On the occasion of three decades of existence and successful operations, the President of the Economic Chamber, Branko Azeski, paid a working visit to the management of KAM. The discussions focused on the challenges faced by the company as one of the leading business entities in the retail trade sector, measured by several indicators, including number of employees, investments, turnover, low margins, and expansion into new markets outside the country, among others.

President Azeski emphasized that KAM’s membership is of particular importance to the Chamber, as the company continuously raises issues related to business development through chamber-based initiatives. Retail trade is a vital activity in the country’s economic landscape, generating turnover cycles across many other sectors of the economy. The discussions also placed strong emphasis on the importance of the fundamental parameters of living and economic activity, such as the market economy, legal certainty, fair competition, suppression of the grey economy, and the digitalization of processes, which form the basis for efficient business operations.

Within the broader economic context, Azeski noted that over the past 35 years since the country’s independence, the business sector has grown significantly, while state institutions lack the capacity and ability to keep pace with this development. For this reason, he stated, and as confirmed in discussions with the Government, a consensus has been reached that domestic companies should be given priority over foreign ones in public procurement procedures for various types of services and products, based on formulas applied in other countries. He also stressed the need to rationalize the public sector, which employs a large number of workers but has exceptionally low productivity, and to reduce the share of social transfers in the budget in favor of increased development and investment programs.

At the meeting, it was concluded that large companies should be recognized by the state to a much greater extent, which has not been the case for years and even decades, despite the fact that large business entities are closely linked to a substantial number of small firms and serve as the foundation for their survival.

The KAM Group operates a network of 86 retail outlets in the country, has its own distribution center, employs more than 1,500 people, and also operates 25 retail outlets in Bulgaria. The most significant challenges facing the company include a shortage of workforce, as well as a series of systemic legislative issues, for which KAM has proposed concrete solutions.

As part of the visit, on the occasion of KAM’s 30^th anniversary, President Azeski presented the company’s management with a Certificate of Recognition for Dedication, Success and Development.