Atanas Urdzhanov is among the most influential figures in the food industry in our country. A practitioner with high R&D expertise with over 25 years of experience in implementing solutions and managing processes and plans in production structures.
He is a representative of the food industry in key expert groups. Urdzhanov is Deputy Chairman of the National Food Council at the Ministry of Agriculture, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, winner of the award “Honorary Professor of Practice“ of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Deputy Chairman of the Bureau of the Council of Industry Organizations at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a member of the Board of the food company “Bella Bulgaria“.
“We have managed to remain the only industry organization uniting companies from the meat industry in the country. This is the result of 31 years of consistent work“, commented Urdzhanov, who was elected for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term as Chairman of the Association of Meat Processors in Bulgaria (AMB).
Under his leadership, over the past nine years, the organization has not only represented the interests of its members before institutions, it has built bridges of trust within the industry and is increasingly closer to consumers in our country and abroad.
“We have proven that we are the voice of the Bulgarian meat processor – a voice that is heard and respected,“ shares Urdzhanov. In his words, the association is not just a representative body, but a working partner.
Over the past nine years, AMB has established itself as a successful model for achieving shared success. The “Days of Bulgarian Meat“ initiative was created and developed, which has become a traditional event during the largest specialized exhibition for meat and meat products in Bulgaria “Mesomania“. Through tastings, demonstrations, information campaigns and media presence, AMB promotes Bulgarian meat products and fights the myths surrounding meat consumption. It actively works to popularize the traditional Bulgarian food culture. A particularly important priority during these years was the support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which built an environment of trust, sharing and cooperation between member companies. AMB uses the expertise of its large member enterprises and turns it into a driver for expanding the market expansion of domestic meat products in foreign markets. During Urdzhanov's current fourth term at the helm of AMB, the organization is working towards sustainable development and an even stronger connection with the consumer. "Sustainability is no longer a choice, but a necessity - and we are ready to turn it into a competitive advantage," Urdzhanov commented. In his words, the Bulgarian meat processing industry must become more competitive, more innovative, more attractive to young people. The way is through support for the implementation of innovations, new technologies, automation and digitalization by actively ensuring access to financing for modernization, including through European programs.
„We will continue to actively work towards creating and developing partnerships aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy and strengthening the image of Bulgarian meat products“, Urdzhanov summarizes regarding the current priorities of the AMB.