Bulgaria expands aggregate production

The newly formed Bulgarian Association of Producers of Inert Materials looks set to become the latest member of the European Aggregates Association

Bulgaria is one of the most recent countries to join the 3654 European Union with accession in 2007 and has benefitted from closer relations with other countries within the region. Now its aggregates association is also planning to give its members a more pan-European outlook through its application to join the 2886 European Aggregates Association (UEPG).

The 4382 Bulgarian Association of Producers of Inert Materials (BAPIM) was officially launched on 15 July 2009 at a meeting in Sofia. The founding members of the national association are 10 leading extractive companies in Bulgaria: 4386 Avtomagistrali Hemus, 4390 Andela Eskana, 4387 Inermat, 4391 Kamuni I Piasak, 4392 Karieri for chakul i piasak-Bulgaria, 4388 MDZ Balsha, 4393 Ognyanovo K, 680 Holcim Karierni Materiali and Holcim Karierni Materiali Plovdiv.

The remit of the association is to support the legal extraction of aggregates; lead the dialogue with the representatives of the local and central authorities; partner the efficient use of natural resources; contribute to environmental protection and work to improve health and safety working conditions at extractive sites.

"Among the priorities of BAPIM are the sustainable development of the regions in which our members operate, implementation of best practices for the production, management and training of our employees," said BAPIM co-president Thomas Guillot.
"We will achieve our goals through development of strong partnerships with different organisations - both on national and international level. The 10 founding companies have invested more than €51million in production, technologies and in creating new jobs over the last three years.

"With more than €8million concession fees collected for 2008, the members of BAPIM contributed more than one-third of the funds, according to the data provided by the 4384 Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. A quarter of the concession fees were transferred to the budgets of the municipalities which makes BAPIM the natural partner for the implementation of Public Private Partnerships' projects together with local communities."

For the launch event, a press conference was organised by the two co-presidents of the national association - Guillot who is executive director of Holcim Karierni Materiali and MDZ Balsha executive director Ivan Bogdanov - and the event was supported by the UEPG general secretariat.

Although the association is newly formed, BAPIM has also applied for UEPG membership. Subject to the approval an UEPG extraordinary delegates' assembly on 30 October, the Bulgarian association will become member of the umbrella organisation for aggregates in Europe. This constitutes an important opportunity for the European aggregates industry to further enlarge its representation in one of the two newest members of the European Union, and to reach out to Bulgarian members of the 1066 European Parliament, especially as Bulgaria is establishing relationships with the EU institutions.

At the meeting, Milena Mihailova was appointed as general secretary of the new association. She joins BAPIM with extensive experience in public relations and public affairs and her first priority will be to build up the new association. In addition, she plans to attend meetings in Brussels at the UEPG office, the European Parliament and the 1022 European Commission.
Since the formation of BAPIM was in its early stages there has been close contact with the UEPG, as an observer, in order to be fully involved with the European issues and opportunities.

BAPIM's membership is open to all companies which follow the regulations and take care of the environment. The association will enlarge its membership base with companies which have good reputation in the market.