The CEO of Fibank, Mr. Nikola Bakalov, presented the "Golden Martenitsa" award for female entrepreneurship to Ms. Maria Tsvetkova - an inspiring example of success, traditions and innovations.
Her inn "Momchilovski Tayni" turns the village of Momchilovtsi into an attractive center for tourists from all over the world, and in addition to promoting traditional specialties from the Rhodope region, she also works actively for the cultural poster of her community.
Part of her family business is the production of her own brand of tea “Planinski rai”.
“I have the honor and pleasure to present an award for female entrepreneurship to an exceptional lady who is an inspiring example of dedication, perseverance and love for her native land. With inspiration, hard work and passion, she proves that successful business is above all an opportunity to contribute to the development of the people around you. For her, entrepreneurship is a mission – to preserve traditions and breathe new life into them”, shared Mr. Bakalov.
First Investment Bank (Fibank) is the largest bank with Bulgarian capital in the country and one of the most actively supporting Bulgarian business and the development of entrepreneurship. The Women's Entrepreneurship Award is a natural continuation of the initiative that Fibank is developing with its Smart Lady program. In the seven years since its establishment, it has helped over 1,200 women with start-up businesses or existing companies with ambitions for development. The funding allocated to date under it amounts to 138 million leva. It surpasses its initial start and grows into a comprehensive platform where, in addition to access to financing, women can find like-minded people, mentoring sessions and training, and in general everything necessary for the development of a successful business.
Fibank is a long-standing partner of the "Made in Bulgaria" association. The two organizations have been successfully partnering for more than 13 years to help people who have embarked on the path of organizing real production of goods and services to prove themselves on the market every day in competition with the whole of Europe, and increasingly beyond. The award ceremony “Golden Martenitsa” has over 3 decades of history, and its main goal is to promote good examples in Bulgarian production and services and increase their competitiveness at the local and global level. The annual prize is inspired by the unique Bulgarian custom "Decorating with Martenitsa", as a wish for well-being and health.