The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), in its capacity as the National Contact Point of Bulgaria for Responsible Business Conduct, is organizing a panel discussion on the topic “Responsible Business Conduct – Beyond Compliance”, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises within the framework of the Green Transition Forum 6.0.

The panel stood out as one of the most interesting events in the forum’s program, with participants emphasizing that broad information to business and society about the OECD Guidelines and the role of the National Contact Point is a key condition for the successful implementation of the principles of responsible business conduct and for Bulgaria’s preparation on the path to full OECD membership. The participants were unanimous that responsible business conduct should not be viewed solely as a regulatory requirement, but as a strategic approach for sustainable development, competitiveness and building trust between business, institutions and society.

 

Boyko Takov, PhD., Executive Director of BSMEPA and Head of the NCP, moderated the panel discussion and stated that balance is extremely important when a business wants to develop and move forward.

Sophie Laveau, Policy Analyst and Environmental Expert at the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, Michael Ristaniemi, Legal and Policy Expert at the European Commission (DG GROW), Zornitsa Rusinova, Chairwoman of the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria, Stanislav Popdonchev, Deputy Chairwoman of the Bulgarian Industrial Chamber, Alexander Zagorov, Confederal Secretary of Podkrepa  and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova, Secretary General of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria and Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, presented their analysis to the audience at the Sofia Event Center.

The Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Chamber, Stanislav Popdonchev, emphasized that the implementation of standards for responsible business conduct and preparation for the new requirements in supply chains should be perceived as an opportunity for development and increased competitiveness, and not as an additional administrative burden.

Zornitsa Rusinova pointed out that responsible business conduct is a combination of balance and ambition, with Bulgaria’s place in the overall competitiveness of Europe. The trade union representatives also emphasized the human dimension of the sustainable transition.

By organizing the discussion, BSMEPA strengthened its role as an active driver of public debate on the topics of sustainable development, corporate responsibility and good governance, promoting cooperation between institutions, businesses, trade unions and civil society.