Norwegian-Bulgarian Forum: Exploring Opportunities for Green Growth
On April 16th, the Norwegian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) hosted a significant forum in Sofia focused on opportunities for green growth. This event was part of the project “Green, Tasty, Eco-Friendly – Norwegian-Bulgarian Cooperation,” supported by the Norway Grants 2014-2021 under the Programme “Business Development, Innovation and SMEs, Bulgaria.”
The forum brought together participants from both Norway and Bulgaria, providing a platform for companies interested in sustainable practices and green business development. It was an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas on how to implement eco-friendly strategies in various industries.
The event was inaugurated by Mrs. Venceslava Yanchovska, Honorary Consul General of Norway to Bulgaria and Manager of Innovation Norway, Sofia, alongside Mr. Anders Stølan, Chairman of the NBCC. Their opening remarks emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries in achieving sustainable growth.
Key Presentations
The forum featured a series of insightful presentations from experts in sustainability and innovation:
- Ms. Rannveig Solumsmoen Gimse, Programme Director Bulgaria at Innovation Norway, delivered a motivating presentation on the EEA and Norway Grants. She highlighted the opportunities available to companies under the programme and showcased successful outcomes achieved thus far.
- Mr. Jørgen Ingeberg, Project Manager at the Circular Packaging Cluster Norway, shared valuable insights regarding new EU regulations on packaging and waste. His discussion centered on the potential for innovation within these regulations.
- Dr. Ole Jakob Sørdalen, Chief Innovation & Sustainability Officer at Pixii, spoke about the critical role of distributed flexibility and energy storage in the electricity system, emphasizing its significance for the green transition.
- Mr. Nikolai Pyke, Founder and Owner of Hayk company, presented innovative ideas related to sustainable B2B fleets, underscoring the importance of responsible logistics.
- The host, Cobuilder, provided insights into the EU Regulatory Shift towards Digital Reporting of Sustainability Data, outlining the implications for businesses.
- Finally, representatives from Herti and International Development Norway discussed successful bilateral projects financed under the Norway Grants, highlighting real-world applications of sustainable practices.
The Norwegian-Bulgarian Forum was a significant step forward in fostering collaboration between Norway and Bulgaria in the realm of green growth. The diverse range of presentations and discussions showcased the commitment of both countries to sustainability and innovation.
As we move forward, the insights gained from this forum will undoubtedly inspire further initiatives and partnerships aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices in business. We extend our gratitude to all the participants and speakers for their contributions, and we look forward to continuing this important dialogue in the future!