On 19 February 2024, the Association of Bulgarian Insurers (ABZ) presented the analytical report “Insurance in Bulgaria – Economic Footprint and Development Challenges” at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). The event was attended by students from the “Insurance and Social Policy” and “Human Resource Economics” degree programs. Guest speakers were Plamen Shinov, Deputy Chair of the ABZ Management Board, and Nina Kolchakova, Secretary General of ABZ.
Strengthening Academia–Industry Cooperation
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valeri Apostolov, Head of the Department of Human Resources and Social Protection, informed the students that in December 2023, a memorandum of cooperation had been signed between ABZ and UNWE. The agreement provides for joint initiatives to support student learning, including public lectures, discussions, and internship opportunities at insurance companies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Galina Dimitrova, Scientific Secretary of the Department, highlighted the importance of the partnership between ABZ and UNWE as a model of effective education–business collaboration. She praised ABZ’s significant role in the development of the Bulgarian insurance market and its continued efforts to raise insurance literacy in society.
Insights from the Report: Insurance’s Role in the Bulgarian Economy
Plamen Shinov welcomed the students and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many young people interested in the insurance sector. He introduced the report as a useful resource for their academic development. The report was prepared by the Institute for Market Economics at the request of ABZ to mark the 140th anniversary of insurance in Bulgaria and the 30th anniversary of ABZ. It is featured in ABZ’s anniversary edition.
The publication consists of two parts:
Nina Kolchakova expressed appreciation to the department for the invitation and provided an overview of the study’s findings. She emphasized that this is the first research of its kind in Bulgaria and offers a broad and objective picture of the sector’s role in the economy, the impact of state regulation, and both direct and indirect effects of insurance on national development. She noted that the study provides a valuable foundation for policymaking across a wide range of social, economic, and demographic areas.
Student Engagement and Open Discussion
Following the presentation, Plamen Shinov and Nina Kolchakova engaged in a lively discussion with the students, addressing key issues such as:
Students expressed strong interest in these topics, with Veselina Sergееva, a student of “Insurance and Social Policy,” thanking both the department and ABZ on behalf of all attendees. She noted that the lecture had been “extremely interesting and valuable.”
This event further reinforced ABZ’s commitment to supporting academic education, promoting insurance awareness, and fostering the next generation of insurance professionals through meaningful cooperation with universities.
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