Our Clients

Viber is a calling and messaging app that connects people–no matter who they are, or where they’re from. Each month, hundreds of millions of people connect, for free, with their loved ones via messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, and more. All one-on-one Viber calls and personal chats, and all group chats are protected by built-in end-to-end encryption, so you can be sure that your conversations are always secure.

The European Commission is the EU’s executive body and represents the interests of Europe as a whole (as opposed to the interests of individual countries).
The term ‘Commission’ refers to both the college of commissioners and the institution itself – which has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium with offices in Luxembourg. The Commission also has offices known as ‘representations’ in all EU member countries.

UNHCR was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband.

Today, over 65 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world. 

With your support, we can continue.

In 1954, UNHCR won the Nobel Peace Prize for its groundbreaking work in Europe. But it was not long before we faced our next major emergency.

In 1956, during the Hungarian Revolution, 200,000 fled to neighbouring Austria. Recognising the Hungarians as ‘prima facie‘ refugees, UNHCR led efforts to resettle them. This uprising and its aftermath shaped the way humanitarian organisations would deal with refugee crises in the future.

During the 1960s, the decolonisation of Africa produced the first of that continent’s numerous refugee crises. We also helped uprooted people in Asia and Latin America over the following two decades. In 1981, we received a second Nobel Peace Prize for what had become worldwide assistance to refugees. 

The start of the 21st century has seen UNHCR help with major refugee crises in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. We have also been asked to use our expertise to help many internally displaced by conflict and expanded our role in helping stateless people. In some parts of the world, such as Africa and Latin America, the 1951 Refugee Convention has been strengthened by additional regional legal instruments.

UNHCR now has more than 9,700 members of staff. We work in a total of 126 countries and our budget, which in its first year was USD $300,000, grew to USD $7 billion in 2015. 

In 2015, we celebrated our 65th anniversary. During our lifetime, we have helped well over 50 million refugees to successfully restart their lives.

Every child counts

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education.

UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

NATO’s essential purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

POLITICAL – NATO promotes democratic values and encourages consultation and cooperation on defence and security issues to build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.

MILITARY – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military capacity needed to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – NATO’s founding treaty – or under a UN mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organizations.

We develop and maintain relations between the United Kingdom and Bulgaria.

We work on a wide range of issues including the economy, energy policy, justice and home affairs and international security.

We have built a joint action plan to bring about growth in both countries and enhance the competitiveness. We work with the Bulgarian authorities to minimise harm to the UK from organised crime and to assist British nationals in Bulgaria.

The EU bank

The EIB is the European Union’s bank. We are the only bank owned by and representing the interests of the European Union Member States. We work closely with other EU institutions to implement EU policy.

We are the world’s largest multilateral borrower and lender. We provide finance and expertise for sustainable investment projects that contribute to EU policy objectives. More than 90% of our activity is in Europe. But we also are a big investor around the world.

How we do it

• Lending: The vast majority of our financing is through loans, but we also offer guarantees, microfinance, equity investment, etc.
• Blending: Our support unlocks financing from other sources, particularly from the EU budget. This is blended with loans to form a full financing package.
• Advising: Lack of finance is often only one barrier to investment. We help with administrative and project management capacity to facilitate investment.

Das Goethe-Institut ist das weltweit tätige Kulturinstitut der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Wir fördern die Kenntnis der deutschen Sprache im Ausland und pflegen die internationale kulturelle Zusammenarbeit. Wir vermitteln ein umfassendes Deutschlandbild durch Information über das kulturelle, gesellschaftliche und politische Leben.

Mit unserem Netzwerk von Goethe-Instituten, Goethe-Zentren, Kulturgesellschaften, Lesesälen sowie Prüfungs- und Sprachlernzentren nehmen wir zentrale Aufgaben der auswärtigen Kultur- und Bildungspolitik wahr. Wir sind dabei auch Partner öffentlicher und privater Kulturträger, sowie der Bundesländer, der Kommunen und der Wirtschaft.

Wir schöpfen aus dem Facettenreichtum unserer offenen Gesellschaft und der lebendigen deutschen Kultur. Wir verbinden Erfahrungen und Vorstellungen unserer Partner im In- und Ausland mit unserer Fachkompetenz und arbeiten im partnerschaftlichen Dialog. Wir sind dabei Dienstleister und Partner für alle, die sich aktiv mit Deutschland und der deutschen Sprache und Kultur beschäftigen und arbeiten eigenverantwortlich und politisch ungebunden.

Wir stellen uns den kulturpolitischen Herausforderungen der Globalisierung und entwickeln innovative Konzepte für eine durch Verständigung humanere Welt, in der kulturelle Vielfalt als Reichtum erkannt wird.

Das Goethe-Institut Bulgarien, 1989 gegründet und seit 2003 in einem Gebäude des Kulturministeriums mitten im Zentrum der Stadt untergebracht, hat sich folgende Ziele gesetzt:

• die Förderung von Mehrsprachigkeit als Grundlage für die Herstellung einer europäischen Öffentlichkeit
• den Austausch ästhetischer Positionen und innovativer Entwicklungen in Kunst und Wissenschaft
• die Stärkung demokratischer, zivilgesellschaftlicher Strukturen
• die Unterstützung bei Aufbau und Entwicklung von Informationsstrukturen
• die Stärkung des europäischen Bürgerbewusstseins und des innereuropäischen Dialogs

Schwerpunkte des Kulturprogramms sind Begegnungen zwischen bulgarischen und deutschen Künstlern und Intellektuellen, die Präsentation deutscher Gegenwartskultur und die Förderung deutsch-bulgarischer und europäischer Zusammenarbeit auf kulturellem und geistigem Gebiet.

Im Rahmen der Förderung der deutschen Sprache in Bulgarien bieten wir Seminare und vielfältige Dienstleistungen für bulgarische Deutschlehrer an. In Zusammenarbeit mit bulgarischen Partnern unterstützen wir nationale und europäische Projekte der Fremdsprachen-Förderung.

Das Goethe-Institut Bulgarien bietet ein differenziertes Sprachkursprogramm an. Alle Lehrer haben eine professionelle Ausbildung nach neuestem Standard. Die unterschiedlichen Prüfungen des Goethe-Instituts sind weltweit anerkannt.

Die Bibliothek des Goethe-Instituts Bulgarien vermittelt Informationen zu aktuellen Aspekten des kulturellen, gesellschaftlichen und politischen Lebens in Deutschland. Sie bietet umfangreiche Buch- und Medienbestände sowie gezielte Informationsdienstleistungen für alle, die sich für Deutschland interessieren, oder Deutsch lernen oder lehren wollen. In gemeinsamen Veranstaltungen mit bulgarischen Bibliotheks- und Informationseinrichtungen fördert sie die Vertiefung eines fachlichen Austauschs und Dialogs.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is the foundation for liberal politics in the Federal Republic of Germany. It aims to promote the goal of making the principle of freedom valid for the dignity of all people and in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad. With the safeguarding and the development of its statutory projects (civic education and dialogue, sponsorship of the talented, research and political consultation, archive-work), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation wants to contribute to shaping the future.

El Instituto Cervantes es la institución pública creada por España en 1991 para la promoción y la enseñanza de la lengua española y para la difusión de la cultura española e hispanoamericana. Se encuentra en Madrid y en Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España, lugar de nacimiento del escritor Miguel de Cervantes. Los centros del Instituto están situados en cuatro continentes.

El Instituto Cervantes está presente en cuatro continentes con más de 70 centros, entre los cuales destaca el Instituto Cervantes de Londres.
Nuestra institución también se encarga de:

• Organizar los exámenes para el Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE), así como de expedir certificados y diplomas oficiales para los participantes en nuestros cursos.
• Organizar cursos de español.
• Organizar cursos de formación para profesores de español.
• Apoyar a hispanistas en sus actividades.
• Estimular actividades culturales en colaboración con otras organizaciones.

El trabajo del Instituto Cervantes está dirigido por representantes del mundo académico, cultural y literario del ámbito español e hispanoamericano. En Londres colabora con museos, galerías, teatros, editoriales y otras instituciones culturales británicas, así como españolas y latinoamericanas.

The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.

Since that time, 210,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.

Today’s Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and contributing to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (FWB: LHA, OTCQX: DLAKY) , commonly known as Lufthansa (sometimes also as Lufthansa German Airlines), is the flag carrier of Germany, and also the largest airline in Europe, both in terms of overall passengers carried and fleet size when combined with its subsidiaries.  It operates services to 18 domestic destinations and 197 international destinations in 78 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, using a fleet of more than 280 aircraft.

Besides the actual airline named Lufthansa, Deutsche Lufthansa AG is also the parent company for several other airlines and further aviation-related branches, among the most well-known are Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa Technik. With over 620 aircraft, it has one of the largest passenger airline fleets in the world when combined with its subsidiaries.  In 2012, the entire Lufthansa Group carried over 103 million passengers.

Lufthansa’s registered office and corporate headquarters are in Cologne. The main operations base, called Lufthansa Aviation Center (LAC), is located at Lufthansa’s primary traffic hub at Frankfurt Airport. The majority of Lufthansa’s pilots, ground staff, and flight attendants are based there. Lufthansa’s secondary hub is Munich Airport with a third, considerably smaller one maintained at Düsseldorf Airport which transfers to Germanwings so Lufthansa only operate just around 10 destinations excluded seasonal which all has been transferred to Germanwings

Lufthansa is also a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, formed in 1997.

Having been a state-owned enterprise until 1994, the majority of Lufthansa’s shares are nowadays held by private investors (88.52%), as well as MGL Gesellschaft für Luftverkehrswerte (10.05%), Deutsche Postbank (1.03%), and Deutsche Bank (0.4%). Since 1970, Lufthansa has involved its employees in profit sharing, giving them the opportunity to choose between cash and preference shares. When Lufthansa was privatised, employees received more than 3% of its shares.

The name of the company is derived from Luft (the German word for “air”), and Hansa (a Latin term meaning “guild” most commonly used historically in reference to the Hanseatic League).

Shaping the history of aircraft services

The dawn of the jet age

Lufthansa Technik’s roots go back to the founding of the new Lufthansa in the early fifties. After the four allies dissolved the old Lufthansa in 1951, a successor company was founded just two years later. At that time, at the western end of the Hamburg airport, the foundation was laid for the new airline’s technical base. When Deutsche Lufthansa AG began its scheduled flight service on 31 March 1955, the first double hangar, able to accommodate three four-engine propeller-driven Super Constellations, was already standing at the Hamburg base. In 1957 construction of two additional hangars began. The workshop area was expanded. An engine shop with an electroplating facility and an office building were added.

On 2 March 1960 the landing of Lufthansa’s first Boeing 707 in Hamburg ushered in the jet age. The Frankfurt airport was to become the future homebase of the new long-haul jets. Lufthansa began building a maintenance base at Rhine-Main airport. Frankfurt subsequently became the most important hub in Lufthansa’s route network and the center for daily maintenance. In 1962 Lufthansa opened a test stand for jet engines at its maintenance base in Hamburg. It also built the world’s first noise-protection hangar there. In the sixties, in addition to its own aircraft, it began servicing those of other customers. The U.S. FAA authorized Lufthansa’s engineering division to service the aircraft and engines of American airlines. Even then Lufthansa’s engineers were developing their own repair procedures that attracted airlines from all over the world to Hamburg.

The flying giants

Even during its first twenty years the Lufthansa facility spawned a flourishing technology company highly respected by its customers. Despite the economic setbacks caused by the oil crises of the seventies, the volume of incoming orders kept growing at double-digit rates. The biggest boost came from the ATLAS Group, an alliance of Lufthansa with Air France, Iberia, Alitalia and Sabena. Meanwhile the high-flying jumbo jets were becoming more numerous. In March 1970 the first Boeing 747-100 landed in Hamburg. These new aircraft were quieter, emitted less pollutants and were more economical to operate. Then microelectronics and new-style computers began appearing onboard, requiring new maintenance procedures.

In the eighties the expansion of Lufthansa’s engineering division proceeded apace. A new painting hangar was built to meet modern aircraft painting needs in a manner protective of the environment. A new brand awareness began to develop. In the light of the economic slowdown and growing international competition in the air transport sector, the Group’s bureaucratic structures seemed too cumbersome. Departments were reorganized into self-contained divisions that would market their own services independently. With the fall of the Berlin wall on 9 November 1989 Germany was soon reunited. Lufthansa returned to Berlin. On 28 October 1990, after an absence of exactly 45 years, an aircraft in Lufthansa livery landed at Tegel. Another MRO facility was set up at the Berlin-Schönefeld airport, employing much of the technical staff of the former East-German airline Interflug. 

Eye on the future

In the mid-nineties, to keep the Lufthansa Group competitive, it was broken up into seven separate operating divisions. At the end of 1994, shortly before the 40th birthday of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, its former engineering division was converted into an independent stock corporation under the name Lufthansa Technik. The latter’s business with customers outside the Lufthansa Group became its engine of growth. More and more airlines from all over the world began using the services of Lufthansa Technik’s experienced mechanics and engineers. The company opened up a new market with its Total Technical Support (TTS®).

In addition to its competence in commercial aircraft overhaul, Lufthansa Technik is certified as an design organization and also as a manufacturer of aircraft parts. This triple capability endows it with an ever-growing potential for developing new products and services. Since its founding, Lufthansa Technik has become the world’s leading provider of commercial aircraft services. In accordance with the principle “We have to be wherever our customers are”, the company has been expanding internationally. Its presence in the world’s regional air transport markets is the cornerstone of its further development. 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is one of the world’s iconic tech companies, creating new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments, and society.

We provide solutions which enable companies to mobilize their business; mine all their data for insights, on an open, agile cloud; all this securely. We aim at making the complex, simple. Bridging the old and the new. And we do that by harnessing big data, security, mobility and cloud. We are the only company with the breadth and depth of innovative products and services to provide complete end-to-end solutions in big data, cloud, mobility and security, not just a disparate set of IT components.

We focus on delivering speed, simplicity, efficiency and agility so that customers can realize their preferred business outcomes across architectures and in ways that suit their engineering requirements and budgets. Our key areas include:

• Infrastructure – Building on the product innovations of the past year, like our Helion Cloud portfolio, Apollo water-cooled super computers, and OneView, the best converged infrastructure tool on the market.
• Services – Continuing to lead in Virtual Private Cloud and growing our Strategic Enterprise Services, including cloud, enterprise security, analytics and data management, and app modernization.
• Software – Continuing to develop the critical tools that reveal hidden insights and drive business outcomes at incredible speed and scale. 

Apart from leading the market in enterprise infrastructure, software and services, we offer great and impactful initiatives for our employees and for society, from wellness, through diversity and inclusion, to amazing university hiring experiences, and much more. If you wonder what is like to be part of one of the world’s largest technology companies, visit our Hewlett Packard Enterprise stand, and hear directly from our employees!

We are present in Bulgaria since 1992 and have long been advising companies on how to establish their business in Bulgaria.

PwC Bulgaria focuses on:

• Audit and Assurance
• Tax
• Advisory – Deals and Consulting

Legal services in Bulgaria are rendered by the connected law firm Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners.

We have expert knowledge and practical experience in the full range of business and legal issues . With a local team of around 200 full-time staff – transaction services specialists, auditors, consultants, lawyers, tax experts and HR consultants, our  reputation lies in building lasting relationships with our clients and delivering value in all we do.

We work with various types of businesses – multinationals, public sector organisations, privately-owned companies, entrepreneurs, family businesses, etc. We aim to meet their diverse needs by helping our clients to find effective solutions by combining industry insight with technical expertise.

We organise our service offering around industries to share the latest research and points of view on emerging industry trends, develop industry-specific performance benchmarks based upon global best practices, and share methodologies and approaches. Our industry knowledge and experience are broadly grouped into:

• Energy, Utilities & Mining
• Consumer & Industrial Products & Services
• Financial Services
• Technology, Infocom, Entertainment & Media

In addition, our network is available to collaborate on technical issues unique to a particular industry, especially when interpretive guidance is needed.

PwC Bulgaria implements a corporate social responsibility programme embracing the following main areas:

• Community
• Environment
• People
• Marketplace

The people of PwC are committed to playing a leading role in achieving a sustainable future:

• We take responsibility for our actions and promote responsible business practices
• Support the growth and development of our people and communities
• Seek to minimise our impact on the environment.

AIG is a trading name of AIG Europe Limited.

AIG Europe Limited is a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).

AIG is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions.  AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Cargill, Incorporated is an American privately held[2][3] global corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and incorporated in Wilmington, Delaware.[4] Founded in 1865, it is the largest privately held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue.[5] If it were a public company, it would rank, as of 2015, number 15 on the Fortune 500, behind McKesson and ahead of AT&T.[6]

Some of Cargill’s major businesses are trading, purchasing and distributing grain and other agricultural commodities, such as palm oil; trading in energy, steel and transport; the raising of livestock and production of feed; and producing food ingredients such as starch and glucose syrup, vegetable oils and fats for application in processed foods and industrial use. Cargill also has a large financial services arm, which manages financial risks in the commodity markets for the company. In 2003, it split off a portion of its financial operations into Black River Asset Management, a hedge fund with about $10 billion of assets and liabilities. It owned 2/3 of the shares of The Mosaic Company (sold off in 2011), one of the world’s leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients.

Cargill declared revenues of $136.7 billion and earnings of $2.31 billion in the 2013 fiscal year.[7] Employing over 140,000 employees in 66 countries,[8] it is responsible for 25% of all United States grain exports. The company also supplies about 22% of the US domestic meat market, importing more product from Argentina than any other company, and is the largest poultry producer in Thailand. All the eggs used in US McDonald’s restaurants pass through Cargill’s plants. It is the only US producer of Alberger process salt, which is used in the fast-food and prepared food industries.

Cargill remains a family-owned business, as the descendants of the founder (from the Cargill and MacMillan families) own over 90% of it.[9] As a result, most of its growth has been due to reinvestment of the company’s own earnings rather than public financing. Gregory R. Page succeeded former CEO Warren Staley in mid-2007, as Staley reached Cargill’s mandatory retirement age of 65, and was CEO and chairman until 2013, when he in turn was succeeded by Dave MacLennan.

The name Sensata comes from the Latin word sensata, meaning “those gifted with sense”. To complement our business and name, our logo is inspired by Braille, the writing system based on touch.

Our highly engineered devices satisfy the world’s growing need for safety, energy efficiency, and a clean environment. These are devices that improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day and are used in automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, military, heavy vehicle, heating, air conditioning, data, telecommunications, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Until 2006, we were called Texas Instruments Sensors & Controls. Today we are the world’s leading supplier of sensors and controls across a broad range of markets and applications.

Enjoy the central location of the Hilton Sofia hotel in the heart of the Bulgarian capital, opposite Sofia Congress Center and just over a mile from Sofia attractions including Alexander Newsky Cathedral and nine miles from UNESCO World Heritage Site Boyana Church. Take advantage of the shuttle service to and from Sofia International Airport, just 25 minutes away.

Feel at home in a contemporary guest room, decorated in cool, calm tones with sound-proof windows. Stay connected with high-speed internet access. Get to work at the desk with an ergonomic chair or simply wrap yourself in a fluffy bathrobe and relax on the easy chair.

Enjoy delicious local fare with a Bulgarian Merlot while enjoying views of the stunning Vitosha Mountain in the award winning Seasons Restaurant. Indulge in a specialty brandy or cocktail and listen to relaxing music in the Artists Bar and Café, or dine from the comfort of your guest room with 24-hour room service.

Work out in the 24-hour fitness center by Precor®, complete with cardio equipment and weights. Enjoy the steam room, sauna and relaxing pool. Pamper yourself with a variety of treatments at the Health Club or Hair & Beauty studio. Shop for luxury items in My Shop located in the lobby of the hotel or in the Souvenir Corner for a Bulgarian-crafted gift.

Grand Hotel Sofia is a five-star hotel built entirely with Bulgarian investment and run by Bulgarian management. This circumstance sets it clearly apart from the international hotel chains as it allows not only flexible management, but also a combination between the modern advantages of an upmarket hotel and the benefit of uniquely Bulgarian hospitality, offering a sense of home-like comfort and safety.

Grand Hotel Sofia opened in May 2004, placing its focus on business visitors from the very beginning. Located in the heart of the Bulgarian capital,the hotel is an integral part of the administrative, business and cultural centre of the capital city.

Grand Hotel Sofia is built and owned by NIKMI Jsc  – a company with long experience in the construction industry, mainly in residential, office and multifunctional buildings, and the related infrastructure.

The company also ownes the 4 star Central Park Hotel Sofia (opened in 2006) and the 4 star Lilia Hotel in Golden sands resort. 

Travel is About Bringing People Together

It’s about bringing conversation back to the travel experience. Creating connections that seal deals. Forming new bonds or rekindling old friendships. Sheraton creates opportunities to connect – to home, to colleagues, and to friends, both old and new.

The Little Things Matter

Like being welcomed by team members who greet the morning with exactly what you wanted but didn’t need to ask: the morning paper, coffee and a warm hello. Or simply being able to open the door to the most comfortable room you’ve seen in weeks and collapsing into a much-needed catnap.

And the Big Things, Too

Recognizing that travel brings people together, we’re on a mission to bring conversation back to the travel experience.

The Link@Sheraton^SM Experienced with Microsoft^®

In the heart of every lobby is the Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft®, where guests come together to meet, connect and relax. Complimentary amenities include fully-wired workstations, free WiFi, newspapers, printing services, TV and a pleasant setting to come together. Grab a snack, catch up with colleagues or get down to business in the communal style atmosphere with comfortable seating and semi-private spaces. There’s a comfy chair waiting for you.

Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core^® Performance

Travel and fitness go hand in hand. The Sheraton fitness program was created in partnership with world-renowned personal training experts Core Performance to keep guests at their peak at all times. You can take part in state-of-the-art fitness centers, specialized in-room and restaurant dining options, a custom website with online fitness programs and more. Staying fit has never been easier.

Sheraton Resorts

Our collection of over 60 resorts is scattered around the world in exciting and inspiring destinations. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful, relaxing vacation or a fun-filled family getaway, our breathtaking resorts provide the perfect setting to make new memories.

Sheraton Club Level

Sheraton Club offers guests the chance to upgrade to a higher level of comfort and convenience. When they step up to the Club, they discover their own place to be more productive, catch up with friends, enjoy complimentary breakfast or help themselves to a snack throughout the day. 

As you search for accommodation at our hotels you will notice that we offer different room types, Club rooms are often listed as one of the available room types. Be sure to look for “Club Floor” in the Room Features description to book a Club level room.

Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed

The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper^TM Bed is found in each of our guest rooms and is comprised of luxurious sheets, a deluxe duvet, a selection of feather down and hypoallergenic pillows, and a custom mattress.  

You can enjoy the comfort of Sheraton’s Sweet Sleeper Bed in your own home. Order the complete Sweet Sleeper Bed  for a restful night’s sleep, every night.

Travel Is About Connection

What families and individuals dream of – being away from home without being apart, beds that make dreams better, being surrounded by people who share a sense of adventure – is what we strive for with every detail.

Sheraton. Life is better when shared.

Enjoy Starwood Preferred Guest Rewards!

Bringing together the world’s best names in hotels and resorts, Starwood’s family of hotels includes Sheraton, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton, Westin, The Luxury Collection, aloft, Element, St. Regis and W Hotels – more than 1000 participating hotels in over 93 countries.

Starwood Preferred Guest^® features no blackout dates on Free Night Awards, the fastest way to a free night and the easiest way to a free flight. Learn more about Starwood Preferred Guest and how you can start earning Starpoints^® on your next visit to Sheraton.

Sheraton is Part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Bringing together the world’s best names in hotels and resorts, Starwood brands include Sheraton, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton, Westin, The Luxury Collection, aloft, Element, St. Regis and W Hotels.

Created in 1919, in Barcelona, Spain, by Isaac Carasso, the Danone brand was named after his son Daniel: in Catalan, Danon is a nickname, meaning « Little Daniel ». Ten years later, Daniel Carasso launched the Danone brand in France by creating the Société Parisienne du Yoghourt Danone. He wasn’t yet 25.

Daniel Carasso was born in 1905 in Salonica, where his family, of Spanish descent, had lived in exile for more than four centuries. In 1916, Isaac Carasso, Daniel’s father, decided to return to Spain and settle there for good; three years later, he created Danone. Appalled by the number of children suffering from intestinal disorders at the end of the First World War and encouraged by the research of Elie Metchnikoff, Isaac Carasso started manufacturing yogurts, using ferments from the Pasteur Institute and selling his products on prescription in Barcelona pharmacies.

In 1923, Isaac Carasso sent his son Daniel to study in the E.S.C. business school in Marseille. His diploma in hand, he followed his father’s advice and went on to study bacteriology to gain a better understanding of ferments. He eventually ended up in the Pasteur Institute in Paris. In those crucial years, the foundations for the future of Danone were laid.

Daniel Carasso launched Danone in Paris in 1929. At that time, Parisians weren’t any more familiar with yogurt than the people of Barcelona had been ten years earlier. However, Danone quickly got ahead of the competition thanks to the quality of its products, their packaging and presentation as well as to the use of advertising which, as in Spain, highlighted yogurts’ beneficial effects on health. Business was good…

In 1941, Daniel Carasso was forced to leave France by the German invasion. He entrusted Danone France to Norbert Lafont and Danone Spain to Luis Portabella – they were to remain faithful friends for the rest of their lives. Having moved to the United States, he founded Dannon US one year later. In 1945, he returned to Europe where he put all his energy in rebuilding his French and Spanish businesses. In doing so, he gradually lost interest in the US market; Dannon was eventually sold to the American company Beatrice Foods In 1959, who in turn sold it back to BSN Gervais Danone in 1981.

In Europe, business was booming. Between 1950 and 1966, Danone’s growth was spectacular. In 1967, the fusion with Gervais gave the new Gervais-Danone company the leadership of France’s fresh dairy products market.

But the event which was going to make Danone into a world brand was the meeting, in 1972, of Daniel Carasso and Antoine Riboud. One year later, they merged their two companies.

“The objective was as simple as it was ambitious: to build a food company which could rival with the greatest multinationals by bringing together Danone’s products and brand and the industrial know-how and financial strength of BSN. The creation of BSN GERVAIS DANONE was the consecration of my life’s work. Antoine became President of the new company while Jacques Corbière (who up to that point had been President of Gervais) and I became Vice-Presidents. Thirty years after the fusion, I can safely say that all my wishes have been fulfilled. Not only has Danone managed to become an international brand but its formidable growth has been achieved without sacrificing the human and professional values which, since its very creation, have been at the heart of our group’s identity.” From a conversation with Daniel Carasso, recorded in 2003.

Daniel Carasso passed away on May 17th 2009, aged 103.

Philip Morris International, Inc. (PMI) is the leading international tobacco company, with seven of the world’s top 15 international brands, including Marlboro, the world’s best-selling cigarette brand.

Our goals are to provide high quality and innovative products to adult smokers, generate superior returns for shareholders, and reduce the harm caused by smoking while operating our business sustainably and with integrity.

Until March 28, 2008, PMI was a wholly owned subsidiary of Altria Group, Inc. “Altria”, since that time the company has been independent and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol “PM”). 

Our Brands

Our international and local brands are sold in more than 180 markets. We have the industry’s strongest and most diverse brand portfolio, led by Marlboro, the world’s number one selling brand, and L&M, the third most popular brand. Overall, seven of the top 15 brands in the world are ours.

PMI’s other leading international brands include Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, Chesterfield and Philip Morris. Our leading local cigarette brands include Sampoerna in Indonesia, Fortune in the Philippines, Optima in Russia and Delicados in Mexico.

Our Performance

In 2012, PMI held an estimated 16.3% share of the total international cigarette market outside of the United States, or 28.8% excluding the People’s Republic of China and the United States. 2012 was the fifth consecutive year that saw us meet or exceed our mid- to long-term (annual currency-neutral adjusted) diluted earnings per share (EPS) growth target of 10-12%. This consistent level of double-digit EPS growth puts us at the forefront of all major global consumer products companies.

Our People

Our employees are one of our greatest strengths and the key to our success as a company. Our diverse global workforce of more than 87,000 employees speaks more than 80 languages and hails from all corners of the globe. We aim to attract, motivate and retain the best global talent. We support our employees through individual development and career management programs that recognize potential and reward achievement. Learn more about starting a career at PMI.

Our Investment in Harm Reduction

Smoking causes many serious diseases including cardio-vascular diseases, lung cancer and emphysema. Smokers are far more likely to become sick with one of these diseases than non-smokers. In addition, smoking is addictive, and it can be very difficult to stop smoking.

We aim to reduce the harm caused by smoking by supporting effective evidence-based regulation of tobacco products and through our investment in developing products with the potential to reduce the risk of tobacco-related disease. Our focus is on developing products that look, feel and taste as much as possible like conventional cigarettes and which, based on robust scientific evidence, are shown to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Our Commitment to Integrity and Sustainability

We are committed to operating with integrity and are focused on responsibly delivering long-term, sustainable growth. We apply high standards everywhere we operate and have set clear and measurable targets that help us reduce the environmental impact we have on the world around us. 

We also support the communities where our employees live and work, as well as where we source our tobacco. Today, our contributions programs make a difference to thousands of people around the world.

As a leading independent leaf tobacco merchant, Alliance One International provides worldwide service to the large cigarette manufacturers. Multinational manufacturers of consumer tobacco products rely on independent merchants such as Alliance One to supply the majority of their leaf. We purchase tobacco in more than 45 countries and serve manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products in over 90 countries.

Alliance One proudly claims broad geographic processing capabilities, a diversified product offering, and an established customer base, which includes all of the major consumer tobacco product manufacturers. We select, purchase, process, pack, store, ship, and, in certain developing markets, provide agronomy expertise and financing for growing leaf tobacco.

Our revenues are primarily comprised of sales of processed tobacco and fees charged for related services to manufacturers of consumer tobacco products around the world. We do not manufacture cigarettes or other consumer tobacco products.

Alliance One’s global headquarters is located in Raleigh , North Carolina.

Our Product

Alliance One deals primarily in flue-cured , burley , and oriental tobaccos that are used in international brand cigarettes, including American blend cigarettes. American blend cigarettes contain approximately 50% flue-cured, 37% burley, and 13% oriental tobacco; contain less tar and nicotine; and taste milder than locally-produced cigarettes containing dark and semi-oriental tobacco historically consumed in certain parts of the world.

Our Purchasing Network

Tobacco is purchased either at auction or directly from the grower. In the United States, flue-cured and burley tobacco crops were traditionally sold at public auction, but these markets have undergone a fundamental change in recent years. There has been a significant shift from auction markets to purchasing directly from growers (” direct contract buying “). A number of our significant U.S. customers now purchase green tobacco directly from the growers. Although the tobacco purchased directly from growers by our customers has continued to be processed in our U.S. facilities, we no longer take ownership of that tobacco and no longer record sales revenues associated with its resale.

Under the direct contract buying system, purchasers generally buy a farmer’s entire tobacco crop. The majority of our purchases of U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco are made through the direct contract buying system, where we buy the farmer’s entire crop. With respect to tobacco purchased by us through this system (and to which we still take title), we assume the risk of matching the quantities and grades needed by our customers to the entire crop we must purchase under contract. As a result, we work closely with our customers in advance of the crop to estimate our customer requirements and use these estimates as the basis to contract tobaccos directly from farmers. However, this arrangement has increased the possibility that we may accumulate inventories of grades of tobacco that our customers do not need.

With respect to tobacco purchased directly by our customers (and to which we do not take title), the customer assumes the risk of loss of such tobacco while it is located at our facilities or en route to and from our facilities. When we purchase under an auction system, we continue to purchase tobaccos primarily to match specific customer orders.

Other principal auction markets include Canada , Malawi , and Zimbabwe . We usually purchase tobacco at those auction markets after receiving specific customer orders or indications of customers’ upcoming needs. Our network of tobacco buyers allows us to cover the major auctions of flue-cured and burley tobacco throughout the world. These buyers are experts in differentiating hundreds of grades of tobacco based on customer specifications and preferences that take into account, among other factors, the texture, visual appearance, and aroma of the tobacco.

In non-auction markets such as Argentina , Brazil , Bulgaria , China , Greece , Guatemala , Indonesia , Italy , Kyrgyzstan , Mexico , Tanzania , Thailand , and Turkey , we purchase tobacco directly from growers or from local entities that have arranged for purchase from growers. We often make these direct purchases based upon our projection of the needs of our long-standing customers rather than against specific purchase orders. Our arrangements with growers vary from locale to locale, depending on our predictions of future supply and demand, local historical practice, and availability of capital. For example, in Brazil, we generally contract to purchase a grower’s entire tobacco crop at the market price per grade at the time of harvest based on the quality of the tobacco delivered. Pursuant to these purchase contracts , we provide growers with fertilizer and other materials necessary to grow tobacco and may either directly loan or guarantee Brazilian rural credit loans to growers to finance the crop. Under longer-term arrangements with growers, we may also finance or guarantee financing on growers’ construction of curing barns . In addition, our agronomists maintain frequent contact with growers prior to and during the growing and curing seasons to provide technical assistance to improve the quality and yield of the crop.

In other non-auction markets, such as Argentina and China , we buy tobacco from local entities that have purchased tobacco from growers and supervise the processing of that tobacco by those local entities. We believe that our long-standing relationships with our customers are vital to our purchasing operations outside of the auction markets.

Our Processing Approach

We process tobacco to meet each customer’s specifications for quality, yield, chemistry, particle size, moisture content , and other characteristics. Unprocessed tobacco is a semi-perishable commodity that generally must be processed within a relatively short period of time to prevent fermentation or deterioration in quality. Accordingly, we have located our 24 worldwide processing facilities in proximity to our principal sources of tobacco.

Upon arrival at our processing plants, flue-cured and burley tobaccos are first re-graded to better define their characteristics. Most of that tobacco is then blended to meet customer specifications regarding color , body , and chemistry; threshed to remove the stem from the leaf ; and then further processed to produce strips of tobacco and separate out the smaller pieces, or scrap . We also sell a small amount of processed but un-threshed flue-cured and burley tobacco in loose-leaf and bundle form. Processed flue-cured and burley tobacco is re-dried to remove excess moisture so that it can be held in storage for long periods of time. After re-drying , whole leaves, bundles, strips, or stems are separately packed in cases, bales , cartons, or hogsheads for storage and shipment. Generally, packed flue-cured and burley tobacco is transported in the country of origin by truck or rail, and exports are moved by ship. Prior to and during processing, steps are taken to ensure consistent quality of the tobacco, including the re-grading and removal of undesirable leaves, dirt, and other foreign matter.

Customer representatives are frequently present at our facilities to monitor the processing of their particular orders. Increased consumption of discount and value-priced cigarettes, and competition among leaf merchants have led to improvements in processing designed to minimize waste and thereby increase yield. Throughout the processing, our technicians use laboratory test equipment for quality control to ensure that the product meets all customer specifications.

Seasonality of Our Business

The purchasing and processing activities of our tobacco business are seasonal. Flue-cured tobacco grown in the U.S. is generally purchased during the five-month period beginning in July and ending in November. U.S.-grown burley tobacco is usually purchased from late November through January or February. Tobacco grown in Brazil is normally purchased from January through July. Other markets around the world have similar purchasing periods, although at different times of the year. Mature tobacco, prior to being processed and packed, is a semi-perishable commodity. The production cycle for re-drying and packing is relatively short. For example, flue-cured tobacco in the U.S. is generally processed, packed, and invoiced within the same five-month period (July through November) that it is purchased. During this period, inventories of unprocessed tobacco, inventories of re-dried tobacco , and trade accounts receivable normally reach peak levels in succession. Current liabilities, particularly advances from customers and short-term notes payable to banks, normally reach their peak in this period as a means of financing the seasonal expansion of current assets. Increasing amounts of U.S.-grown burley and foreign tobacco are now being processed in periods other than July through November, reducing the seasonal fluctuations in working capital.

Our Customers

Our customers are the multinational manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products. We typically purchase most of our leaf tobacco according to customer orders, supply contracts, or customer indications of anticipated need. The tobacco is then shipped to our customers’ factories, which are located in approximately 90 countries around the world. Most of our sales throughout the world are denominated in U.S. dollars. While we can receive payment for the tobacco after we have processed and shipped it, most of the larger customers advance payments to us throughout the buying season as we purchase tobacco for their accounts.

Our Competition

Aside from Alliance One, there is currently one other major global competitor in the leaf tobacco industry: Universal Corporation. Competition among tobacco merchants is based primarily on the price charged for products and services, as well as the merchant’s ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing , and financing of tobacco. Additionally, competition exists to purchase the available leaf tobacco in the origin countries.

Imperial Tobacco is a leading international tobacco company with a balanced market footprint and a unique portfolio of brands and products across all tobacco categories

Strategy

We focus on delivering high quality sustainable sales growth, whilst effectively managing our costs and cash flows.

Our success is built around our differentiated approach; applying our in-depth consumer understandings to realise the potential of our total tobacco portfolio.

Total tobacco

Our comprehensive and versatile portfolio of brands and products gives us strong representation in all tobacco products and across all price segments.

We have international strength in cigarette, we are the world leaders in fine cut tobacco, papers and cigars, and we have a growing snus business.

Our unique total tobacco approach gives us a competitive advantage in meeting changing consumer choices both in EU and non-EU markets.

Market footprint

Our brands and products are available in over 160 countries. Our broad geographic footprint provides many future growth opportunities across EU and non-EU markets.

We have a leading position across the EU in many tobacco product categories. We also operate in a diverse array of non-EU markets, where there are many opportunities for us to develop our business.

Logistics

Our logistics business comprises operations in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Poland, with more than 40 million deliveries per year to around 300,000 points of sale.

Our tobacco logistics business is run on an operationally neutral basis and delivers products for tobacco manufacturers, including Imperial Tobacco, to sales outlets.

We also provide specialised logistics services for customers in a number of non-tobacco sectors.

Assos Capital is an independent real estate private equity firm specializing in South-East Europe. Assos Capital focuses primarily on investments with a retail component, including downtown and out-of-town shopping centers, retail parks and high street shops.

Assos Capital is an active, hands-on investor and, with its strong financial engineering capabilities, international affiliations and network, provides significant value beyond the provision of equity capital. Furthermore we are one of the few companies that can offer our clients real estate services covering both direct ownership of real estate assets and partial ownership in a diversified pool of real estate investments in the form of a fund.

Assos Capital is comprised of a highly experienced team of investment and management professionals, who collectively have over 150 years of relevant investment and real estate experience and who have sourced, negotiated, structured, executed and arranged financing for real estate development transactions and real estate investment products in excess of €1bn throughout Central and South-East Europe. Since its formation in May 2006, Assos Capital has primarily focused on sourcing and executing investment opportunities in commercial real estate for its maiden fund Assos Property Investors.

Assos Capital’s strategy is to identify and engage the most capable local partners for each investment by maintaining strong working relationships with leading international developers and management companies and with leading retailers, commercial banks and multinational firms. We provide investors with above average returns whilst minimizing the associated risks. We achieve this goal by implementing a rigorous due diligence process and relying on our local presence and network as well as by adding value through efficient deal structuring and sophisticated financial engineering.

Assos Capital possess a unique set of skills that allows it to differentiate itself and maintain a competitive advantage in real estate investing in South-East Europe and Ukraine.

In 1881 three Swiss entrepreneurs built a brewery in Plovdiv on a hill called Kamenitza and used the name as their brand. The drink of choice for most Bulgarians at the time was lager, but Kamenitza broke new ground by producing the first dark beer for the market. By the 1890s they won awards at international exhibitions, including Brussels and Chicago.

The communist regime nationalised Kamenitza: first, in 1947, as part of the state-owned Alcoholic Beverages, then in 1952 as part of Vinprom.

The Belgian multinational company InBev bought the Bulgarian breweries Kamenitza, Astika and Burgasko Pivo in 1995 and added Plevensko Pivo in 1997. During 1997 to 2005, InBev invested 86.3 million leva in Bulgaria, and in 2005 Kamenitza sold 800,000 hectoliters, making it the best-selling domestic beer.

In mid October 2009, private equity fund CVC Capital Partners bought all of Anheuser–Busch InBev’s holdings in Central Europe for €2.23 billion. They renamed the operations StarBev.

Since the early 2010s, Kamenitza bottles have pull-off caps.

METRO Cash & Carry is an international self-service wholesale retailer. It operates across Europe and in some countries of Asia and Northern Africa. It is the largest sales division of the German trade and retail giant METRO AG.

METRO Cash & Carry is different from B2C retail chains (such as Walmart, Carrefour or Tesco) in that its business concept is targeted towards professional customers rather than end consumers. The cash-and-carry concept is based around self-service and bulk buying. METRO Cash & Carry serves to registered customers only. Core customer groups are hotels, restaurants, caterers, traders and other business professionals.

WorleyParsons will be the preferred global provider of technical, project and operational support services to our customers, using the distinctive WorleyParsons’ culture to create value for them and prosperity for our people.

Leadership

• Committed, empowered and rewarded people
• EcoNomics™ – Delivering profitable sustainability
• Integrity in all aspects of business
• Energy and excitement
• Minimum bureaucracy

Relationships

• Rapport with all stakeholders
• Open and respectful
• Collaborative approach to business

Agility

• Smallest assignment to world scale developments
• Local capability with global leverage
• Responsive to customer preferences
• Optimum solutions customized to needs

Performance

• Zero harm
• Results for our customers and employees
• Creating wealth for our shareholders
• World-class resources, capability and experience

Short history for many years

MOTO-PFOHE is one of the first private car companies in Bulgaria. It was established on July 26, 1991, as a sole limited liability company, owned by Hugo Pfohe GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.

Since its establishment Moto-Pfohe is one of the leading companies in the country and is currently the official dealer of Ford, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. There are 17 offices in 16 cities of the country – both own sales and service centers and dealers. In Sofia there are two, “Lyulin” and “Mladost”. Within the Moto-Pfohe group there are also the insurance broker “Pfohe Agency” EOOD and “Moto-Pfohe Leasing” EOOD. The business portfolio includes sales and service of new and used cars, short and long term rentals, full service, insurance, spare parts, accessories, financing of car deals. MOTO-PFOHE has been ISO certified since 2000.

In 2017, November 21, the ownership of Moto-Pfohe has been changed. The company is now part of the family of SUMITOMO CORPORATION.

A Reliable Partner for Every Automotive Challenge

Why Moto-Pfohe?

• a wide range of prestigious and functional cars, practically for every need – from small urban, luxury limousine and off-roaders to light commercial vehicles;
• authorized services for warranty and post warranty maintenance;
• own leases with flexible commercial schemes – finance leases, operating leases, full service;
• insurance and insurance management;
• practical mobile solutions related to short and long-term rentals;
• used cars of all brands with proven origin, comprehensive service files and warranty options;
• trade in and buy back;
• original spare parts, consumables, tires, accessories, certified by the manufacturers.

Corporate Responsibility

Moto-Pfohe enjoys a solid image as a good citizen of society thanks to several own traditional programs and support for many socially significant projects:

• partner of the National Museum of History, Polytechnical Museum, National Opera and Ballet, Union of Artists in Bulgaria and other cultural institutes;
• contribution to the development of sport – long-time official sponsor of BFU, PFL, Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Wrestling Federation and many others.
• a traditional partner of Bulgarian Red Cross;
• Commitment to orphan graduates since 1997, transformed into the #steniskanabala national program since 2014, for the benefit of their further education at universities;
• the Conservation and Environmental Grants Program for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage in Bulgaria – since 1996. For the 20 years there were 1149 participants, 84 of which received funding amounting to a total of 328 000 BGN.

SOF Connect has developed a unique vision to grow Sofia Airport by applying world-class standards based on Meridiam and Munich Airport’s successful experiences. The ambition of SOF Connect is for Sofia Airport to grow driven by Meridiam’s sustainability and resilience standards and become a success story similar to LaGuardia or Munich airports: a place where best practices can be replicated and brought forward, which will benefit the Bulgarian citizens, Sofia Airport employees and partners.

It is also to make Sofia Airport an enabler of social, economic, environmental and inclusive growth that contributes to Sofia and Bulgaria. An airport that, through public and private partnership, combining local and international expertise, will reinforce Bulgaria´s aviation tradition thanks to long-term commitment and new initiatives.

ETEM is a leading aluminum extrusion company

ETEM, a leader in aluminium extrusion – among the most promising ones in Southeastern Europe – was founded in 1971. The company is the first integrated designer and producer of architectural systems and aluminium profiles for industrial applications in Greece.
With the production facility in Bulgaria, and an annual capacity that exceeds 35,000 tons/year, ETEM guarantees continuous, prompt, effective and uninterrupted delivery to all our customers.

Through continuous innovation and investments in infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment and our people, ETEM is an international company with worldwide exports and presence.
With over 40 years of experience and continuous presence in both the design and production of profiles for architectural systems and different industrial applications, the company is committed to serving its customers with value added products and services, thus establishing and maintaining longstanding relationships that are solely based on trust, through integrity, professionalism and reliable consistency.

ETEM holds a strong position in Southeastern Europe and tirelessly pursues opportunities for penetration and establishment in more countries and emerging markets.
With competent structures and highly skilled people in place, the company meets the strategic goals to understand and cover the needs of each market, thus efficiently assisting our customers to achieve their business goals.

The people offer numerous services to the customers, from training and technical assistance to individual constructors and installers of window and door frames, to complete project support throughout the various stages of a project.

From the birth of an idea, ETEM helps the individual, investor or developer to select the best product or solution to meet their requirements, in the most effective, supportive and cost-efficient of ways.

ETEM actively assists the architect or engineer to define the specifications of the project and can also offer technical support or training to the constructor and installer of company’s complete product portfolio.

ETEM’s main goal is to design and engineer products that help us improve our everyday living, whether in a residential, commercial or work environment.
The company remains loyal to its customers and keeps its promises for continuous innovation, tailor-made solutions, integrated assistance throughout a project, and strategic business thinking, ensuring the customers’ commercial success.

We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. We also help people to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft. In 2015, we were named by Forbes magazine as one of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies.”

We employ approximately 17,000 people in 37 countries and our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil. Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2015, was US$4.8 billion.

Inspired Engineering

At Melexis, we believe in engineering with a purpose. Passion for technology has made us one of the five world leaders in automotive semiconductor sensors, as well as a leading player in integrated circuits for motor driving, car networking and wireless communication.

In just the last five years we’ve seen a compound annual sales growth of more than 12%. In 2015, we surpassed the 400 million Euros sales threshold, nearly doubling sales compared to 2010. The numbers are striking, and we intend to spend the next few years building on this success.

Automotive industry and beyond

Majority of our revenue comes from the automotive industry, and today we are leading technological advancement in the sector. We’ve been supplying ICs for over twenty years, and the research and development team works to generate dozens of new, smart ICs and sensor components each year. Looking forward, we are striving to make cars, trucks and off-road equipment safer, more reliable and more energy efficient.

Our work takes us moreover from automotive into other areas – we are also active in the smart appliances, home automation, industrial and medical sectors. For Melexis, it’s not just about the technology, but the positive difference that technology can make in a person’s life, whether it’s in using a body temperature sensor or an in-vehicle networking solution.

World firsts

We have a strong history in being the first to bring new products and categories to market, thanks to the emphasis on listening to the rapidly evolving needs of the industries we work in. We are for example a pioneer in 3D magnetic Hall sensors and offer improved manufacturability of sensor assemblies and modules.

Customer driven innovation

Technological innovation doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens by talking to customers, understanding their needs and concerns, and translating that into products. It is this customer-centred approach that has been fundamental to success – products have all been informed by stakeholders’ wants and needs.

Future trends …

Globally, many of today’s conversations center around safety and sustainability – both areas that we have worked in for many years. From magnetic sensor and sensor interfaces, to wireless and actuators, we are constantly innovating to create more sustainable and more reliable vehicles.

Looking forward in the automotive industry there is excitement around the potential for autonomous cars, and this trend is helping to shape the future of Melexis.

… and future growth

Since the birth of the company in Belgium in 1988, we have grown to over 1,100 employees in 14 countries, all passionate about creating the future. This shared vision throughout the company has enabled us to grow. Our people are co-creators and they help shape the company culture every day. It is this culture that has allowed us to perfect the link between great people, great teams and great results.

Italcementi Group entered the Bulgarian market in 1998 with the acquisition of Devnya Cement – a plant with production facilities and an annual capacity of approximately 2 million tons, located near Varna – the largest port in the country. In 1999, Italcementi Group acquired Vulkan Cement – a plant with production capacity of about 500 thousand tons, located near Dimitrovgrad. Presently, Italcementi Group is the largest cement producer in Bulgaria and has an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons. In addition, the Group provides over 500 direct working positions, as well as 1500 indirect positions, including subcontractors, working on the company’s property.

Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a worldwide leader in generics. With a history of more than 120 years, Sandoz is a trusted leader with a reputation for exceptional quality. Our strategic and customer-focused approach to developing, producing and marketing high-quality affordable medicines following the loss of patent protection, has successfully made us one of the two largest and most respected generics companies worldwide. Our medicines are already available to 90 percent of people across the world and we are committed to further increasing global access to affordable healthcare.

Our comprehensive global development and production network and worldwide commercial presence are complemented by a wide range of standard and differentiated products covering all stages of the development and production processes, from basic molecules to finished medicines. This combination of specialist expertise and extensive global presence, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to quality, gives us a competitive advantage that clearly sets us apart from the competition.

By offering a broad portfolio of high-quality affordable medicines, Sandoz also contributes to the stability of healthcare systems worldwide, providing significant savings that can be used for the funding of costlier novel therapies, thus encouraging continued pharmaceutical innovation. In this way, Sandoz represents a key pillar of the overall Novartis strategy of offering an all-inclusive range of medicines to patients, physicians and healthcare providers along the entire healthcare spectrum. Novartis is currently the only company with a leading global position in both patent-protected and generic pharmaceuticals, allowing Sandoz to benefit from the cross-divisional flow of specialist technical, clinical and regulatory expertise.

Belvedere Bulgaria Ltd. is founded in 1992 as a part of the holding structure Belvedere Group France. It owns some of the biggest wine producers in Bulgaria – the wineries Domein Menada in Stara Zagora and Sakar in Lubimets. Between the foot of Surnena Sredna Gora in the north and the slopes of Rhodope Mountains and Sakar in the south, more than 18 000 decares of vineyards are put aside as the source of high quality wine. Fertility of the land feeds off the tributaries of Maritsa, Tundzha and Arda River. The exposure is mostly to the south and south-west, and the altitude is between 170 and 260 metres.

     A unique asset is the local air draught that does not allow for the hold-up of cold in winter months, and as a result freezing is extremely rare. The soil and climate conditions there are ideal for grape ripening. The region is characterized with a sub-continental climate, temperatures favour the build-up of sufficient quantities of sugar and acids, lending the requisite harmony to the wine.

     Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, cultivated in the region, are distinguished with a consistent ruby colour and a juicy fruit aroma. Wines are thick, soft and harmonious. They have a marked southern nature. Wine aging takes place in casks made of Strandzha, Californian and French oak.

     The wines exported by Belvedere Bulgaria are well accepted in Poland, Germany, Great Britain, Finland, Russia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and other countries. In the beginning of the year, the newest wine collection “Chateau Menada” was presented in Poland. The red wines Oriahovitza are the best sold Bulgarian wines in Finland. The company started to develop markets in Sweden and Danmark.

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. is a fully integrated, broad-based entertainment company and a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment and their related businesses. A Time Warner Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature films to television, home entertainment/DVD, animation, product and brand licensing and interactive entertainment. The company’s vast library, one of the most prestigious and valuable in the world, consists of more than 61,000 hours of programming, including nearly 6,500 feature films and 3,000 television programs comprised of tens of thousands of individual episodes. Warner Bros. Entertainment’s employee population ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 on any given day in North America (depending on the level of television and movie production) and some 2,000 employees overseas.

In 2012, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group grossed $4.3 billion at the worldwide box office ($1.66 billion domestic, $2.67 international) with both its domestic and international divisions crossing the billion-dollar mark for a 12th consecutive year, a feat unmatched by any other studio. The Pictures Group has exceeded $4 billion globally for four consecutive years, also a milestone no other studio has ever achieved. Despite challenging market conditions, Warner Home Video was, once again, the industry’s leader, with an overall 21 percent marketshare in total DVD and Blu-ray sales. WHV was also the number one home entertainment studio internationally in 2012. The companies comprising the Warner Bros. Television Group produced more than 50 series for broadcast, first-run syndication and cable in the 2012-13 season. WBTVG and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment continue to be category leaders, working across all platforms and outlets, and trendsetters in the digital realm with video-on-demand (transactional and ad-supported), branded channels, original content, apps, anti-piracy technology and broadband and wireless destinations.

The Warner Bros. Pictures Group brings together the Studio’s motion picture production, marketing and distribution operations into a single entity. The Group, which includes Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures International, was formed to streamline the Studio’s film production process and bring those businesses’ organizational structures in line with Warner Bros.’ television and home entertainment operations.

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights. It also monetizes its distribution and marketing operations by distributing films that are totally financed and produced by third-parties. Among the films on Warner Bros. Pictures’ 2013 slate are The Great Gatsby, The Hangover Part III, Man of Steel, Pacific Rim, We’re the Millers (NLC), Prisoners and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (NLC).

Warner Bros. Pictures International is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films, operating offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films in over 120 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures.

New Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Entertainment since 2008, coordinates its development, production, marketing, distribution and business affairs activities with Warner Bros. Pictures to maximize film performance and operating efficiencies. Highlights of New Line’s 2013 release slate, distributed by Warner Bros., include Jack the Giant Slayer, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, The Conjuring, We’re the Millers and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

The Warner Bros. Television Group oversees and grows the entire portfolio of Warner Bros.’ television businesses, including worldwide production, traditional and digital distribution, and broadcasting. In the traditional television arena, WBTVG produces primetime and cable (Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Television), first-run syndication (Telepictures Productions) and animated (Warner Bros. Animation) programming, which is distributed worldwide by two category-leading distribution arms/operations (Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution).

Among the primetime series produced by divisions of the Warner Bros. Television Group are 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, The Mentalist, Mike & Molly, Person of Interest, Revolution, The Following, The Vampire Diaries, Nikita, The Middle, Suburgatory, Rizzoli & Isles, Supernatural, Arrow, The Bachelor, The Voice, Dallas, Pretty Little Liars, and many more. Also produced by the company are first-run syndicated programs such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, TMZ and Extra, among others, as well as animated shows The Looney Tunes Show, Beware the Batman and Teen Titans Go!.

WBTVG is an innovative leader in developing new business models for the evolving television landscape, including ad-supported video-on-demand, broadband and wireless, and has digital distribution agreements in place with all of the broadcast networks. Internationally, the Studio is one of the world’s largest distributors of feature films, television programs and animation to the worldwide television marketplace, licensing over 61,000 hours of television programming, including more than 6,500 feature films and over 50 current series, dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.

WBTVG provides original shortform programming for the broadband and wireless marketplace through its Studio 2.0 digital venture, and its digital media sales unit is devoted specifically to multiplatform domestic advertiser sales for both broadband and wireless. WBTVG continues its strategic expansion into digital production and distribution with the launch of several advertiser-supported entertainment destinations, including TheWB.com, a premium, video-on-demand interactive and personalized network and KidsWB.com, a premium destination built around youth-oriented immersive entertainment.

The final component of WBTVG is broadcasting: The CW Television Network, launched (in partnership with CBS) in September 2006 with quality, diverse programming, is targeted to the 18–34 audience.

Warner Bros. Animation is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, with an innovative and talent-rich roster boasting some of the most accomplished writers, producers and artists working today. WBA is home to the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries. The studio is on the cutting edge of animation technology, and has both CG and traditionally animated projects in current production and development. In addition to TV programming, WBA produces theatrically released CG cartoon shorts featuring iconic Looney Tunes characters, rendered in stereoscopic 3D. WBA also creates the highly successful series of DC Universe original animated movies for DVD.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video (Warner Home Video), digital distribution (Warner Bros. Digital Distribution), video games (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), technical operations (Warner Bros. Technical Operations) and anti-piracy (Warner Bros. Anti-Piracy Operations) businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHE is responsible for the global distribution of content through Blu-ray Disc and DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels. It is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party video game titles.

Based on the constantly changing ways by which consumers access entertainment product, WBHE focuses on maximizing current and next-generation distribution scenarios to make the Studio’s content available to audiences through as many channels, platforms and devices as possible. WBHE is also charged with harnessing the benefits of emerging technologies, as well as managing the risks these technologies pose to the economic value of the content. By grouping like business units and streamlining the process of delivering the Studio’s content to consumers in the format of their choice as conveniently as possible, WBHE helps the Studio to maintain an industry-leading and defining role in the rapidly evolving home entertainment marketplace while moving consumers’ home entertainment experiences into a new era.

With more than 3,700 active licensees worldwide, Warner Bros. Consumer Products licenses the rights to names, likenesses and logos for all of the intellectual properties in Warner Bros. Entertainment’s vast film and television library. With a global network of offices and agents in key regions throughout the world, including North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe, WBCP maintains an ongoing commitment to expand and build the power of its core brands’ recognition in the international marketplace through strong and creative merchandising, promotional marketing and retail programs.

DC Entertainment’s DC Comics has been in continuous publication for more than 60 years, and is the leading comic book publisher in the industry and the creator of some of the world’s most recognized icons. DC’s characters continue to headline blockbuster feature films, live-action and animated television series, direct-to-video releases, collectors’ books, online entertainment, digital publishing, countless licensing and marketing arrangements and, most recently, graphic novels. DC continues to attract new readers and fans all over the world with its signature characters Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Justice League leading the way.

Warner Bros. Entertainment is headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios lot, 142 acres in Burbank, California, which is considered one of the foremost motion picture and television production and post-production facilities in the world and home to 35 soundstages (including one of the world’s tallest stages, which has an in-ground tank capable of holding more than two million gallons of water). In addition, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities is responsible for managing the company’s studio in the U.K. – Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden – a 160-acre production facility that has been the production site of many highly acclaimed Warner Bros. movies including the eight Harry Potter films, The Dark Knight, Sherlock Holmes and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Our vision and strategy

Nokia’s mission is simple: Connecting People. Our goal is to build great mobile products that enable billions of people worldwide to enjoy more of what life has to offer. Our challenge is to achieve this in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment.

Ideas. Energy. Excitement. Opportunities. In today’s mobile world, it feels like anything is possible – and that’s what inspires us to get out of bed every day.

Moving with rapidly changing times

From Rio de Janeiro to Nairobi, Berlin to Mumbai, mobile technology is changing our world. How can we make the most of the opportunities in our everyday lives? How can we keep a sense of identity as societies, economies and governments change all around us? We found people everywhere connected by a shared excitement for its potential. Watch our film to find out more.

Gorenje Group is one of the leading European home appliance manufacturers with a history spanning more than 60 years. Technologically perfected, superiorly designed and energy-efficient home appliances branded Gorenje, Gorenje+, Atag, Asko, Pelgrim, Mora, Etna, Körting and Upo elevate the quality of living for the users of our products in ninety countries around the globe.

Gorenje Group’s core activity is the business field Home which includes products and services for the home: major appliances, small appliances, HVAC equipment, kitchen furniture and services related to home, including design. Business field Ecology is a supplementary activity of the Gorenje Group; it involves services related to ecology. Its key focus is comprehensive waste management. Business field Portfolio Investments includes other activities of the Gorenje Group, ranging from toolmaking, engineering, hospitality services, and trade.

International sales network, present in every continent of the globe, has been expanding for nearly half a century. With 95 percent of total output exported, Gorenje is Slovenia’s most internationalized company. In 2012, revenue growth of Gorenje was the steepest in the markets of Russia, Scandinavia, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, United States of America, and Australia.

In 2012, 10,895 employees generated EUR 1.26 billion of revenue.

THE HISTORY OF ZLATNA PANEGA CEMENT

The first cement in Bulgaria was manufactured in the village of Zlatna Panega in1907. An Italian company built a small cement factory next to the river, which operated until 1923. The cement was of good quality and was used in the construction of the Sofia Market Hall, the port of Varna, St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and many others. Between 1923 and 1947 the company produced hydraulic lime.

Following the nationalization the company expanded its activities and started manufacturing cement brands 150 and 200. In 1966 the factory was closed and 5 new cement lines were commissioned on the present territory of Zlatna Panega Cement. After the 1998 privatization the plant was acquired by Heidelberg Cement and in 2004 it was sold to Titan.

Titan modernized the plant with current investments exceeding EUR 86 million for enhancing the operating efficiency and reducing the harmful impact on the environment. Improvements include the replacement of an old kiln, upgrading one of the functioning kilns, installing new hybrid filters on both kilns, commissioning a new vertical mill, new packaging and palletizing machines, a new clinker silo, replacement of the old water piping system, construction of a water treatment plant, replacement of all old filters.

HISTORY OF THE TITAN GROUP

In 1902 the Canellopoulos family opened the first cement plan tin South eastern Europe in Elefsina, Greece and in 1911 the company became officially known as TITAN Cement S.A. In 1912 it was listed on the stock exchange. Since 1962 Titan Cement S.A., which is the parent company of the Titan Cement Group, has been expanding its cement production activities beyond the Greek borders by acquiring existing or opening new cement and concrete manufacturing plants and cement distribution terminals and quarries throughout the world – Greece, Egypt, USA, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Turkey. Today the Titan Cement Group is the major cement manufacturer in Greece.

Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian based, international gold mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining and processing of precious metals.

DPM’s principal subsidiaries include:

• Chelopech Mining (Chelopech), which owns and operates a gold, copper and silver mine located east of Sofia, Bulgaria;
• Deno Gold Mining Company (Kapan), which owns and operates a gold, copper, zinc and silver mine located in Kapan in southern Armenia;
• Balkan Mineral and Mining (Krumovgrad), focused on the development of a gold property located in Krumovgrad in southeastern Bulgaria; and
• Namibia Custom Smelters (Tsumeb), which owns and operates the company’s concentrate processing facility located in Tsumeb, Namibia.

DPM also has a 53.1% and a 45.5% ownership interest in Avala Resources Ltd. (Avala) and Dunav Resources Ltd. (Dunav), respectively. Both companies are focused on early-stage exploration and pre-development projects in Serbia.
Background

For over 20 years DPM was a closed end fund with 75% of its investments in the gold mining industry.  In September of 2003, after an extensive due diligence, DPM acquired two gold assets in Bulgaria, Chelopech, a producing gold mine and Krumovgrad, currently a feasibility stage gold project.  With the approval of its shareholders, DPM finalized its conversion into a gold mining company in April of 2004, with the Bulgarian assets as the initial platform for its operating activities.

Corporate Objective and Strategy

The Company is committed to creating shareholder value in a safe and socially responsible manner through a disciplined but opportunistic business model and to maintaining a strong financials at all times.  Maximizing the value of our existing operating assets through exploration, development and optimizing their operational output is a key component of our strategy.  To that end, DPM has assembled and continues to grow a pipeline of mining and processing projects at various stages of development that will ultimately serve to fuel further growth.

In 1958, Makita Corporation, which was founded in 1915 as an electric motor sales and repair company, became the first company in Japan to manufacture and sell electric planers. For the 45 years since, Makita has worked to build a steady position as a manufacturer of portable power tools and, today, continues its quest forward to provide products and services that are beneficial to all types of customers engaged in housing construction. Makita’s history also parallels that of the evolution of power tools and, over the course of its history, Makita has worked to dovetail its products to its customers’ developing needs.

Allianz Bank Bulgaria is a universal commercial bank having its headquarters in Sofia. It was established in 1997. On October 13, 2003 the bank received the name of its principal shareholder – Allianz Bulgaria Holding. Before that the bank was named ‘Bulgaria Invest’ Commercial Bank.

Allianz Bank Bulgaria offers its products in more than hundred branches and offices all over the country, as well as through the broad agents’ network of Allianz Bulgaria Holding.

The bank possesses a full banking license for carrying out banking and financial transactions.

Allianz Bank Bulgaria is:

• licensed primary dealer of Government Securities;
• licensed investment intermediary for corporate and state securities;
• member of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange – Sofia AD;
• member of the Central Depositary AD;
• member of the Commercial Banks Association;

DSK Bank was established in 1951 as a state savings institution – the only deposit and credit institution in the country at that time. With the adoption of the Law on DSK Reformation dated April 15, 1998, DSK was transformed into a commercial bank.
In January 1999 DSK became a state-owned stock company named DSK Bank. In October of 2003 after a successful privatization OTP Bank of Hungary became the sole owner of DSK Bank. As a result of the swift adaptation to the high standards of OTP Group and the large-scale investment program of the Hungarian owner, the Bank managed to implement a very successful transformation program, making the transit from a state-owned institution into an exceptionally operating and efficient private bank. Along with its subsidiaries it managed to build a strong financial group of dynamically developing companies, modern and flexible, focusing on the needs of all its clients and offering wide variety of services, including pension insurance, asset management, security, cash collection and transportation, recreation-related services, etc.

Not only did DSK Bank establish itself as a preferred partner in banking. It is the most recognizable bank in Bulgaria according to the latest survey held by Ipsos, one of the leading global market researchers, and investor.bg.  It is the first bank, which comes to mind for 34% of survey respondents. In tems of top of mind awareness DSK Bank is again an undisputed leader with 77%. In the bank brands category DSK Bank is named the most preferred brand with 32% of survey responses.

Servicing some three million customers, DSK Bank practically reaches every Bulgarian family. Disposing of the largest branch network in Bulgaria, the bank has an incomparable service-provision infrastructure, it is well acquainted with the local potential  and offers high level of servicing through individual approach and full range of bank products and services, which are tailor made to the needs of all customer segments, SME included.

Against the backdrop of a dynamically changing European landscape, corporate banking and the business for SME and micro enterprises gained a strategic segment status. In this sense, one of the Bank’s achievements in the last five years was the establishment of a specialized EU funds unit – DSK Bul-Project. The new unit proved itself to be a leading partner in the process of utilization of European structure and cohesion funds, offering municipalities and companies tailor-made products and services.
DSK Bank is the first bank in Bulgaria to have set up a project finance unit. Together with OTP Bank it realized the first project-funded real estate deal in Bulgaria – the construction of the commercial and entertainment complex Mall of Sofia.

One of the areas to which the Bank has streamlined its efforts in recent years is enhancing the accessibility of bank services through modernization, expansion and diversification of distribution channels. In 2006 the Bank launched its own card authentication center. The e-banking platform DSK Direct, which is constantly enriching its functionalities, has established itself as one of the most reliable and user-friendly tools, providing DSK customers with the freedom to manage their funds 24/7 from anywhere in the world. In 2009 DSK Bank developed a DSK Direct version for mobile phones   – with DSK Direct Mobi the Bank’s clients can have access to their funds through their mobile phones. As a customer-focused bank trying to provide its clients with easier and more convenient access to bank services in their dynamic life, on July 1, 2011 DSK Bank launched its first  smart phone-based application  for users of Android, and in August a similar application was launched for the users of iPhone. These applications help users be up to date with the news and events, with DSK Bank’s promotional campaigns, as well as with the BNB’s exchange rates, and find the closed DSK Bank office or ATM with the help of Google Maps. With the help of an inbuilt currency calculator the users can easily calculate the amount they need to exchange at the Bank’s office.

DSK Bank is one of the pioneers in Bulgaria in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as well. It was one of the first companies and the first bank in the country to issue an annual CSR report as the first visible step towards a structured SCR policy. It is not by accident that in 2009 the Bank received two awards in the competition organized by Pari newspaper for the socially responsible company of the year – in the category Charity, which is the core and starting point for the setting up of CSR practices, and for innovative approach to CSR. The latter award was given to DSK Bank for turning its efforts on improving the financial culture of its employees and clients into a DSK Bank’s trait.

Deservedly, in 2011 DSK Bank was awarded Causes 2011 prize for its support to SOS Kinderdorf Bulgaria. In 2011 the Bank became a gold corporate SOS family sponsor, undertaking a commitment to provide full annual financial support to two SOS families. In 2012 the Bank reiterated its commitment, turning into tradition its empathy with children lacking in parental care.

Another CSR achievement are the Bank’s sustainable environmental initiatives, sealed with contracts with companies  specialized in paper, office equipment and tyre recycling, as well as the construction and reconstruction of the Bank’s premises according to the new corporate vision and in compliance with the Energy Efficiency Law and the Environmental Law. For its impressive green concept, underlying the design of the new administrative building of the Bank’s Head Office and the reconstruction of other Bank’s buildings in the country, in  2011 DSK Bank was pronounced The Greenest Company of 2010 in the first national competition, organized by b2b Media.

Traditionally the Bank is one of the financial institutions with the most sustainable performance and its Y2011 results prove it. Its net income from interest is BGN 520,7 mil., which marks a growth of 5,2% compared to Y2010. The Bank reported a positive financial result of BGN 85.3 mil.
In 2011 DSK Bank remained an undisputed leader in a number of categories as well: loans to individuals with a market share of 30%, consumer loans – 32%, mortgage loans – 28%, and individual deposits –16%. In terms of cost-to-income ratio it is leader with 34,8% among the top ten  banks in the country.

The top position of DSK Bank in a number of segments on the Bulgarian banking market, the Bank’s aspirations to optimally merge tradition and constant renewal, setting up and maintaining of high banking standards, found their deserved recognition in 2010 both in the country and abroad. The prestigious British magazine Finance Central Europe (FCE) pronounced DSK Bank The Best Bank of the Decade 2000 – 2010 in Bulgaria, as well as the The Best Bank in Bulgaria 2010, and for the fifth time in a row the Bank’s CEO Violina Marinova became The Banker  of the Year in Bulgaria 2010. DSK also won the prize Bank of the Year in Bulgaria in the highly renowned competition Bank of the Year Awards 2010, traditionally organized by the British magazine The Banker.

Societe Generale Expressbank Group is one of the top ten leading financial institutions in Bulgaria.

It is composed by the bank Societe Generale Expressbank and its subsidiary companies – Sogelease Bulgaria, Societe Generale Factoring and its associate life insurance company Sogelife Bulgaria.

Together with its 1500 employees, Societe Generale Expressbank aims to offer customers comprehensive, flexible, high quality, innovative products and services on advantageous price conditions. The bank has received various prestigious awards amongst which “Best Bank in Bulgaria” for 2012 by the international financial magazine Euromoney.

Societe Generale Expressbank received also confirmation from Fitch Ratings- ‘BBB+’ with positive outlook, which is the highest rating, given from Fitch to a financial institution in Bulgaria.

Sogelife Bulgaria is part of Société  Générale Insurance  which is the Insurance Business Line of Société Générale Group worldwide. Sogelife is a life insurance company, established in Sofia by Société Générale Insurance and Société Générale Expressbank in May 2007.
Sogelife Bulgaria has more than 240 000 clients currently in its portfolio. Our aim is to provide those clients with quality products from a wide range of flexible insurance solutions and personalized offers, with different levels of protection and benefits.
We are specialized in offering both individual and corporate life insurance products in the following core categories:

• Credit life insurance
• Personal Protection
• Savings insurance schemes
• Protection schemes for companies and employees

Our corporate life insurance products are designed both for small and medium- sized companies as well as for larger companies, which aim to increase the loyalty of their employees by offering them additional social benefits.
As part of our product portfolio, we can offer special insurance packages to top management, tailored to the needs of their employees. Pursuing our objective of adding value to your business, we can contribute to the tax and social policy optimization of your company by taking advantage of the rich worldwide experience of Société Générale Insurance.

First Investment Bank is a joint-stock company, registered with Sofia City Court pursuant to a ruling dated 8 October 1993. Since 28 February 2008 the Bank has been registered in the Commercial Register at the Registry Agency.

First Investment Bank is a public company registered in the Commercial Register of Sofia City Court with a decision dated 4 June 2007 and in the register of public companies and other issuers held by the Financial Supervision Commission with a decision dated 13 June 2007.

The Bank owns a universal banking licence for domestic and international operations.

First Investment Bank is a licensed primary dealer in government securities and is a registered investment intermediary.

ING was founded in 1991 by a merger between Nationale-Nederlanden and NMB Postbank Group. During the past years ING has become a multinational with diverse international activities.

The roots of ING can be traced to the insurers De Nationale Levensverzekering Bank and De Nederlanden van 1845 and to the public bank services such as De Rijkspostspaarbank and De Postcheque- and Girodienst, as well as to the Nederlandsche Middenstands Bank. These are the legal predecessors of the ‘founding fathers’ of ING: Nationale-Nederlanden and NMB Postbank Group.

The founding of ING as one company was started in 1990 when the legal restrictions on mergers between insurers and banks were lifted in the Netherlands. This prompted insurance company Nationale-Nederlanden and banking company NMB Postbank Groep to enter into negotiations. The merger into Internationale Nederlanden Groep took place in 1991. The market soon abbreviated the name to I-N-G. The company followed suit by changing the statutory name to ING Groep N.V. Since 1991, ING has developed from a Dutch company with some international business to a multinational with Dutch roots. This was achieved through a mixture of organic growth, such as the creation of ING Direct from scratch, as well as various large acquisitions.

The first large acquisition took place in 1995, when ING took over Barings Bank. This acquisition increased the brand recognition of ING around the world and strengthened its wholesale banking presence in the emerging markets. And then there was Life of Georgia. This insurance company was acquired by Nationale-Nederlanden in 1979, resulting in a significant increase in activities in the US. Via Life of Georgia, the activities in Asia expanded considerably. However in 2004, ING as a group had become well-established in both regions and Life of Georgia was sold.

Other acquisitions, such as the Belgian Bank Brussels Lambert, strengthened the Group’s presence in the Benelux. In addition, the activities in the United States were doubled as a result of organic growth and the acquisition of Equitable of Iowa, ReliaStar, Aetna Financial Services and merchant bank Furman Selz.

ING is also active in other parts of the world. In 2001, ING acquired a majority interest in the Polish Bank Śląski and entered the Indian life insurance market through ING Vysya Life Insurance.

Furthermore, ING participates in a number of financial institutions. An important example is the partnership with the Bank of Beijing.

Postbank, legally known as Eurobank Bulgaria, is a leading universal bank in Bulgaria, offering a full range of banking services: various types of accounts and deposits; consumer loans; mortgage loans; special products for financing small enterprises and entrepreneurs; corporate credits; mutual funds; investments and cash management; foreign exchange transactions; credit and debit cards; bank guarantees and letters of credit; securities trading and trade finance activities.

The bank commands a market share of nearly 10%, a workforce of over 2 700 employees and a branch network of almost 200 locations countrywide.

Postbank is a member of Eurobank Group. Eurobank is a European banking organization with total assets of € 67.7 bn (as at 31.12.2012), offering universal banking across eight countries. Eurobank has a dynamic presence in Greece and holds lead positions in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, offers discerning Wealth Management services in Cyprus, Luxembourg and London and is also present in the Ukraine.

Eurobank Group (with former name Eurobank EFG Group) started to operate on the Bulgarian market through its subsidiary, Postbank, in 1998, and in the next years incorporated the following legal entities Bulgarian Retail Services AD, EFG Leasing EAD, EFG Auto Leasing EOOD, EFG Property Services Sofia AD, Eurobank EFG Factors SA – Branch Bulgaria, IMO Property Investments Sofia EAD, IMO Central Office EAD, IMO Rila EAD and IMO 03 EAD.

In December 2006 Eurobank EFG acquired control of another bank in Bulgaria, DZI Bank. Postbank and DZI Bank merged in November 2007 under the brand of Postbank and the legal name Eurobank EFG Bulgaria AD, thus creating one of the leading banking institutions in the country.

Having a banking history of over 20 successful years Postbank ranks among the leading universal banks in Bulgaria. Total assets of the Bank reached 5 991 million  BGN as of 31 December 2011. In the beginning of 2011 the Bulgarian Credit Rating Agency has assigned a long-term rating of ВВВ to Postbank with a stable outlook and a short-term rating of А-2.

NOT JUST ANOTHER MALL BUT A WHOLE NEW LIFESTYLE

SOFIA RING MALL gives you a full emotional experience. It is the newest mall in Sofia which revolutionizes the way people perceive, live, visit and look at malls.

SOFIA RING MALL is connected to the first and only IKEA store in Bulgaria and to a future residential development in the up-and-coming Malinova Dolina District, including upscale residential areas such as Boyana and Simeonovo, which makes it a powerful destination with a customer-friendly shopping concept. It provides entertainment and leisure opportunities which extend beyond its glass walls to green areas, recreation parks and breathtaking views towards the city and the Vitosha mountains. This immersive close-to-nature experience is what sets SOFIA RING MALL apart from its competition.

The green areas constitute 30% of the whole  project. One of the most important features of these open spaces is that they use as much natural light and ventilation as possible, strengthening the sense that we are walking among nature and not in artificially conditioned closed spaces.

When the investors – FOURLIS GROUP and DANAOS GROUP – started to plan the project they reviewed the relationship of the site with the people in the vicinity and the environment, and envisioned SOFIA RING MALL to be a shopping mall for citizens and families to congregate, play and shop while enjoying an eco-friendly experience. The nearby IKEA store already serves as a major destination for local residents. The two centers combined together – IKEA and SOFIA RING MALL – are expected to attract up to 40 000 people per day. Most of the project uses open air balconies and plazas to create the feeling of a downtown entertainment district. It is distributed on three levels and features a tenant mix of over 200 stores, including fashion and sports stores, wellness facilities, a 10-screen cinema multiplex, spacious and diverse outdoor and indoor court, reflecting the diverse styles and tastes of all types of customers. SOFIA RING MALL has a paramount portfolio of retailers and brands such as Cine’ Grand, Piccadilly Supermarket, Mr. Bricolage, Technomarket, Yavor furniture, Intersport, Public and many others.

“People will love this place, they will embrace it as an urban environment. It’s a microcosm of a city immersed in nature. SOFIA RING MALL offers instant gratification”, say the developers. 

MONBAT Plc. is a fast developing company which manufactures lead-acid batteries for various applications. Its products have been present on the international market for more than 50 years. The company’s wide product range includes starter batteries, stationary batteries, leisure, solar, marine batteries, special batteries for military applications (designed to meet both Russian and NATO standards), and locomotive batteries.

Monbat production facilities are located in the North-West Bulgarian town of Montana. The company employes a team of highly qualified experts, which along with the latest technologies and equipment, as well as the constant introduction of resulting innovations, makes it highly competitive on both the local and international markets.

EKO BULGARIA EAD was established in July 2002. It is member of the Greek Hellenic Petroleum Group, which is the largest commercial and industrial group in Greece and plays a crucial part in developing the energy sector in the region of South-Eastern Europe (Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Cyprus, Serbia, Montenegro and FYROM) and Georgia.The Company distributes its products and offers its services through a network of 86 service stations and 4 oil depots, using the EKO trade mark.

Lukoil Bulgaria EOOD is a commercial company of international renown with great economic and human potential. In 1999 it became part of the big Lukoil family following the privatization of Lukoil Neftochim Burgas, the biggest refinery on the Balkans.

The company is a leader in the sales and distribution of high-quality fuels, polymers and petrochemicals produced at the Lukoil Neftochim Burgas refinery.

With its 200 stations, the Lukoil filling station chain is the most dynamically developing one on the Bulgarian liquid fuel market. Lukoil Bulgaria EOOD offers its clients high-quality products, perfect service and comfort

LITEX COMMERCE JSC is a company with more than twenty years of experience, and develops successful business activities in many fields.

The Company is established as a Limited Liability Company in 1990 in the Town of Lovech. After its expansion in 1999 the Company was transformed into a Joint Stock Company. In 2002, the registered seat and address of LITEX COMMERCE JSC was moved to the City of Sofia.

Credibility and stability of the LITEX COMMERCE JSC is promoted particularly during the economic crisis and the collapse of the fuel market in the country in 1997. LITEX is one of the few Bulgarian companies that do not transfer its investments in foreign banks and companies abroad. This demonstrates the company’s long term intentions for business development and promotion of market economy, and namely the domestic market.

The Company grew and began its business expansion not only in trade of petroleum products, but also in many other industries: energy, food, transport, tourism, finance, real estate, motor industry, etc.

Over the years LITEX strongly supports the policy of non-engagement with political projects.

Today LITEX is one of the largest investors in the country, with total investments exceeding EUR 250 000 000.

For the years past LITEX COMMERCE JSC has managed to accumulate a registered capital of EUR 43 000 000.

As of today, the Group provides work for more than 3000 people.

We are a modern, vertically integrated energy company, one of the
largest of in Southeast Europe. Our strategic goal is to become regional
leader by 2020. Implementing new technologies and increasing efficiency
are central to this strategy.
Main business activities of the company are:

UPSTREAM

With a long tradition and high-quality resources, NIS is the only company
in Serbia which deals with exploration and production of crude oil and
gas, as well as with production of geothermal energy. These activities
were undertaken in Upstream. The majority of NIS oil fields are located
on the territory of Serbia, but the Company has business operations in
Serbia, as well as in the region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary,
Romania.

CRUDE REFINING

NIS refining complex consists of two refineries, located in Pančevo
and Novi Sad, which produce a whole range of petroleum products –
from motor gasoline and diesel fuel to mechanical lube oils and
feedstock for the petrochemical industry. Implementation of the
reconstruction and modernisation programme is crucial for development
in this area. Completion of construction of the Mild Hydrocracking and
Hydrotreating Plants (MHC/DHT) by the end of 2012 is the biggest
investment so far, owing to which NIS will completely transform its
production and will start producing fuels in compliance with the Euro 5
quality standard.

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

Activities in Sales and Distribution of Petroleum Products are directly
organised in order to satisfy customers’ needs. NIS owns the largest
network of petrol stations in Serbia- 417, 10 loading terminals, 18 LPG
bottle shops, and a network of depots across Serbia.

OILFIELD SERVICES

Oilfield Services perform activities related to: geophysical exploration;
drilling, workover and equipment of oil and gas wells; special operations
and measuring for oil, gas and water wells; maintenance and overhaul of
facilities and equipment, construction of pipelines, installations and oil
and gas technological systems, as well as transportation of equipment
and personnel.
Seasoned staff and modern equipment make it possible for the Oilfield
Services to operate all over the world (former Soviet republics, Asia
Minor, North Africa), and successfully compete with global companies.

ENERGY

NIS formed the Energy organisational unit in compliance with the
development strategy, recognising the key activities: positioning NIS as
an important energy company in Serbia and the region, increasing the
utilisation of renewable energy sources (geothermal energy, solar and
wind energy), conventional energy production (cogeneration, generation
of electrical energy by constructing large heating plants)

NIS AT FIRST GLANCE

• One of the largest vertically integrated energy companies in Southeast
Europe

• Public company:
– 56.15% Gazprom Neft
– 29.88% Republic of Serbia
– 13.97% minority shareholders

• Six main business activities:
– Exploration and Production of Crude oil and Gas
– Refining of Crude Oil and Gas
– Petrochemistry
– Oils and Lubes
– Oilfield Services
– Energy

• International company
– Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Montenegro,
Angola, Egypt, Turkmenistan

• Biggest contributor to the Serbian budget (13% of the budget)

• The most successful company in Serbia

• One of the biggest investors in the Balkans



In accordance with our mission and visoin, we are dedicated to
resposible use of natural resources and sustainable development,
implementation of modern technologies, increase in total efficiency and a
European standard in products and services. We nurture a high level of
corporate managemnet and environmental responsibility.


Basic production capacities are located in Serbia, which, owing to its
geographical position, is a natural centre of trade and investment in the
Balkans. NIS headquarters are in Novi Sad, and the Business Centres
are in Novi Sad and Belgrade.

NIS is the first company from Serbia to set up a permanent
Representative Office in EU’s effective capital – Brussels, in order to
ensure a faster implementation of European standards in business and
production, and to help with the EU integration of Serbia.


NIS TODAY


• NIS is the biggest investor in Serbia in 2011 (mild hydrocracking and
hydrotreating complex – EUR 396 million)

• NIS owns the biggest retail network in Serbia ( 85% of the total
petroleum products market)

• NIS introduces modern technologies to all segments of its business
operations

• NIS was the first to introduce fuel based on European quality standards
to the Serbian market.

• NISOTEC oil and lubes are winners of multiple awards at fairs.

• NIS shares are listed in BELEKS 15 – index of the most liquid
companies on the Belgrade Stock Exchange

• NIS is one of the most attractive employers in Serbia (always
responsible towards its employees, strategically cooperating with
universities in Belgrade and Novi Sad, and a part of the Serbian
Government’s First Chance internship programme).

• NIS is a socially responsible company which supported over 100
cultural, sports, science programmes and young talents in 2011 alone.


COMPANY HISTORY

The Company has a rich history, and was established, in its present
form, in 1991 as a public company for exploration, production, refining
and trade in crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas. In 2005, the
Company was transformed into a joint stock company, and in 2009, the
Russian company Gasprom njeft. became the majority shareholder,
which marks the beginning of a new phase in the development of the
company, with a focus on modernisation, and a more efficient and
profitable way of doing business.


OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

Gazprom Neft owns 56.15% of NIS shares, while 29.88% are owned by
Republic of Serbia. The remaining shares belong to citizens, employees,
former employees and other minority shareholders, hence the company
having around 3 million shareholders (on September 30, 2011). NIS
shares are listed on the Belgrade Stock Exchange.

The development

In the first year of its existance, the company was proclaimed the biggest green-field investment and received the distinction “Investment of the year”. At that point, over 1,1 billion BGN were put into the development of the GLOBUL network and services.

In August 2005, 100% of the company shares were purchased by COSMOTE Group – a major player on the telecommunication markets of Greece, Roumania, Albania and Macedonia. In spring 2006, the company changed its corporate identity in order to reflect the change in ownership and mark a new stage in its development – as an operator within the COSMOTE Group.

In November 2006, GLOBUL greeted its 3 millionth subscriber. At the end of 2007, the number of GLOBUL subscribers exceeded 3,8 million. The considerable investments made for network expansion and optimization allow the company to offer high-quality services to its numerous clients.

In 2008, with the help of the EU, GLOBUL invested over half a million BGN in employee training to the purpose of increasing effectiveness in customer service and achieving greater customer satisfaction. Along with the pursuit for quality service, in 2008 the company launched a long-term project aimed at environmental preservation. For the first time, a Bulgarian telecommunication company proposes a long-term plan of measures and initiatives orientated towards reduction of the environmental influence of its activity, encouragement of recycling and reuse of mobile devices and support of public projects to same purpose.

  The services

We provide our clients with the full range of telecommunication services: mobile, fixed and data transfer, so that their freedom and pleasure in unlimited communication may be guaranteed. We continually invest in innovative solutions in order to respond to the ever-chaning needs of our clients. We transform challenges into advantages, in order to continue to advance together. As of the end of 2010, GLOBUL has 3.9 million subscribers, while its services are available to 99.98% of Bulgaria’s population, covering over 99.23% of the country’s territory. GLOBUL UMTS network covers 88.96% of the population. We offer roaming services in over 180 countries in partnership with over 400 international telecommunication networks.

The company possesses a license for fixed telephone services. GLOBUL was the first mobile operator in Bulgaria to offer an integrated solution for fixed and mobile telephone services – referred to as mobile virtual private network (mVPN), as well as the first SIM card with two mobile numbers – GLOBUL 2 in 1.

Since 2007, we have provided our clients with the lowest prices in Bulgaria for roaming calls towards European Union countries, and since 2008, we are offering new, attractive prices for roaming calls towards countries outside the European Union (EU). GLOBUL launched the 3G Video Portal service, including real-time television, news, weather forecasts and camera views from key points around the capital and mountain resorts. The company offers BlackBerry smartphones to the market, through which users receive easy and reliable access to mobile telephone services, electronic mail, Internet, text and multimedia messages, personal organizer and corporate applications in a single device. Towards the end of 2007 we offered fixed telephone services for corporate clients through the GLOBUL Office Zone service, and since 2008 we have been offering fixed services for private subscribers, through GLOBUL Student Zone. The latter is another inovative GLOBUL service, which provides our clients with a quality, user-friendly and flexible communication solution.

  THE SUPPLY NETWORK

The company has developed a wide distribution network. GLOBUL offers products and services in over 430 points of sale throughout the whole country. Official GLOBUL representatives are Germanos, GlobalNet and Internity. The company possesses a network of 145 brand stores. We have successful partnerships with over 3000 distributers and suppliers.

  The team

Over 1300 young and highly qualified experts work within GLOBUL. We believe that professionalism, respect and consistent high quality of the solutions offered are the key to lasting trust.

Convertonet, established in 2007 and based in Herzliya, Israel, is an international online marketing agency that focuses on internet marketing and web development in the gaming sector.

Convertonet is the exclusive online marketing agency for the Mansion Group, promoting brands such as: Casino.com, MansionCasino.com, Club777.com, Slotsheaven.com, and Lesacasino.com.

We offer various marketing services such as: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Affiliates Management, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Media Buying Campaigns and Social Media Optimization.

STRABAG has been active in the Bulgarian market since 2002 and since 2008 has appeared under the brand name STRABAG EAD. By now the group has subsidiaries in all regions of Bulgaria relevant to the market. The company operates in all construction sectors, particularly in Transportation Infrastructures and Building Construction & Civil Engineering as well as on environmental construction projects.

In Transportation Infrastructures particular emphasis is placed upon the rehabilitation of national, regional and municipal roads. STRABAG’s experience allows the provision of motorways, expressways and the modernization, expansion and new construction of railways and rail facilities. Furthermore, STRABAG operates successfully in the areas of hydraulic engineering and canal construction as well as the redevelopment of supply lines. The construction of outdoor facilities, parking spaces, pavements and sports grounds also part of STRABAG’s field of activity.

Noteworthy projects in Building Construction would be the building of the Sofia Airport and the construction of various business centers, for example Sofia’s Megapark. In general, building construction comprises the construction of office, residential and shopping facilities.

The Civil Engineering sector comprises the construction of sewage treatment systems, refuse sorting plants, composting plants and hydroelectric power plants as well as the development and modernisation of urban waste water systems.

In addition to the STRABAG EAD (Transportation Infrastructures, Building Construction & Civil Engineering, environmental technology, fresh concrete), the group is represented in Bulgaria with the Mineral 2000 EOOD corporations, Z-Design EOOD and TPA.

Landmark Property Management Jsc is a full-service provider in the field of asset and facility management. The company was set up in 2007 as a 100 % subsidiary of one of the biggest integrated real estate holding in Bulgaria – Alfa Developments, recently renamed Landmark Holdings.

The team of the company combines an excellent understanding of the real estate market and field experience, to provide clients with knowledgeable, creative solutions to their real estate needs.

The portfolio of LPM Jsc includes some of the most high profile real estate projects in Bulgaria, such as Sofia Central Park, Burgas Plaza, Plovdiv Retail Park , Alfa Business Centre and the Landmark Centre Sofia.

KEY BENEFITS & HIGHLIGHTS
Key benefits for our customers are:

• LPM provides a total management solution allowing our customers to concentrate more on their core business
• Considerable savings in facility management services and preventative maintenance.
• Protecting and increasing the value of the maintained assets and extending their life.
• Transparency of all costs.
• We employ trained professionals with strong regional and local knowledge
• We handle the day-to-day needs of your property, maximizing your bottom line.
• Optimization of the technical maintenance with the adoption of best practices
• Regular inspections of all the installations which alleviates unwanted emergency occurrences.
• Higher quality of the workplace
• Sustainable innovations
  • Energy and carbon emission reduction
  • Recycling solutions
  • Water conservation
• Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures for all activities, accompanied with Key Performance Indicator assessments
• By Facility Managing your assets, we can significantly improve performance, reduce capital costs, reduce asset-related operating costs, extend asset life and subsequently improve ROA (return on assets).

We have worked hard so that we can today describe us with one word only – KRIT.

When we founded KRIT, we knew we wanted to build buildings no one had seen so far. To make this real we did our best and were constant, because we believed that this was the way it had to be.

Our never ending work and devotedness led us to one of the leader positions in the Bulgarian building market. So that today we are described with one word only – KRIT.

South-east Europe – our main market – is the fastest developing economic zone in Europe. The fundamental challenge facing us is to grow with a rate that exceeds considerably the growth of the economies in the region. The strategy pursued by us for investments in new technologies, innovations, geographical enlargement, and new product ranges and penetration into new sectors has been producing excellent results now for several years in succession. However, we do not deem this to be sufficient.

    For the next decade, we have set ourselves an unusual objective – the transformation of Kaolin into a “green” company.

    Huge efforts are to be exerted in order for a mining company such as Kaolin to attain a stage, where its impact on the environment is much more favourable than harmful. However, we are firmly determined to achieve it because it is our believe that the “green” orientation is strategically the more responsible model for our development, and from the business point of view could turn out to be also quite a profitable undertaking.

    The “green” strategy of Kaolin comprises several elements:

    Firstly, this is orientation toward production and offering of products and solutions directed at conservation of various components of the environment, such as limestone for sulphur purification installations for the thermal power plants, selected sands for filtering drinking water, etc.

    At present, our activities in this field are focused on offering our traditional customers from the glass and ceramics ceramics sector such products and solutions that lead to increasing the energy efficiency and, respectively, lower emissions of carbon dioxide.

    We are actively developing technologies and entire new product ranges intended for the construction and other sectors, which are based on the overall utilization of the raw materials extracted from our main deposits and result in generating zero or minimum waste.

    Of course, the “green” strategy also means modernization of our production so that we generate minimum emissions of carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of the global climate changes. So that now, neither of our productions uses liquid fuels or coal.

    We are convinced that amongst you – our customers and partners – we shall find more and more followers and adherents of our strategy. Thus, the club of “green” companies will grow, and for us shall remain the satisfaction to be one of its first members.

Transcapital EOOD develops international transport with high end quality in Eastern and Western Europe, Middle East and Asia. We are popular among our international transport clients with the guaranteed neutrality in realizing large projects from Bulgaria to Western Europe and to the Middle East and back.      Transcapital is among the five largest Bulgarian international transport companies.The company owns modern trucks for international transport – “Mercedes Benz Actros”, equipped with the latest technological achievements. Transcapital offers a big variety of trailers and semi-trailers – “Schmiz” and “Krone”, refrigerators “Schmiz”, equipped with cooling units – “Carrier”, Road train box trailers – “Sommer” – Garments on hang for transport of ready-made clothes, all of them produced with air suspension bellows.     Our company handles transport of all kind of loads and owns the biggest fleet of high volume motor vehicles – 120 cubic meters. The main transport activity is done with refrigerated vehicles with temperature from +20° С to -20° С, including frigo trailers – “Doppelstock”. Our qualified drivers have all the necessary permits including for transport dangerous goods (class ADR1 and ADR7 are excluded).Transcapital guarantees to all it’s clients transport of loads, needed transit time and schedule of special supplies “door to door” and “just in time”.Nowadays TRANSCAPITAL is a highly respected partner in the field of transportation and international exchange of merchandise. For more than fifteen years our company continues its development investing in employees and more new vehicles.The company aims to keep in touch with the latest market needs, expanding its services in the field of transportation and logistics.

Tishman International Companies is a worldwide leader in the commercial real estate market. We acquire, finance, develop and manage Class A office, retail, logistics warehouse and office and mixed use properties. Our experience and expertise have resulted in the development of landmark commercial real estate projects throughout the United States and Europe. Tishman serves as a consultant and joint venture partner to some of the world’s leading institutional and private investors.

At Tishman, we feel that the genesis of our success evolves from our basic philosophy of managing our clients’ assets as we do our own, with pride of ownership and attention to every detail. As a result of our broad experience and advanced capabilities, it has been proven that we have enhanced the value of investment properties at every level, from site selection, acquisition, planning and design, to finance, construction, leasing and management while maintaining the highest standards. We take pride in our origins as one of the original and most accomplished commercial real estate pioneers in the United States. Today, Tishman International continues to expand its real estate and management portfolios internationally, with exciting new opportunities such as the development of our most recent project, the LEED- Certified Sofia Airport Center, a two million-square-foot international business park built to western European standards located in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Side by side with many of our prestigious partners, we continue to develop and manage first class projects which reinforce our commitment to a “green” environment.

Active in the United States and Europe, Tishman is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with European offices in London, England, Sofia, Bulgaria, and Vienna, Austria.

Sixty K was founded in May 2008 with a view to providing a compelling  alternative to the traditional BPO and contact centre outsourcing partner. The Board and Management of Sixty K realised that the ultimate competitive advantage a company can have is not only the provision of World Class Customer Service but one that is Legendary.

Following the acquisition of our first building, an empty shell,  in June 2008 we installed 47Km of cabling, 450 workstations and associated switches, ACD, CTI and dialling equipment. Connected to two fibre telephony networks and recruited and trained over 100 personnel enabling us to start taking our Clients’ customer  calls and emails within 5 weeks.

Since then we have steadily grown both in size and stature opening our second facility, in Sofia, Bulgaria in August 2011 with a further 200 seats,  with the potential for 400 more, and now operate in over 20 different languages, through all channels of communication such as voice, email, live chat, fax, forums, etc., and are planning a third facility that will be opened in Belgrade, Serbia towards the end of 2012.

In 2010 Sixty K became ISO9001:2008 accredited thus cementing the strong foundations that we laid in creating  the company and giving both our existing and future Clients the confidence that they are working with a very professional outsourcing partner.

A measure of our success is that in 2009 Sixty K  one of our customer service agents won the Gold medal for the “World’s Best Customer Service Agent” at the Contact Centre World .com event in Las Vegas, and in 2010 we won awards for the “Best medium sized Outsourcer”, “Best Outsourcing Partnership” and “Best Trainer”.

Acronis is a global technology company with headquarters in Switzerland and Singapore

At Acronis, we protect the data, applications, systems and productivity of every organization – safeguarding them against cyberattacks, hardware failures, natural disasters and human errors. We empower service providers to protect their infrastructure and the infrastructure of their clients while maintaining high profit margins. We enable corporate IT teams and home office users to protect their business’ critical infrastructure with high reliability and a low cost.

We are the largest Film Production Services in Eastern Europe!

The Studio is the successor of the former Bulgarian State-owned Boyana Film Studios, established in 1962 as the main feature film and television production facility in the country until the early 1990′s.

It is currently owned by the Hollywood-based Production companies Nu- Image and Millennium Films. The company was founded in 1992 under the name Nu Image, Inc. 

Millennium Films is one of the longest-running independent film companies in the history of Hollywood, with 20 years and more than 300 movies to its credit.  The company now produces, finances and handles international sales for 5-8 star-driven movies per year, generally with budgets between $20 million and $80 million.

It is best known for such films as “The Expendables” (a $273 million worldwide hit), “Righteous Kill” (reteaming Robert De Niro and Al Pacino) and Werner Herzog’s “Bad Lieutenant. Millennium also operates full-service studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Sofia, Bulgaria.  

Since Nu-Boyana Film Studios rebuilt this picturesque place on the outskirts of Sofia, we have hosted the production of 180 Feature Films, including high-budget movies such as“The Black Dahlia”  “The Way Back”  The Expendables”  ”Conan” “300, the Rise of an Empire”

Nu-Boyana is a full Service Operation with standing sets which can be economically transformed to meet  the production’s needs. 95% of the film can be shot right on the studio lot.

Nu-Boyana has everything to produce a high quality film: camera equipment, lighting equipment, production offices, picture vehicles, vast art department, standing sets, catering, post production facilities, all the way down to costumes and extra casting services.

The crews and personnel maintain a high standard of professionalism, and are all English-speaking.

Among these facilities, we host Kodak Cinelabs, and the CGI Worldwide FX in Bulgaria has “grown in size and stature to become one of the premiere Visual Effects houses in Europe.

The studio puts a huge effort into supporting Film-makers in fulfilling their artistic vision by creating a comfortable environment whilst helping them stay within their budgets. The focus is on the quality of the Services and having everything on site.

The American College of Sofia is one of the oldest American educational institutions outside the United States. It traces its roots directly to a school for boys opened in Philipopolis by American missionaries for the 1860-61 school year. These missionaries, led by Dr. James F. Clarke, opened a school for girls at Stara Zagora three years later and those two schools grew into the American College.

After World War I, the Mission Boards decided to end their operations in Bulgaria and to close the schools at Samokov. Alumni and friends of the schools in Bulgaria, including some high ranking government officials, protested this decision, as did many of those in the United States who had been donating funds for their operation. In 1926, a decision was made to turn the schools over to a new organization – Sofia American Schools, Inc. It was created for the sole purpose of providing education for Bulgaria youth and agreed to merge the two schools and build a new campus at a site already selected in Simeonovo.

When Dr. Whitaker announced that the College would enroll that fall the 50 boys and 50 girls scoring highest on an entrance examination, about 2,700 seventh grade students registered to take it. He recruited a small faculty and administrative staff, and in September 1992 the College was reopened, 50 years after the last American teachers had left the campus. 

Dr. Whitaker was given access to one building on the old campus less than six weeks before the College was to open. The new staff members, joined by alumni and friends of the College in Sofia, spent those weeks cleaning and restoring that one building. The government has since leased to the College most, but not all, of the buildings constructed before the war along with a portion of the old campus. The police academy occupies much of the property. Since 1992 Sofia American Schools, Inc. has spent more than $3,000,000 on restoration and equipment for the College while USAID has provided more than $2,000,000 to renovate the old campus buildings and to buy additional equipment.

The goals of the reopened College are the same as its goals in the 1930s: to provide Bulgarian youth with the best possible education, including fluency in English, and to instill in them high standards of morality and integrity. Since the reopening, the College has enrolled well over 2,000 students. In the current school year, it has 744 students, 20 of whom are internationals. Since 1997, the year the first class graduated from the College, approximately 1,900 students have earned American College diplomas.  The College has regained the reputation it held in the 1930s as one of the premier secondary schools in the Balkans and its graduates are now eagerly recruited by prestigious universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and throughout Europe. In October, 2010, the American College of Sofia celebrated the 150^th anniversary of its founding.

The Anglo-American School of Sofia (AAS) was established in 1967 to meet the educational needs of children from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Charter permits the School to enroll children from other diplomatic missions and generally from the international community in Sofia. It is a private secular school without affiliation to any religious denomination, political party or interest group.

For several years it operated on two sites, 15 kilometers apart, but in January 1998 it moved to the campus of The American College of Sofia. In September 2006 we began the school year in our brand new, purpose built campus on seven hectares of land near Pancharevo. The new campus boasts modern facilities and is designed to accommodate 350 students.

The International Children Creativity Foundation (ICCF) is an English-only preschool where play and learning come together in a warm, caring environment.

We provide half-time and full-time care for children two to five years old throughout the year.

ICCF  was founded in 1997 by mothers from the international community. Since then it remains Sofia’s premier international preschool.

There are many things that make ICCF unique. Some of the most important include:

1. Our status of a non-profit, run by a professional Director and a volunteer Board of Parents.

2. Enthusiastic and highly qualified teachers  who have earned university degrees in preschool education and have lived abroad in English-speaking countries. They care deeply about their job and the children in their care.

3. A daily schedule that balances play with learning, arts, music and physical education.

4. Specialized UK- and US-based programs that teach positive interpersonal and communication skills, pre-reading and math skills. The program develops well-rounded children who are fully prepared for primary school.

5. A wide variety of seasonal activities such as ski school, green school, swimming, tennis and football lessons, in addition to our regular twice-weekly karate and dance lessons.

6. The international mix of children that provides a rich, cultural environment and helps ensure the use of English as a common language.

7. An embassy-approved safety and security system designed to protect children from various hazards, including earthquakes and fires.

The Cedar Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Bulgaria in 2005 that focuses on de-institutionalisation: the process of closing down the big specialized institutions for children and young adults with physical and intellectual difficulty and replacing them with family-type community services.

We manage the Family-type homes “Siyanie” in the town of Kyustendil where 24 children and young adults with physical and intellectual difficulty live. They previously lived in an old, dilapidated and isolated institution in the village of Gorna Koznitsa prior to its closure in 2010, carried out with the active participation of the Foundation. 

Cedar also supports the work of a Day care Centre for children with special needs in the town of Kazanlak. The Foundation provides trainings for the staff, professional exchange programs as well as additional staff, materials and equipment.

The Cedar Foundation works in partnership with national and local Bulgarian authorities, other Bulgarian and foreign NGOs and other shareholders. It is a member of National Network for Children, National Alliance for Social Responsibility and Eurochild.

The A21 Campaign is a non-governmental organization that works to “abolish injustice in the 21st Century.”Efforts are currently focused on human trafficking and sex slavery in Europe. Greece, a destination country for human trafficking, and other Eastern European countries including Ukraine and Bulgaria are countries of origin for victims of trafficking.See also human trafficking in Greece, human trafficking in Ukraine, and human trafficking in Bulgaria.

The A21 campaign was referenced in both the 2011 and the 2012 publications of the United States Department of State publication of the Trafficking in Persons Report.

In Australia and the United States, the A21 Campaign works to encourage students to be abolitionists in their own way.In Ukraine, a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, A21 has warned over 3,500 students of the dangers of trafficking in their country.

Levski (Bulgarian: Левски) is a professional association football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The team competes in the First League, the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The club was founded on May 24, 1914 as a football department of Sport Club Levski by a group of students, and is named after Vasil Levski, a Bulgarian revolutionary renowned as the national hero of the country.

Levski have participated in more seasons of the Bulgarian football championship than any other team, and are the only Bulgarian team to have never been relegated. They have won 26 A Group titles, 25 Bulgarian Cups and 3 Super Cups, which include a record 13 Doubles and 2 Trebles. On an international basis, Levski have reached three European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals and two UEFA Cup quarter-finals. In 2006, they became the first Bulgarian club to reach the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

The team’s regular kit colour is all-blue. Levski’s home ground is the Vivacom Arena – Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia, which has a capacity of 25,000 spectators. The club’s biggest rivals are CSKA Sofia, and matches between the two capital sides are commonly referred to as The Eternal Derby of Bulgaria. Levski is also a regular member of the European Club Association and the European Multisport Club Association.

Early life and career

Born in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, West began his career in 1981 when he became a film editor with the BBC in London. During a four-year tenure at the BBC, West was involved with a number of award-winning productions including the documentary series Strangeways Prison and the drama series Bleak House both of which won awards from the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

West’s career took off in 1985 when he began freelancing as a director and he was awarded a grant from the Arts Council of Great Britain to write and direct the film entitled Dolly Mixtures. He was subsequently signed to Limelight London to direct music videos and commercials. In 1987 he won Best Video at the Montreux Music Festival for Mel and Kim’s Respectable. He also directed the video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” in the same year.

With a flourishing commercial career, West relocated to Los Angeles offices of Limelight in 1991. Moving to Pilot pictures in 1992, he received a Clio Award for Little Caesar’s Airplane and a Golden Lion Award for Little Caesar’s “Italian Feast.”

West joined Propaganda Films in 1993 with a roster of credits including McDonalds, Sprite, AT&T, Ford, Miller Beer and Budweiser. His most famous commercial was a spot for Pepsi where a little boy sucks himself into a Pepsi bottle. The ad ran during the Super Bowl and was USA Today’s highest rated commercial for that year.

1990s to today

In 1997, he directed the international blockbuster Con Air for Jerry Bruckheimer starring Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich and followed that up in 1999 with The General’s Daughter starring John Travolta.

In 2001, he directed Lara Croft : Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie

2001. West originated the project “Black Hawk Down” after reading Mark Bowden’s newspaper articles on the failed US mission in Somalia. West pitched the idea to his old collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer and spent 2 years developing the script with the writer Ken Nolan. Due to scheduling conflicts with West’s other film “Lara Croft Tomb Raider” and a threatened SAG strike he was not able to direct the movie but served as an executive producer on the Oscar nominated Black Hawk Down.

In 2003, he was credited as an executive producer for the critically acclaimed Fox show, Keen Eddie, also serving as director for the pilot and second episode.

In 2005, he directed the pilot for the Jerry Bruckheimer produced CBS show Close to Home.

In 2006, he directed the Screen Gems thriller, When a Stranger Calls.

In 2011, he directed the action-thriller The Mechanic, starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster, a remake of the 1972 film of the same name.

West is developing the movie titled Protection starring Dwayne Johnson. It is slated for a 2012 release. It’s scheduled to shoot this fall in New Mexico. The screenplay is by Brandon Noonan. Produced by Stuart Ford and Robert Lawrence, along with Gordon Gray and Marc Ciardi of Mayhem Pictures. Brian Kavanaugh Jones will executive produce and Jib Polhemus will act as co-producer.^[2]

West directed The Expendables 2 (2012), replacing the first film’s director, Sylvester Stallone, with Stallone focusing on acting in and writing the film. Filming began in summer 2011. West directed Nicolas Cage in the film Stolen in 2012. Currently West is directing a crime thriller film Heat with Jason Statham in New Orleans, a remake of 1986 Heat. Film will be released on August 7, 2014, based on a novel Heat by William Goldman.

Filmography

• Thunder Run (2015)
• Heat (2014)
• The Expendables 2 (2012)
• Mariah Mundi: The Midas Box (2012)
• Stolen (2012)
• The Mechanic (2011)
• When a Stranger Calls (2006)
• Keen Eddie (executive producer) (2003)
• Black Hawk Down (executive producer) (2001)
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
• The General’s Daughter (1999)
• Con Air (1997)