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Summary
Following extensive research which covered aspects such as
climate and weather patterns, rainfall, irrigation
potential, soil types, inherent plant husbandry skills,
communication resources, roads, electricity and available
human resources, Greyfriars Bulgaria EOOD arrived at the
conclusion that Bulgaria would be an ideal country in
which to launch its new garlic production venture.
On the basis of a more detail investigation it was
established that Tundja district , in the eastern part of
the country could well become the garlic production centre
of Bulgaria and, in due course, could become one of the
most important centers of production in Europe.
On this basis, Greyfriars Bulgaria is proceeding with an
investment and development program which will lead to the
realization of its commercial ambition and corporate
responsibilities as a leading fresh produce supplier to UK
supermarkets.
Employment
As garlic is a highly labor intensive crop, the Greyfriars
Bulgaria venture will have a major impact on job creation
in the area. This impact will manifest itself in two ways.
Firstly there will be an impact on the satellite growers
and their families. These people will have known jobs,
known crops, optimum yields, manageable production areas
and known markets at known prices. These are all sound
precursors to a solid and secure business. Whilst it is
difficult to convert this data and sentiment in to job
equivalents it may be possible to derive an acceptable
formula based on average incomes and farm output.
In all it is anticipated that in the first year of
commercial operation a total of 183 new job equivalents
will be created.
Corporate Citizenship
Greyfriars as a company maintains the very highest
standards of ethical trading and conforms with all
European regulations in this regard. Indeed it usually
exceeds expectations and Bulgaria will be no exception.
Greyfriars will set aside funds for community benefit and
has already committed itself to offer computers to the
village council and school, refrigerators to the school
and clinic and proposes to initiate and completely fund a
waste recycling scheme for the village benefit. Moreover
it will actively seek other worthy causes to support, be
they from official Council channels or through
representations made by individuals with good ideas.
Outcomes
Greyfriars believes confidently that its proposal to
establish a centre of excellence for garlic production in
the Tundja district area has all the ingredients for
success.
Such success would not only lead to significant new farm
opportunities, 183 new job equivalents, the contribution
of Leva 730,000 to the local community, export earnings of
Leva 2 million and the wholesale community benefits both
in kind and sentiment but the project will represent a
beacon for other like minded companies which recognize the
opportunities Bulgaria represents.
It is anticipated that within a decade the whole of the
Tundja district area could become a thriving horticultural
area offering full employment, improving standards of
living and significant export earnings – which is
everything the European Union wishes for Tundja district
and the country as a whole. |
This is how it all started
Sep 2006, New Mills House
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