The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) signed a framework agreement for a strategic partnership today, aimed at bridging the manufacturing and investment needs of businesses with the research capacity of the Academy.

The ceremony took place at the BCCI premises. The document was signed by the chairs of the two organizations – Academician Evelina Slavcheva and Tsvetan Simeonov. Also in attendance were the Deputy Chair of the BCCI Vasil Todorov, the Director of the BAS Unified Innovation Center Dr. Marin Pandev, and the Coordinator of the National Academic Network Academician Aleksandar Kostov, according to the official BAS website.

This alliance aims to accelerate the transfer of technology and knowledge, support innovation, facilitate the transition to digital and green transformations, and establish communication mechanisms between the scientific community and the business sector to ensure the practical application of scientific achievements.

A drone featuring a multifunctional cargo compartment, developed with the assistance of scientists from the Institute of Mechanics, has already been registered as a useful model and is ready for practical use. This serves as proof of the successful interaction between the BCCI and BAS. While this model is ready for operation, researchers from the Academy are continuing their work with the business sector on a new project – the creation of a drone powered by a hybrid system combining a battery and a hydrogen fuel cell.

According to the Chair of the BCCI, Tsvetan Simeonov, the key to attracting new investments into small and medium-sized enterprises lies in offering concrete projects that both parties will develop jointly. Academician Evelina Slavcheva emphasized that "the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has the ambition to expand its regional presence and present its developments to the business community." She added that cooperation with the BCCI plays a key role in implementing this plan and in aligning the Academy's scientific achievements with business interests at the local level.