FROM November 21 to 28, the National Palace of Culture (NDK) is hosting the eighth Made in Bulgaria exhibition.

Over the past eight years, the exhibition emerged as the most versatile showcase for Bulgarian goods and initiatives aimed at encouraging small and medium enterprises. The event is expected to welcome up to 200 000 visitors, a number that could only be contested by the Stroyko exhibition.

Organisers of the event are Made in Bulgaria Union, the NDK and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Their representatives told journalists that this year's record high attendance was recognition of their consistent efforts to support small and medium business.

Bozhidar Bozhinov, CEO of the BCCI, said that more than 91.8 per cent of participants in the event were small firms with staffs of up to 50, while only 2.5 per cent of the companies had workforces of more than 100.

"The event will rely both on tradition and novelty," said Vassil Drumev, chair of the Made in Bulgaria Union.

He quoted data showing that nearly 14 per cent of the participating companies were new to the exhibition, while 18 per cent had taken part from the first event.

Although no statistics on their annual turnover were provided, Bozhinov quoted traditional participants as saying that the forum had become the starting point for a wide-ranging expansion for their businesses.

Other novelties are the special activities at the event, such as the events aimed at supporting physically challenged people, the exhibits that intend to support the poorly developed economic regions and the Industry and Inventions Salon.

Drumev said that all the activities were aimed at turning Bulgaria's human resource potential into wide-ranging lines of business to cater to the conditions that have been provided by the EU.

Made in Bulgaria will host nearly 520 companies from all over the country, whose stands will be located on all seven floors of the NDK.

Lines of business range from clothing, knitted fabric, leather goods, food, soft beverages, and liquor.

Seminars and panel debates on the current situation and future trends of the industries represented will also be held.

BCCI also has prepared a special panel aimed at providing a detailed explanation into the important aspects of Budget 2003 and its implications with regard to small and medium business.

At the end of the exhibition, top-rated businesses in the different sectors will be awarded the Golden and Silver Lions in recognition for their quality production.