Balgarianovinite.com Trust in institutions as a prerequisite for economic growth, contemporary geopolitical challenges and energy security were among the topics discussed at a meeting in Parliament between Deputy Parliament Chair Ivan Angelov and economist James Smith, the National Assembly press office said on Friday.
Smith, an American economist, energy economics expert and lecturer at Southern Methodist University in Texas, is visiting Sofia to participate in the Strategic Financial Forum 2026.
During the meeting, Angelov said Bulgaria has the potential to play an active role in the economic and technological processes shaping Europe’s future. He pointed to the country’s strategic geographic location, highly qualified specialists and strong traditions in engineering and technological sciences as key advantages.
According to Angelov, economic growth today depends on the ability to attract investment, create highly skilled jobs and develop modern infrastructure. However, he stressed that this also requires citizens and businesses to have confidence in institutions, adding that Parliament would work to increase public trust through its activities.
Angelov underlined that constructive dialogue between the state, businesses, academia and the financial sector is among the key conditions for Bulgaria’s long-term success.
The crisis involving Iran and its impact on global markets and the world economy was also a focus of the discussion. Angelov and Smith agreed that energy security is a key factor for stability and growth.
At the opening of the Strategic Financial Forum 2026 on Thursday, Stanley Gyoshev of the Business School at University of Exeter said Bulgaria’s geographical position as a bridge between East and West, its strong IT talent base and alignment with the European regulatory framework create opportunities for the country’s fintech sector.
Gyoshev also noted the willingness of more than 50 internationally recognized Bulgarian professors to contribute their expertise towards developing Bulgaria into one of the world’s leading financial centres. Deputy Parliament Chair Angelov and Economist James Smith Discuss Trust in Institutions as Driver of Economic Growth 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-05-22 14:28:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law