Third round of consultations between SCIS and the Department for Public Works and Government Services of Canada for signing an industrial security arrangement between the Republic of Bulgaria and Canada

In the period 12-14 February 2014 in Ottawa, Canada third round of consultations with representatives of the Department for Public Works and Government Services of Canada on the signing of industrial security arrangement between the Republic of Bulgaria and Canada were held.

The idea for launching consultations on signing of industrial security arrangement between the two countries arose after expert discussions between representatives of the two countries were carried out within the meeting of the Multinational industrial security working group (MISWG), which was held in Ottawa, Canada in 2009.

As a result of these discussions two rounds of consultations between representatives of the two countries were held in 2010 and 2011, hosted by SCIS. As grounds for the consultations draft arrangement proposed by the Canadian side was used. 

The purpose of the arrangement is to regulate the protection of classified information which will be exchanged by the countries in the context of industrial security. The arrangement is an important prerequisite for the development of the traditionally good bilateral relations with Canada because, on one hand, it will provide opportunities for the participation of Canadian contractors in public procurement procedures of Bulgarian contracting authorities which involve access to classified information, and, on the other hand – Bulgarian contractors will have an opportunity to participate in the execution of classified contracts or contracts involving access to classified information in the Canadian market.

On Bulgarian side Mr. Boris Dimitrov, Chairperson of SCIS, and representatives of Legal and International Legal Affairs Directorate in SCIS attended the consultations.