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The seventh year in the history of the CSD was very
successful. Our organization continued to grow in capacity,
significance and international recognition.
The major highlight of 1996 was the SME policy
initiative. Undertaken at the request of the local USAID
representative, it resulted in the definition of an Action Plan
addressing the policy and legal constraints that currently face
small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria, and proposing
a set of measures to encourage the growth of this sector of the
economy.
Some of the most distinguished Bulgarian experts
were involved in this initiative under the auspices of the CSD. The
resulting Policy Forum was a high-profile meeting attended by the
President-elect, Mr. Petar Stoyanov, the deputy chair of the
National Assembly, the ministers of trade and industry, the
governor of the National Bank, along with other senior government
officials and policy-makers. The CSD was successful in mobilizing
bi-partisan political support for the policy agenda outlined in the
paper and in receiving endorsement of its priorities by
policy-makers from across the political spectrum.
Following the parliamentary elections in April 1997,
the environment in Bulgaria is more favorable for economic reform.
The political will needed to put into practice the policy
recommendations contained in the SME Action Plan exists. Successful
implementation of the policy recommendations will be a good
testimony to their quality, and the expertise and hard work
invested in the process.
Law-drafting has been one of the distinct
cornerstones of the CSDнs activities since its inception. 1996 was
particularly fruitful in this respect. The draft Law on Registered
Pledges, developed in cooperation with IRIS-Bulgaria, was passed
into Law by Parliament in November. The Draft Law on Non-Profit
Organizations, also developed by the CSD Law Reform Program, was
approved and endorsed by the Ministry of Justice. As a follow-up,
the Program is presently implementing a project to reform the tax
framework for non-profit organizations.
In 1996, the CSD's efforts to facilitate Bulgaria's
integration into the European institutions included a new
initiative to promote the participation of NGOs in the process. In
particular, the CSD initiated and hosted a series of meetings
between Members of the European Parliament and Bulgarian
non-governmental organizations with a view towards establishing a
forum for dialogue with Bulgarian civil society representatives.
This initiative has been highly praised on both sides and will
continue in 1997.
Vitosha Research, the spin-off venture of the CSDнs
Sociological Program continued to engage in professional marketing
research and consultancy. As in previous years, these activities
have furthered the CSDнs goal of long-term sustainability.
Considerable efforts and funds were invested during
the year into the establishment of a modern telecommunications
facility at the CSD. Internet access is now available to the entire
staff. In December, the CSD established a presence on the World
Wide Web and our page can now be accessed at http://www.csd.bg.
A lot of attention was devoted to the development of
the CSDнs human potential. The qualification of our staff is
continuously being improved through participation in various
training courses and programs in Bulgaria and abroad. The CSD also
works with a highly experienced body of outside experts and
consultants which has contributed to improving our institutional
capacity for addressing complex policy issues and has raised the
impact of our research and advocacy activities.
As in previous years, the CSD continued to provide a
home to the Information and Documentation Centre of the Council of
Europe and the MBA Enterprise Corps activities in Bulgaria.
The turbulent start of 1997 has brought new hopes
for radical structural reforms which have been delayed during the
past four years. With the new reformist majo-rity in Parliament,
there is enough political will, and broad public support, for this
to happen. These developments will open new opportunities and
create an added impetus to the CSDнs work in support of the
democratic reform process in Bulgaria.
Dr. Ognian Shentov
CSD President
Sofia, April 1997
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