PROJECT No. 2(2i)-3.1-7
“A shelter business environment – the shortest way to cross-border development”
(22.09.2010-21.03.2012)
Romania – Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Priority axis 3:
“Economic and social development”
-Economic development and social cohesion by joint identification and enhancement of the area’s comparative advantages-
Key area of intervention 3.1:
“Support for cross- border business cooperation and promotion of a regional image and identity”

PROJECT PARTNERS
Lead Partner:  Regional Development Agency and Business Centre 2000 Montana
Partner 2:  Romanian Association for Electronic and Software Industry - Oltenia Subsidiary (ARIES Oltenia)
Partner 3: The Local Employers’ Association for Small and Medium Enterprises Calafat (PLIMM Calafat)
Partner 4: Agency for Regional Development and Business Center - Vidin
Partner 5: Vidin Chamber of Commerce and Industry
ABOUT THE PROJECT

• PROJECT CONTEXT

                Montana – Vidin - Dolj cross border region is a relatively low developed region, with few sustainable business partnerships and business environment less developed compared to EU25. Investments are low, despite good geographical position and infrastructure opportunities - TEN-T, Danube river, airports and transport facilities.
The proposed project aims to strengthen cooperation between important competitiveness actors in the cross-border area, creating a dynamic relation between Bulgarian and Romanian cross border businesses, characterized by high competitiveness and technological innovations.

• PROJECT OBJECTIVES

General objective: “Sustainable economic development of Montana – Vidin - Dolj cross border regions, using regional opportunities”
Specific objective: “To improve the economical development of the cross-border regions – Montana, Vidin and Dolj through support for the growth of the sector of small and medium sized enterprises”

• PROJECT ACTIVITIES

                A major purpose of the project is establishing five business information centers in Montana, Berkovitsa, Vidin,
Craiova and Calafat. Another important goal is the development of a Portal for cross-border promotion, containing an interactive map of the area and different tools for supporting regional business sectors. The portal will be structured according to a database that will result from the research activities and the elaborated Study on current stage of local economical sectors. A Handbook for Investors will be also elaborated and printed. The Portal and Handbook as well as the benefits for establishing the information centers will be promoted through a number of events organised within the project – business missions, seminars, international conferences and press conferences, sustained by printed promotional materials and radio announcements.

• TARGET GROUPS
• Over 600 SMEs’ representatives from montana -vidin- dolj cross border region
• People from the cross border regions of montana -vidin- dolj
• EXPECTED RESULTS
• MATERIALS
• PROJECT EVENTS