NEWS

Detailed information on how Bulgarian companies can participate in tenders for supplies of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent has been provided at a workshop arranged by Bulgarian Red Cross.
Representatives of more than 30 Bulgarian companies have participated in the workshop, initiated by Associated Professor Dr. Daniela Bobeva of the Economic Studies Institute of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

At the opening of the workshop the Chairman of BRC Hristo Grigorov thanked Bulgarian companies for their outstanding support and involvement in a situation of more frequent disastrous situations and increasing number of people needing help and support.

The activity of Bulgarian Red Cross in case of disasters and crises has been presented to the audience, as well as good practices of social engagement of corporate partners.

Representatives of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria, Nestle and Matstar have shared their experience in the implementation of corporate social responsibility programs and their good practice of partnership with BRC in case of natural disasters and crises.

Selma Bernardi of Global Logistics and Procurement Department of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent who has arrived especially for the event as a representative of the central office in Geneva, presented to the participants in the workshop the terms and conditions which local companies wishing to bid in the Federation procedures in case of humanitarian actions in case of crises should meet. The presentation as expected sparked the interest of the representatives of businesses. Many specific questions have been asked in the course of discussions related to the application procedure for supplies by the IFRC/RC in disastrous situations. “To become suppliers of the International Federation of Red Cross/ Red Crescent and to be called for international tenders, Bulgarian companies should register on the Internet site of the organization. Upon providing the required information their capacities will be evaluated and they will be registered or will be rejected”, Mrs. Bernardi explained. She underlined that in every tender, in addition to already existing suppliers, some new potential ones shall be called upon, which is a good chance for Bulgarian businesses.

People from BRC undertook the obligation to provide partnering companies with any information available to them about existing international tenders. Everybody agreed to the idea that BRC is an organization which not only calls upon for support in case of humanitarian crises but is also an actual partner to the businesses promoting the opportunities for Bulgarian business structures to bid in tender procedures for humanitarian operations.