It is expected that the economic growth in 2015 will largely depend on the export orientation of the companies.

Bulgarian banks want to be part of Europe's Single Supervisory Mechanism. This is what an improvised poll during the conference "Banks and Business", organized by The Capital, has shown. The poll was carried out by UniCredit Bulbank's CEO and Chairman of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria, Mr. Levon Hampartzoumian, among representatives of the other banks, who took part in the panel "Mechanisms for encouraging lending".

"Bulgaria must aim for joining the European Banking Union with this first step – the Single Supervisory Mechanism. This is exceptionally important because it will additionally inspire confidence in the people as banks will be supervised by one more authority", commented Levon Hampartzoumian. In his view, Bulgaria must avail itself of the experience and the good banking practices within the European Union. Besides that, even now the Bulgarian banks owned by large financial institutions fall under the European banking supervision. "Banks are still some of the best organized entities in the economy of Bulgaria and this year that is now coming to an end is a better one than the previous year, but in any case we must keep working to improve the business environment", summarized UniCredit Bulbank's CEO. During the conference "Banks and Business" the instruments for supporting business, which have contributed to a significant part of the new loans granted in 2014 in the SME segment, were discussed.

"The business wants loans with preferential terms, which are offered thanks to the risk sharing instruments such as Jeremie", said Sonya Hachikyan, Head of the Commercial Strategy Department of UniCredit Bulbank. In her words, the Jeremie initiative has played a key role for the lending in Bulgaria. Still, UniCredit Bulbank is not focused on supporting small and medium businesses only, but also financing projects of foreign investors in Bulgaria. It is expected that the economic growth in 2015 will largely depend on the export orientation of the companies. "One of the missions of UniCredit Bulbank is to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in Bulgaria through its support to successful campaigns and through financing new projects with a high potential for successful realization", added Sonya Hachikyan.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch