FORTY-TWO out of 44 gold medals and diplomas awarded at this year's spring International Plovdiv Fair went to Bulgarian companies and their products.
The fair ended on May 14. Participants included more than 1300 companies from 40 countries and there was an exhibition of municipalities aimed at attracting investors to municipalities' infrastructure, resources, natural and cultural heritage.
The two medals given to foreign exhibitors were in the Household and Home Appliances category. One was given to the CAD/CAM system for the sewing industry of Lektra, France, and the other went to German firm UWE GmbH for their solarium "Power of Chi".
Bulgarian companies won 24 prizes in the Food Products category. Among award-winners were Devin mineral water, Classic ketchup, Ideal lyutenitsa (a paste of tomatoes and pepper made to a traditional Bulgarian recipe), canned meat and vegetables, Shumen Red Beer, Deroni soy sauce, and others.
Four companies exhibiting in the Textile, Fashion and Jewellery category won awards, three in the Furniture category, and two in the Packages and Packaging Equipment and Technology category.
The Golden Rose award and diplomas were handed to 14 out of 65 companies from the cosmetic sector represented at the fair. The awards were given by the National Association of Ethereal Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics. The organisation's idea is to turn the prize into an annual award.
Two thirds of participants in the spring fair were satisified with the event, according to a survey by the Alpha Research polling agency.
Thirty six per cent expected to sign good deals as a result of their participation in the event and half of the participants expressed optimism about the development of the industry in which they were involved.
Fifty four per cent said their participation in the spring fair would bolster their business. A total of 50 per cent of those polled said that they had taken part to enhance their prestige.