site.btaEuropean Digital Economy and Society Commissioner Opens Startup Europe Summit

105 POLITICS - CONFERENCE - STARTUP SUMMIT - amplified

European Digital Economy and Society
Commissioner Opens
Startup Europe Summit


Sofia, November 15 (BTA) - European Digital Economy and Society Commissioner Mariya Gabriel opened the fourth Startup Europe Summit here on Thursday. The forum was also attended by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Serbian PM Ana Brnabic, Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev, Montenegrin PM Dusko Markovic, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj and EU representatives.

Gabriel said that startup enterprises are increasingly important for Europe, and that it is time to have a genuine digital single market.

According to PM Borissov, the Balkans have often been called "a powder keg" because of the numerous wars they have been through. As the region is notorious as a breeding ground for credit card scams, hacker attacks and data breaches, Borissov suggests the potential of hackers be used constructively in order to set up honest businesses, like their less-skilled peers have done.

"With the help of the European Commission, the support of digital innovation hubs and the political will of other countries, we want the region to become a digital economy centre," said Borissov, noting that there is a reason why, when speaking about transport infrastructure, one invariably includes digital infrastructure. He said that through this meeting and upcoming forums Bulgaria hopes to create a platform for a strong Balkan digital economy.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Markovic said his country is determined to overcome the challenges confronting startup companies and is drafting several documents which will create a better environment for such businesses. Montenegro is also preparing a multiannual programme which will provide for the creation of startup business promotion mechanisms by 2020.

Serbian Prime Minister Brnabic stressed the importance of the transition to a knowledge-based economy which is a way to catch up with the developed countries in the EU and worldwide. Startup companies, according to Brnabic, provide the framework for the type of economy we need to develop. The digitization of the public sector is also important. The Serbian leader called for incentives for the digital economy, including special tax incentives for innovative businesses. A proposal to this end has been submitted to the Parliament in Belgrade. Serbia is also creating a special legislative environment to provide more accessible and affordable funding to such businesses.

Macedonian Prime Minister Zaev called for a concerted effort in the Balkans to make progress in the field of information technology so that the region can catch up with Western Europe sooner. Many young people in Macedonia are being encouraged to design projects by using government funding. This year, a Macedonian innovation fund is supporting over 100 companies, mainly startups, directly with public money, Zaev said.

According to Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, the first projects under a local programme for startup business support are expected to be approved early next year. RY/LY/TH/VE
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