For the United Nations Development Programme
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39 ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE TRANSITION TOWARDS MARKET ECONOMY establishment. Its non-government organi- zations have been built, the most influen- tial among them being the Union for Eco- nomic Initiative of Citizens. These NGOs engage in training businessmen through courses and seminars, providing informa- tion and consultations, as well as links with partners from Bulgaria and abroad. The Euro-Info Correspondence Center informs small and middle-size firms about Euro- pean markets. The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Economic Chamber have a network of regional orga- nizations. They provide business informa- tion, consultations, training in entrepre- neurship and management, access to fairs and exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. It would be useful for the entrepreneur- ship NGOs to expand their activity by draft- ing codes of behaviour norms of entrepre- neurs from different professions. Abidance by these norms would change the attitude towards private entrepreneurship. By adopt- ing such documents and complying with their regulations the state could shift some of its functions onto the professional orga- nizations, e.g. licensing, some control func- tions, etc. The establishment of the Asso- ciation of Employers Organizations in 1995 provided the basis for a coordinated policy in the field of entrepreneurship. So far no state institution has been directly committed to the development of entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Indus- try is involved in this economic sector through the Small and Middle-size Enter- prises fund. The activity of the special de- partment on small business has been con- fined to providing technical services to the fund and cooperation with the PHARE programme. The Ministry of Labour and Social Care plays certain coordinating role, although this is not among its major func- tions. Its role is limited to orienting the un- employed towards independent business and training them in entrepreneurial skills. The municipalities are the institutions that have the largest stake in the develop- ment of entrepreneurship and are best aware of the problems of entrepreneurs. Some municipalities have formed associa- tions for solving common problems, entre- preneurship included, and this is a positive development. Many municipalities take part in regional development agencies founded with the help of the PHARE programme, while others have initiated the establishment of similar agencies. How- ever, the municipalities lack the necessary funds to implement their plans to promote entrepreneurship. At the same time, unused industrial buildings and sites, owned by state enterprises, remain deserted on their territories. There is an urgent need of a specialized institution functioning as a coordinator of the policy of encouraging entrepreneurship. This can be an agency, incorporating coun- cils of professional entrepreneurship orga- nizations. It would be best if this bodys powers are stipulated by a law. 3.6. Mechanisms encouraging entrepreneurship The first step for setting up financial formulas for encouraging and assisting en- trepreneurship was made in 1991 through the establishment of the Small Enterprises specialized fund. It has been used for: - granting loans at mitigated condi- tions; - reimbursing 50 per cent of the inter- ests paid for used investment loans; - lump-sum financial aid to the tune of 50 per cent of the capital stated at the time of registering newly established small enterprises; - reimbursing 50 per cent of the ex- penses for becoming part of the electric power, water supply, communication and road infrastructure; - technical and technological develop- ment and improvement of the quality and design of goods and services. What is needed are codes of entrepreneurship HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT ! BULGARIA 1996 40 Similar funds have also been set up with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bulgarian Economic Chamber, and others. Investment funds in Bulgaria also have their drafts of stimulat- ing and assisting private entrepreneurship. The American Investment Fund, two pilot projects of the PHARE programme and other initiatives complement the existing financial mechanisms for assisting entre- preneurship. The big gap between labour demand and supply has led to introducing an in- centive for starting up a small business. The unemployed, who submit a small business project to the labour office, get all their unemployment benefits as a lump sum pay- ment. A benefit to the amount of four mini- mal working salaries is also paid, provided the business project envisages employment for a second unemployed family member. The high rate of youth unemployment prompted the establishment of a Fund for Encouraging Youth Entrepreneurship. The fund is aimed at granting low-interest loans with a gratis period to finance business projects of young people. The bulk of loans for promoting small business and entrepreneurship are granted by commercial banks under normal mar- ket conditions and against guarantees for loan repayment. Reliefs for small business companies that have proven their solvency are provided through the possibilities to use revolving loan, opening of a credit line and overdraft. Nonetheless, commercial banks are not very willing to grant loans to small business. Risks in investment projects with a longer period of capital maturing are big. That is why private entrepreneurs prefer activities that have a quick capital turnover (trade and services) and refrain from in- vestment in industry and farming. The fi- nancial schemes for supporting entrepreneur- ship should develop with priority guarantee funds for granting loans used for the financ- ing of specific projects. This would boost high-tech and risky ventures, would help overcome the mental barrier to using loans as a whole for fear of losing the mortgaged property. The infrastructure reliefs are of major importance for the development of entre- preneurship. Supporting services include legal, accounting, marketing, technical and other consulting assistance. Entrepreneur- ship is also encouraged by giving premises or construction sites to let. Business incubators are a suitable form that combines non-material and physical in- frastructure reliefs. This form is yet to de- velop in Bulgaria. It is suitable for the large and middle-size towns where terrain is scarce, and the rents and cost of infrastruc- ture services are relatively higher. The infrastructure of small business and entrepreneurship includes also the units engaged in teaching entrepreneurial skills. The major organizer is the National Employment Service. Non-governmental organizations also train entrepreneurs. Training includes courses, both full-time and correspondence, information materi- als, lectures in the mass media, etc. These forms are especially suitable for entrepre- neurs from small localities that are far from big centers. Besides adults, training in en- trepreneurship might also cover children, if it is made part of curricula. The measures for boosting the effect of entrepreneurial training also include the in- troduction of state standards for training or- ganizations, and training programmes. The qualification requirements for entrepre- neurship are a necessary component of these measures. Bulgaria should implement them as part of its preparation for mem- bership into the European Union as re- quired by the rules for services provided by nationals of the Union member-coun- tries. Based on solid foundations, the sys- tem of entrepreneurial training can pro- mote entrepreneurial culture and manage- rial skills of the private entrepreneurs, and increase their potential for self-develop- ment. Guarantee funds would limit the entrepreneurs risk Towards state standards in entrepreneurship training Yüklə 1,65 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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