site.bta Bulgarian Employers' Association of Innovative Technologies to Work for Bulgaria's Transition to Fifth Industrial Revolution

The Bulgarian Employers' Association of Innovative Technologies (BRAIT), which brings together associations, clusters, and companies representing Bulgaria's high-tech economy, will work for this country's fifth industrial revolution transition. "All the influential high-tech associations and clusters in Bulgaria have come together, united in the awareness that Bulgaria and the world are on the verge of a technological change that will transform the world economically," Dobroslav Dimitrov, BRAIT Management Board Chair and Bulgarian Association of Software Companies Advisory Board member, said at a press conference at the BTA National Press Club in Sofia on Tuesday. "The reason for this is the fifth industrial revolution that will transform everything around us. Our ambition is to help Bulgaria go through this change," Dimitrov added.

The organization intends to apply for nationally representative status and join the tripartite dialogue, where it plans to advocate for an accelerated transition to a high-tech economy. According to BRAIT estimates, the industries united in the new organization account for about 20% of Bulgaria's gross domestic product. The areas on which the organization will focus in order to achieve its goal include personnel training, the state regulation of the tax and insurance system, education, and the rule of law, Dimitrov said.

Ilia Krastev, BRAIT Management Board member and Chair of the Management Board of the Association for Innovation, Business Excellence, Services, and Technology, said that the aim of the alliance is to shift the conversation from how Bulgaria is catching up with other countries to how the country can become a leader in the new high-tech economic development.

Svetozar Georgiev, BRAIT Management Board member and head of Bulgarian Entrepreneurs Association, said that the goal of the organization is to enhance Bulgaria’s economic growth.

Svetlana Boyanova, BRAIT Board Member, Institute for Agrostrategies and Innovations Chair, and Chair of the first European digital innovation hub, highlighted the role of the organization as a link between the agriculture sector and high-tech companies.