Over twenty Austrian investors are taking part in a meeting organized by the Vienna Economic Forum in Pleven (North Central Bulgaria), BTA reported.

"The purpose of the dialog is to share our experience so as to help avoid any mistakes in the work of the Bulgarian municipalities looking for approaches to overcome regional problems," Dr Erhard Bussek, President of the Board of the Vienna Economic Forum, said at the opening of the meeting. The Forum was set up in 2004 and its members are 12 countries, mainly situated in the Balkans.

"Bulgaria, as a member of the EU, has a lot of opportunities to access a lot of money but the problem is how to use it," Bussek said. It is good that the European commission is not only critical but suggests ways of setting things right, he said.

In his words, Austrian has gained a lot of experience in the management of regional funds, and the participants in the Pleven meeting will be familiarized with it by leading experts.

In conclusion, Bussek said that Austria's proposals are aimed to improve the quality of life in Bulgarian municipalities.

More than 25 municipal mayors accepted the invitation to attend the Pleven meeting.

Discussions focus on the opportunities to use the practice-oriented advice provided by Austrian experts for better and faster absorption of financial resources extended from the
structural funds.

On Tuesday, Bulgarian participants in the event will meet Austrian investors.

Dr Elena Kircheva, SG of the Vienna Economic Forum, pointed out that the Pleven meeting is the first one devoted to regional problems that is organized outside Vienna and outside the capitals of the member states.