UBB, jointly with the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, realized the Next Level - International Markets event, aimed at representatives of local business in the town. Representatives of UBB presented the opportunities which the bank, part of the Belgian bank-insurance group KBC, provides to companies in establishing sustainable international trade relations.

The joint forum, which took place in the 22 Septemvri Hall in Blagoevgrad, touched upon important topics for the visitors, including opportunities for developing sustainable international trade relations with companies from some of the strongest economies in Europe. One of the ways for entrepreneurs in the region to establish good business contacts is the Internet-based platform UBB Trade Club, which supports the bank's customers in developing their international business and ensures for them access to 16 000 companies in 22 countries. Such services come in support of the fact that the bank - partner of the local business can, besides providing the full range of banking products needed to carry out their activities, be an intermediary and assistant in carrying out informal contacts with reputable commercial organizations.

"One of the main things that connects UBB and Blagoevgrad Municipality is that we always support good ideas, no matter where they come from - the private business, the non-governmental sector, the citizens. There is no municipality that does not want the business to prosper and people to have high income because it means full municipal treasury and more public projects implemented", said Hristina Shopova, Deputy Mayor of Culture and Humanitarian Affairs at Blagoevgrad Municipality.

On behalf of UBB, the forum was opened by Alexandra Bacheva, Head of International Clients Department at UBB, who shared: "Throughout its history and day-to-day operations, UBB strives to stand beside its customers and follow the pace of their business needs. That is why we are here to declare our readiness and present a variety of opportunities that we can offer to local companies in their expansion into international markets."

Participants in the programme were also Hristina Filipova, Member of the Management Board and Procurator of United Bulgarian Bank, Alexandra Bacheva, Head of International Clients Department at UBB, Lachezar Bozadzhiev, Corporate Segment Manager and the representatives of the partner organizations Anne Defourny, Economic & Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium, Vessela Todorova-Mosettig, Director of the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Rosa Cusmano, Secretary General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

The main goal of the joint event was to provide useful and practical information on a variety of business opportunities. The guests presented the main activities of the organizations, represented by them, the opportunities for establishing business relationships with companies from Belgium, France and Italy and with what specifically they can be of help.

The companies present at the event demonstrated a strong interest in the information they had been provided with and expressed their gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to establish contacts on the spot, in Blagoevgrad, with representatives of the strongest economies in Europe.