The World Bank and the Bulgarian government have signed two agreements aimed at enhancing education and supporting small businesses in Bulgaria. The signing took place at the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria, attended by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani.
The first agreement, titled "Sustainable Development of MSMEs in Bulgaria," was signed by Boyko Takov, executive director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA). This initiative seeks to improve the managerial skills and competitiveness of around 300 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Northern Bulgaria. It will involve assessing the needs of small entrepreneurs to identify existing challenges and growth opportunities.
The second agreement, named "Strengthening the Production and Use of Data for Better Learning Outcomes in Bulgaria," was signed by Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education and Science. This project aims to benefit thousands of students and teachers by enhancing data governance within the education sector. The focus will be on integrating advanced data systems into current educational frameworks, offering technical support, and increasing capacity among educational staff.
Antonella Bassani commented on these initiatives: "These agreements reflect a shared ambition to support Bulgaria’s efforts to unlock opportunities for people and businesses across the country." She emphasized that both agreements aim to build capacity in inclusive, data-driven, and future-focused ways.
The World Bank's Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) are non-lending programs providing technical advice, analytical services, and implementation support primarily in middle- and high-income countries. These programs are tailored to specific country needs, covering various areas such as policy advice, impact evaluation, program implementation support, training, knowledge sharing, and peer learning.