The Beginning
1989-1993 Highlights
- Privatization
- Small Business Development
- Economic Policy and Legislation
- Institutional Reform
- Legislative Reform
I. Economic Policy and Legislation
Privatization
And Small Business Development In Bulgaria: First Steps And Policies
Privatization and Small Business Development in
Bulgaria: First Steps and Policies was the first of a
series of privatization efforts undertaken by the Economic Program of CSD.
Initiated at the very beginning of the privatization process in the country
(October 1991 - September 1992), this project aimed at formulating suggestions
for developing an effective and viable legislative framework for privatization.
Part of the research effort was concentrated on analysing privatization
techniques applied in other Central and Eastern European countries and
presenting practical recommendations to privatization authorities in Bulgaria.
One of the main objectives was encouraging public awareness and consolidating
public support for privatization in Bulgaria.
Analysis of privatization
legislation and regulations
The draft proposals for the Law on privatization and formulation of recommendations
to the Parliamentary Committee for Economic Policy were assessed by organizing
of a public debate entitled The Dilemmas of the Privatization Law after
the hasty passing of the law by parliament. The debate outlined the gaps
and inconsistencies in the newly adopted legislation and generated considerable
political and public support. There was also a discussion of the draft
regulations on tenders, auctions and valuation mechanisms, subsequently
adopted by the Council of Ministers.
Privatization And Institutional Reform In Bulgaria
The second privatization project was designed as a follow-up to the previous
project Privatization and Small Business Development: First Steps and
Policies and was carried out in the period October 1992 - September 1993.
The project research team concentrated its efforts on the completion of
the activities undertaken in the preceding period. This was gradually
supplemented by new directions to the research and advocacy activities
aimed at developing a clearly defined and efficient institutional framework
for privatization in Bulgaria.
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II. Research and Advocacy Activities
In the period
October 1991 - October 1992 two nationally representative surveys and
three quota opinion polls were conducted. The surveys' aim was to outline
public attitude towards privatization, economic decentralization and the
transfer of ownership in Bulgaria (more).
The carried out research activities in Privatization And Small Business
Development In Bulgaria: First Steps And Policies included analyses
of privatization legislation and regulations, of the overall political,
social and economic environment for privatization and small business development,
as well as the applicability of privatization techniques employed in Central
Europe to the current environment in Bulgaria. These analyses enabled
the research team to formulate policy recommendations concerning
the development of privatization in Bulgaria. The main results from the
year-long research were summarised in the final analytical report - the
Policy Recommendation Paper. In the final Policy Recommendation
Paper were also incorporated forecasts which identified the major factors
expected to influence privatization and private sector development and
the basic interrelation among these factors. Information was gathered
using the opinion of 200 key policy-makers and experts.
The Research Activities of the second project were
completion of the second nationally representative public opinion survey
- data processing, analysis and dissemination of results. A quota opinion
poll covered fifteen joint ventures operating in Bulgaria.
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III. Economic Program watchdog function - "Privatization Monitor"
The publishing of the Privatization Monitor -
a weekly digest of media coverage on privatization issues - was initiated.
The Monitor is widely circulated among policy-makers and key government
officials, and together with the multitude of specialised seminars and
discussions establishes CSD as a key contributor to privatization debate.
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IV. Dissemination, Education and Promotion
The dissemination and promotion of the findings,
research team efforts and the privatization problem in general were implemented
by international seminars and a press-conference, announcing the completion
of the Final Policy Recommendation Paper and presenting its main findings
and conclusions.
International
Seminar on "Privatization and Economic Reform in Bulgaria"
The seminar was organised on June 3-5, 1993 and was attended by over a hundred
Bulgarian government officials, Members of Parliament, municipal authorities representatives,
trade unionists, experts and consultants, and a number of foreign experts.
Discussion covered the development of the institutional framework for
privatization, as well as new aspects such as institutional intermediaries in
the privatization process - mutual and investment funds. Special attention was
devoted to privatization of the financial system and encouraging municipal
privatization in Bulgaria.
Monthly
Privatization Seminar
Started in October 1991, the Monthly Privatization Seminar was regularly
attended by researchers, government officials and experts. Discussion focused
on current issues of privatization and efforts were mainly directed at
elaborating policy recommendations for improvement of the legal, institutional
and economic environment for privatization. Prominent foreign experts were
frequently invited to attend the seminars thus enriching debate with additional
perspectives and international experience. |