The traditional XVIII International Scientific Conference of Young Scientists on the Economy of Bulgaria and the European Union: Inflation, Fiscal Consolidation and Sustainable Development under the patronage of the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov was held in the Large Conference Hall.

Prof. Dr. Tatiyna Hubenova-Delisivkova, President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria, Prof. Dr. Rumen Brusarsky, Dean of the Finance and Accounting Faculty, Prof. Dr. Silvia Trifonova, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference and Deputy Dean of the Finance and Accounting Faculty, the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Ilian Chabukliysky, Chairman of the Student Council at UNWE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manyu Moravenov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, Dr. Andrey Ilievsky from the American University, Skopje /from the right to the left/

The Forum is organized by the Finance and Accounting Faculty of UNWE in partnership with the University of Finance, Insurance, Business and Entrepreneurship /VUZF/, University of Bologna, University of Split, University of Rijeka, Poltava University of Economics and Trade, Lutsk National Technical University, Lodz University of Technology, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov opened the event and emphasized: "This conference has become a tradition for our university and it is held for the eighteenth time as a forum for young scientists. It has become an important platform for the discussion of relevant issues, such as the topic The Economy of Bulgaria and the European Union: Inflation, Fiscal Consolidation and Sustainable Development. It is very important for young and experienced scientists to exchange opinions and ideas without the danger of politicizing the topic. The function of economists and economic science is to provide a basis for the right policies and decisions, to help find the right answers in a given context and historical situation. I am confident that the papers and discussions during the Conference will contribute to find solutions to cope with the economic challenges, overcome the effects of rising inflation and outline options for sustainable development".

Prof. Dr. Rumen Brusarsky, Dean of the Finance and Accounting Faculty welcomed the participants in the Forum and noted. “This conference, organized traditionally by our faculty has once again taken the pulse of the times. The inflation and fiscal consolidation in the current environment are among the most significant, most fundamental challenges. Sustainable development is a long-term objective but in the context of these challenges it takes on a certain specificity that deserves attention. I am confident that the reports included in the programme will attract interest and that there will be a respectable public response".

"The Finance and Accounting Faculty has always been close to its students. It is a pleasure for me as Chairman of the the Student Council to attend a conference at such a high level, together with lecturers who wish to develop the potential of our colleagues through such forums", said the Cahirman of the Student Council at UNWE Ilian Chabukliysky and added: "Let today's conference and celebration of the Finance and Accounting Faculty set the beginning of new ideas that will lead to the development of all four areas which will be debated at the Conference".

"It is a pleasure for us to be co-organzers of this forum for the eleventh year. We have a wonderful partnership with the College of the UNWE, which bears its fruits in the form of different scientific production, which is beneficial for our students, and I believe for everyone - for the business and state institutions. I greet all the participants in the Forum. I wish successful conference on behalf of the Rector of VUZF Prof. D.Sc./Law/ Boris Velchev and our academic community. I believe that this will be a very useful forum for all of us", said Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Virginia Zhelyazkova from VUZF.

Prof. Dr. Manyu Moravenov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, also greeted the participants in the Conference and pointed out: "It is a great pleasure for me to be at the University one year after the Bulgarian Stock Exchange and UNWE signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This memorandum bears fruits. There are many students working on various programmes with our market participants, including some of them already work at some of the investment firms attached to the stock exchange. The topic of today's Conference is very interesting. I am sure that many answers to questions of importance for the business development will come by the the universities and by the so it is very important for the business to be close to the universities".

"In the face of the Finance and Accounting Faculty I know an academic community that is highly motivated to create science. I wish you in the future to continue to love science in yourselves and not yourselves in science as well to solve with great dedication those problems in which Bulgaria has to catch up with ideas, to charge the policy and economic development for the benefit of society", said the President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Tatyana Hubenova-Delisivkova and noted: "I am glad that the topic of the Forum is in line with the spirit of the times, because the world is recognizing these issues in a new manner and the very combination of the choices you have made - inflation, fiscal consolidation and sustainable development - shows the readiness of the academic community to provide answers to important civilisational issues that the economic science solves at a contemporary stage".

Dr. Andrey Ilievsky from the American University, Skopje, who is part of the Program Committee of the Conference, also greeted the participants. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Forum and outlined that the topic is extremely relevant and young scientists are the pioneers of innovation. According to Dr. Andrey Ilievsky the innovation is the key to the success of the economies in the region and the work of the Conference will contribute a lot to the development of science in this direction.

This event has become a truly significant international university forum. And as the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov said this Conference is a trademark of the University and the Finance and Accounting Faculty. More than 50 participants from various universities in the country and abroad participate in the current edition. I am particularly proud that we have participants in both Master's and Bachelor's degrees and I welcome the representatives of VUZF, St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, Neofit Rilsky Southwestern University, Blagoevgrad and various financial and economic institutions", said Prof. Dr. Sylvia Trifonova, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference and Vice Dean of the Finance and Accounting Faculty.

On behalf of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Atanasov, Chairman of the National Statistical Institute /NSI/, Greeting Address to the Forum was delivered by Dr. Svilen Kolev, Deputy Chairman of NSI. Greetings to the participants were also addressed by Prof. Dr. Tanya Yosifova, Chairman of the Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Industrial Association Chamber and Angel Kraychev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Bulgaria /ICPA/.

The organizers and participants in the Conference also received numerous greeting addresses from partner universities, state institutions, business and NGO representatives.

The Conference continued with papers and discussions on thematic areas with accents on the Financial Policy, Financial Markets, Banking, Investments, Insurance and Social Security, Accounting Policy and Practice, Accounting Standards, Financial Audit, Control Systems and Internal Control, Research and Science, Research and Development, Science-Business Link, Innovation, Competitiveness, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Management, Marketing, Corporate Control and Business Development in Bulgaria, in the EU and Globally.