LAUNCHING OF CLUB DIPLOMATIC AND BUSINESS IN SOFIA

Residence of the Ambassador, Sofia, 29 May 2009

On May 29, diplomats and businessmen gathered at the residence of the Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang, to establish the Club Diplomatic and Business (CBD) in Sofia. Founders from Bulgarian business in the club were Mr. Krassimir Guergov, President of the Bulgarian Golf Association (BGA); Mr. Kancho Stoychev, Vice President of BGA; Dr. Kiril Kalev, Bulgaria’s former Ambassador to Austria; and Mr. Seth Underwood, Secretary General of BGA. The other founders representing the diplomatic missions in Bulgaria were Ambassador Inkiriwang, Ambassador Tsuneharu Takeda (Japan), Ambassador Martin Klepetko (Czech Republic), and Ambassador Karol Mistrik (Slovakia).

 The club is established to be a forum where Bulgarian businessmen and the Ambassadors could meet with a view to enhance economic cooperation between Bulgaria and the countries represented by the Ambassadors. This club is not only a golf club although many of the activities would be done through golf. Other future events will include activities such as outdoor activities, business seminars and joint events with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. Mr. Krassimir Guergov was elected President of the club, and Dr. Kiril Kalev as Vice President. Ambassador Inkiriwang was named Honorary President, while Ambassador Thomas Feller (Switzerland) and Ambassador Martin Klepetko (Czech Republic) were elected as the club's Honorary Vice Presidents. CDB is patterned after the similar club in Vienna, Club Diplomatik und Wirkschaft (CDW). The launching of the CDB was also attended by the Chairman of CDW, Mr. Josef Vuzem, and the Secretary of CDW, Mrs. Angelica Vuzem.

The first activity of the Club, the CDB Golf Tournament, was sponsored by the Bulgarian Golf Association and BMW Bulgaria, where BMW provided the trophies and supported the official dinner. BMW also held a test drive of its cars prior to the tournament. In addition BMW offered special price of its cars for diplomats. General Manager of BMW Bulgaria, Mr. Alexander Milanov, also attended the establishment of CDB.