Mariya Filipova, Deputy Chairperson of the Financial Supervision Commission, Head of the Investment Supervision Department, participates in the launching of a think tank for sustainable finance and energy – Green Finance & Energy Centre

This week the official start of the first and only think tank for sustainable finance and energy in Bulgaria – Green Finance & Energy Centre. The Green Centre was established on the initiative of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX) and is realized with the support of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, the Financial Supervision Commission and the Fund of Funds.

A symbolic start to the activities of the Green Centre was given through the digital signing of the Charter for Sustainable Economic Development of Bulgaria.

Ms. Mariya Filipova, Deputy Chairperson of the Financial Supervision Commission, Head of the Investment Supervision Department, welcomed the partners and participants in the project, saying that “we are all committed to the cause of working actively for the development of the capital market, to strive for sustainable growth and build a climate-neutral economy in the long run.”

In her presentation, Ms. Filipova stressed that “the basis for balanced and fruitful interaction between the regulator, corporate management, shareholders and other stakeholders is respect for the rights and obligations of all market participants.” She called for responsible decision-making and focus on working to ensure favourable conditions for achieving sustainable growth and achieving common long-term goals, as well as establishing transparent and fair relationships between all participants in the capital market.

The Green Centre is a NGO – think tank for sustainable finance and energy. The Centre creates policies in the fields of sustainable finance and energy, leads the public debate and formulates specific solutions on these issues in the country.

Although 83.9% of companies assess the level of their policies above average, over 41% of them lack information and 37.5% of companies report as an important problem the lack of codes and methodological documents with a practical focus. This became evident from the study of the environment from the aspects of ecology, social responsibility and good corporate governance (the so-called ESG practices – Environmental, Social, Governance) – made by VUZF Lab on behalf of the BSE among 56 companies from 7 economic sectors. The study was presented by Prof. Virzhinia Zhelyazkova – Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality at the Higher School of Insurance and Finance.

Mr. Manyu Moravenov and Mr. Konstantin Konstantinov, Executive Directors of the BSE and IBEX presented the mission, goals and first initiatives to be taken by the Green Centre. These include raising awareness among businesses, upgrading the code of good corporate governance with aspects of environmental development and social responsibility, creating a stock exchange Green Index to encourage companies to implement ESG practices, and to distinguish those who do so in the best way.

Special guests of the event were Marinela Petrova – Deputy Minister of Finance, Zhecho Stankov – Deputy Minister of Energy, and Aleksandar Georgiev – Executive Director of the Fund of Funds.

The views of Europe and the world on sustainable finance and energy were provided by Eva Maidel, Member of the European Parliament, and Anthony Miller, Chief Coordinator of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative.

More information about Green Finance & Energy Centre – www.gfecentre.org

Mariya Filipova, Deputy Chairperson of the Financial Supervision Commission, Head of the Investment Supervision Department, participates in a BSE initiative in support of women’s leadership on the occasion of International Women’s Day

The Deputy Chairperson of the Financial Supervision Commission, Head of the Investment Supervision Department, took part in “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality”, an international initiative dedicated to the celebration of International Women’s Day – March 8. The women’s management team of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) and Ms. Mariya Filipova, a representative of the leadership team of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC), started the stock exchange session today.

„Today we have the opportunity to recognize the important role of modern women in a professional aspect. Women contribute with their unique leadership style, with their care for the teams they lead in a crisis and with the achievements measurable in various areas of life. What is specific about the non-banking financial sector in Bulgaria is that it has the important task and responsibility to develop the capital market in the digital age, and the participation of women in implementation and management will undoubtedly contribute to more communication, innovation and partnership.” Mariya Filipova.

The grand opening of the stock exchange session was attended by Hristina Pendicheva – state expert in the Ministry of Finance and member of the Board of Directors of the BSE and Vasil Golemanski, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the BSE.

“We are proud of the strong representation of women at all levels of the stock exchange. The fact that it operates seamlessly and successfully during a pandemic is also reflected in the values of respect for diversity and gender equality that are fundamental to us. In this regard, we believe that we are a good example to follow,” said Vasil Golemanski, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the BSE.

The initiative is being held for the seventh time and this year covers more than 90 exchanges worldwide. Its current edition is entitled „Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” in honour of women leaders and women’s organizations who demonstrate their knowledge, skills and qualities to lead effectively in the recovery of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSE Initiative), of which the BSE is a member, the UN Global Compact, UN Women and Women in ETFs (WE) , in order to promote gender equality in the field of capital markets.

Mariya Filipova – Deputy Chairperson of the FSC, Head of the Investment Supervision Department participates in the BSE awards for excellent performance at the examinations organized by the FSC for brokers and investment advisers

Today, a ceremony was held to award the most successful candidates for the qualification exams for brokers of financial instruments and investment advisers, organized by the FSC. Deyan Ivanov, Kristiyana Savova and Panayot Poshtov were awarded diplomas and financial incentives from the Bulgarian Stock Exchange as part of the long-term educational program of the Exchange – BSE Advance. The special ceremony was attended by Ms. Mariya Filipova – Deputy Chairperson of the FSC, who congratulated the three winners for their excellent results with the following words:

“I am certain that the reason for your success today is diligent preparation, which is a manifestation of your thirst for knowledge and the pursuit of self-improvement. Every obstacle overcome on the path of professional development sets the stage for new, higher and intriguing challenges. From now on, you will confirm to yourself and your colleagues and friends that the successful passing of exams and obtaining a certificate are not an end in themselves, but an expression of high professional capacity, which can and should be used to upgrade the environment in which we live and work. I wish you will meet the challenges successfully, remembering that professional ethics requires you to always put the interests of customers who rely on you before your own. The trust you gain will increase over time, and the more trust there is between the individual participants, the more will grow the trust and attractiveness the financial services market. Remember that the development of this market depends on each participant and their responsible behaviour. The experience gained over the years will inevitably lead to you being approached more and more often for advice and assistance, which is a cause for well-deserved satisfaction. I hope you will achieve new higher peaks in your academic and career development!”

On behalf of the organizer of the event, the Executive Director of the BSE – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manyu Moravenov, congratulated the young experts on their success and expressed his conviction that “they are the best example for all others who see their future in the capital market in Bulgaria.”

Official guests of the event were Mrs. Radoslava Maslarska – President of the Bulgarian Association of Licensed Investment Intermediaries (BALII) and Mr. Petko Krastev – President of the Bulgarian Association of Asset Management Companies (BAAMC).