BULGARIANS GIVE VIEWS OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM, CULTURE, COMMODITIES

The dozen Bulgarians who visited Southeast Missouri for three weeks left for home Thursday with new views of American capitalism, culture and commodities.

The new exchange program in which they participated was established to shed light on the nuts and bolts of business development and operations for the visitors. The concept of capitalism and entrepreneurship is alien to Bulgaria and other eastern bloc countries since the demise of communism in 1989. The visitors here are involved with various enterprises in Bulgaria and wanted to see first-hand how similar businesses in America start and operate.

"You cannot imagine the risk involved to start a private business there," said Hristo Mantchev, 40, who has started a small computer company. (See accompanying story.) "We have been working for 45 years with no private companies. There is a massive rush to start businesses now. But it's an economic risk. The legislation for it has not passed yet."

Nickifor Neddev, 46, general manager of a glassware plant, said American businesses have basic legislation in place that provides stability to business people and their businesses. A new constitution is being formulated now in Bulgaria and new parliament members will be elected in September.

The troupe was here for an international business seminar sponsored by the Center for International Studies at Southeast Missouri State University and the Independent Cultural Institute of Sofia, Bulgaria.

The economy of Bulgaria is in "hard times" now, according to the two men. With the change in government from communism, the nation's 9 million people are faced with excessive interest rates, sharply reduced production and an undersupply of raw materials. Petroleum supplies have been curtailed since the Persian Gulf War, since most of the fuel originated from Iraq.

Production at Neddev's factory is diminished since stockpiles are at a high level and customers are not ordering more bottles and jars. "We need to change and develop our export trade," he said. "Enough smart people are in Bulgaria to decide how to correct the economy's problems. But we shall pay for the last two years. We have lost all this time."

Menchev pointed out three main factors crippling their economy. He cites the government transition, high interest rate for loans, and excessive national taxes. An export tax chokes businesses attempting to grow by utilizing international trade.

Both men agree American capitalism could work in Bulgaria, but only with changes to adapt it. Neppev said many entrepreneurs have had false hopes of making large profits in a short time. He said, "Now there are 75,000 new businesses since the government overturn in 1989. Most say they favor capitalism but have no real concept of it."

Both concur that the delegation was encouraged by what they experienced here. Mantchev, a former office worker in a government institute, said they could envision the possibilities of the individual person in society and business, contrasted to being another cog in the gear as a government employee.

Manchev was impressed by the spirit of the American people he has met. "I've encountered many warm-hearted people who have been very friendly. European people are not so amiable with each other, and are very busy."

Both said future programs of this nature could be better for the participants if they were allowed more time with businesses similar to their own, rather than concentrating on broad, general overviews.