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Sat, Mar 20 2010
Alleged EU funds scandal involved government payback
The latest alleged scandal regarding European funds' misappropriation centres around the Ministry of Economy, headed by Petar Dimitrov.
Apparently, the number of bribes for European projects rose during the election period in Bulgaria. Up to 60 per cent commission from the subsidies has been siphoned back to 'experts' from the Ministry of Economy, in order for them to access European Union funds for a Bulgarian high tech company, Standart Daily has reported.
Allegedly, the scheme concerns projects earmarked for technical modernisation of Bulgarian firms, financed under operative programmes for improved competitiveness.
A Stara Zagora-based company, "Media Systems", had applied for a project worth two million leva of which European funds cover 1.084 million. "We were told through a third party that if we wanted to qualify for the million, we need to return the 600 000 back immediately," said Mladen Moutafchiiski, Media System's board director, as quoted by Standart.
Eventually, the company was kicked out of the tender altogether, as they could not comply 'with the condition'. The company's name has not been listed in either of the 39 remaining approved projects, nor the 46 reserve projects – their application form was simply "shredded".
Media Systems is the only Bulgarian company which manufactures a complete spectrum of discs. The company had applied for projects for disc production, which with slight modernisation would have allowed them to manufacture the new generation 'blue ray' systems. They also sought funds in order to purchase colour printers and air conditioning for their factory.
Instead, obscure and little known firms such as Trakia AD and Preskov AD have remained on the list, while Media System is out of the picture.
"The Ministry of Economy and Energy under Petar Dimitrov has decided to pour European money in perfumes, waffles and heavy industry," Moutafchiiski told Standart.
"This means that certain firms have agreed to play the game and immediately return 60 per cent of the investment back to Dimitrov, and those who can't, are out."
Apparently, the number of bribes for European projects rose during the election period in Bulgaria. Up to 60 per cent commission from the subsidies has been siphoned back to 'experts' from the Ministry of Economy, in order for them to access European Union funds for a Bulgarian high tech company, Standart Daily has reported.
Allegedly, the scheme concerns projects earmarked for technical modernisation of Bulgarian firms, financed under operative programmes for improved competitiveness.
A Stara Zagora-based company, "Media Systems", had applied for a project worth two million leva of which European funds cover 1.084 million. "We were told through a third party that if we wanted to qualify for the million, we need to return the 600 000 back immediately," said Mladen Moutafchiiski, Media System's board director, as quoted by Standart.
Eventually, the company was kicked out of the tender altogether, as they could not comply 'with the condition'. The company's name has not been listed in either of the 39 remaining approved projects, nor the 46 reserve projects – their application form was simply "shredded".
Media Systems is the only Bulgarian company which manufactures a complete spectrum of discs. The company had applied for projects for disc production, which with slight modernisation would have allowed them to manufacture the new generation 'blue ray' systems. They also sought funds in order to purchase colour printers and air conditioning for their factory.
Instead, obscure and little known firms such as Trakia AD and Preskov AD have remained on the list, while Media System is out of the picture.
"The Ministry of Economy and Energy under Petar Dimitrov has decided to pour European money in perfumes, waffles and heavy industry," Moutafchiiski told Standart.
"This means that certain firms have agreed to play the game and immediately return 60 per cent of the investment back to Dimitrov, and those who can't, are out."
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Piraeus Bank
Pepi Ivanova has joined Piraeus Bank Bulgaria as its news press office manager. She will be responsible for the bank's corporate communications and media relations and its subsidiaries - Piraeus Leasing Bulgaria, Bulfina, Piraeus Auto Leasing, Piraeus Insurance Brokerage and Piraeus Best Leasing. Ivanova has 10 years' experience in public relations and banking. She started her career as an associate at the NGO Center for the Study of Democracy and later became an economics journalist at Trud daily. She has also worked as a client service specialist and credit administrator at United Bulgarian Bank. Before joining Piraeus Bank, Ivanova spent seven years working for Globul mobile operator. She has a master's degree in philosophy and journalism from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and a post-graduate degree in banking from the University for National and World Economy in Sofia. Ivanova also holds a diploma from the London School of Public Relations.
Overgas
Valeria Vidinlieva is the new HR manager of Overgas natural gas suppliers. She will be responsible for the company's corporate social responsibility and for selection and training of staff. She joins the company after 24 years at Stomana Industry metallurgic firm, now part of the Greek Viohalco, where she headed the HR directorate. Vidinlieva is a graduate of Sofia's University of National and World Economy and has a degree in HR from Paisii Hilendarski University in Plovdiv.
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i think noob was being sarcastic.
Hey, why be shocked. It's not as if this is something new. This sort of thing is all around, not just in Bulgaria. Take for instance the claims scandal in the UK. Corrupt practices come in many different forms. Our charity has also been exposed to such a thing. We applied for a small amount of money, say about 100,000 leva. We were told by an insider that we could expect 50% of that to be "disappeared" If they take the money from the children who need it most then they have no qualms about taking it from business people.
i am shocked