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna with a degree in Shipbuilding Engineer. He holds a master's degree from the Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov with a degree in Commercial Management.

Vladimir Spasov has been part of M+S Hydraulic Plc. since 2000, starting from the marketing department and reaching the positions of commercial director and commercial representative. He has been the company's procurator since 2013. He is the winner of the "Manager of the Year" award in the 15th anniversary edition of the competition.

Led by Vladimir Spasov, M+S Hydraulic plays an important role both for Kazanlak and the region, and for the country. The company ranks among the top three companies in the world specializing in the production of hydraulic components.

Over the years, M+S Hydraulic has become one of the emblems of Kazanlak both in Bulgaria and around the world.

Ivo Zhekov

Ivo Zhekov

Co-owner of Ate Plast OOD

Ivo Zhekov holds a Master’s degree in International Economic Relations from the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov and completed a Master’s Program at the International Packaging Institute in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

With over 25 years of experience in the field of polymer film and packaging production, nearly all of his professional experience has been with Ate Plast Ltd., a family-owned company with two production facilities in Stara Zagora and customers in more than 20 European countries.

David Rumble

David Rumble

Expert in customer experience, outsourcing, customer experience and digitisation

David Rumble is an industry-leading expert in customer experience, outsourcing, customer experience and digitisation. He has a wealth of experience covering all aspects of global business services operating models incorporating multi-shoring.

Now working in an advisory capacity, he is uniquely placed understanding both client and supplier perspectives. David has supported and completed a large number of successful right-shoring transactions within the GBS/BPO sector on both client and supply side around the globe.

Outside his advisory work with OC David is founder and Chairman of The Knowledge Group, ‘tkg’, a digital sourcing firm specialising in the GBS/BPO Category. David is an Advisory Board member for CapeBPO the inward investment body for the Western Cape, South Africa. He is also active in supporting economic transformation through Impact Sourcing in both East and West Africa.

Ian Ilkyu Huh

Ian Ilkyu Huh

Executive Vice President at SK Inc.

Dr Ian Huh serves as the Executive Vice President at SK Inc., the holding company for SK Group's diverse portfolio. Since 2019, Dr Huh has been dedicated to addressing the emerging challenges within the energy delivery ecosystem. His key areas of interest include aligning the disparity between carbon-free energy supply and demand, and developing innovative consumer applications to accelerate electrification.

Dr Huh joined SK Group in 2015, initially taking on the role of Senior Vice President at SK Telecom, where he led the B2B business division. Prior to his tenure at SK, he spent 14 years with Samsung Electronics, assuming various leadership positions in semiconductor product marketing. Dr Huh holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US, and both an MS and BS from the College of Engineering at Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Velizar Dimitrov

Velizar Dimitrov

CTO at eDynamix

Velizar is one of the founders and currently the Chief Technical Officer of eDynamix. In 2000, he successfully graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in Computer Science.

The idea for the company and a product aimed at helping car dealers manage their service operations was born in Birmingham. By March 2011, eDynamix had already established a presence in Bulgaria, choosing the city of Stara Zagora for its first office in the country. Starting with just three people, Velizar now leads a team of over 160 specialists across offices in Stara Zagora and Plovdiv.

His greatest passion is music and high-quality Hi-Fi sound. He loves traveling and still writes code for fun.

Organised and Supported by

Location

Cultural Centre Stara Zagora

 
 

Stara Zagora, Tsar Simeon the Great Blvd. No. 108