The potential of regional capital markets to drive economic growth was a key topic at the Investor Finance Forum 2024, held in partnership with the Bulgarian Stock Exchange.
Ivana Gazic, CEO of the Zagreb Stock Exchange, discussed Croatia’s investment growth following its adoption of the euro. “After implementing the euro, part of Croatia’s bank reserves were released and directed to the market,” she said. This change has contributed to making Croatia’s economy the fastest-growing within the European Union. For 2024, Croatia’s GDP growth is projected at 3.5%.
Remus Danila, Director of Business Development at the Bucharest Stock Exchange, spoke about Romania’s strategy for exchange development until 2026. “Various programs are being implemented, including issuing government bonds to individual investors,” he stated. Romania raised EUR 2 billion from bond sales in August this year and hosted Europe’s largest IPO in 2023.
The Bulgarian Stock Exchange emphasized two major market drivers: BEAM, which stimulates small and medium-sized companies, and EuroBridge Segment in cooperation with Deutsche Borse. This segment targets large companies interested in dual listing in Sofia and on XETRA at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
During the forum, a second discussion focused on opportunities for Bulgarian companies to grow through capital markets. The panel included Nikolai Martinov from IMPETUS Capital, Kosta Jordanov from Wiser Technology – Bianor, Dimitar Dimitrov from Shelly Group, and Vladimir Dzhidzhishev from Global Gaming Solutions.
