The Balkan Forum for Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Tourism is gaining momentum.

Tsvetan Simeonov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, participated in the sixth edition of the Balkan Forum, organized by the Ministry of Interior of Greece. The forum aimed to examine the business-tourism ecosystem in the Balkans and to encourage the development of networks and partnerships to improve it.

During the first thematic session, Simeonov shared that entrepreneurship has already been introduced as a mandatory subject in Bulgarian schools, with the training tailored to the age of the students. He emphasized the role of internships in real companies, which the BCCI provides to students from two vocational high schools in Sofia.

Simeonov also presented the significant achievements of the BCCI in promoting women's entrepreneurship through the Entrepreneurship and Startup Council. The Council works in three main areas - women in business, education and business, and has developed a National Mentoring Program for Women Entrepreneurs.

In the second thematic session, Greek Deputy Minister of Tourism Anna Karamanli stated that the tourism sector in Greece is starting 2025 firmly, with a significant increase in visits and revenues. She emphasized the growing importance of extending the tourism season and deepening regional cooperation.

Karamanli highlighted the Balkans as a key market, especially for the economy of Northern Greece, noting the importance of road trips from countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania. According to her, it is necessary to build a unified regional model for the development of sustainable, inclusive, and year-round tourism in the Balkan Peninsula.

The forum provided an opportunity for many representatives of state and non-governmental organizations from the Balkan countries to discuss key issues related to entrepreneurship and tourism in the region.