The rector of Sofia University, Prof. Anastas Gerdzhikov, PhD, and the director of the Customs Agency, Pavel Gerenski, signed a cooperation agreement between the two institutions. The event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Assoc. Dr. Atanas Georgiev, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and Head of the Department of Economics, Assoc. Dr. Dimitar Zlatinov and the director of the master's program “Customs and Tax Control” Ch. Assist. Dr. Tsvetan Madanski.

Pavel Gerenski noted that the priority for the Agency is to increase the qualifications of the employees, and therefore the partnership with Sofia University is extremely important and valuable and is about to develop. Prof. Gerdzhikov agreed that there is perspective in the initiative and pointed out that the colleagues in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration are very active and the faculty is the right place to start the cooperation between the two institutions.

The agreement will contribute to the development of a fruitful exchange of knowledge and ideas between academia, business and government institutions. Various joint activities are planned to be organized and carried out: creation of training programs for employees of the Customs Agency at the Center for Educational Services of Sofia University; conducting an Academy for Taxes and Customs, etc. The Academy is held annually by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and is listed as a good practice by the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in an international survey.

It is planned to support the quality of training of the employees of the Customs Agency by organizing public lectures and discussions and other initiatives of joint interest, as well as updating the curricula of the disciplines taught in the master's programs of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, according to the needs of the Customs Agency, including the introduction of new courses and specialisations.

According to the agreement, post-graduate qualification and continuing education of the Agency's employees is foreseen; of joint events, trainings, workshops, courses, competitions and other initiatives of common interest. Employees of the Customs Agency will participate in presentations to students, in lectures, seminars, conferences, meetings, etc., dedicated to customs control and legislation in the conditions of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Lecturers and other representatives of the Faculty of Economics will participate in expertise, consultations, statistical and other studies and events organized by the Customs Agency, and students from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration will be informed about student internships and public activities of the Customs Agency.