Reminiscences of Bulgaria's Commercial Scene in the 60s

by Bruce Beharell

Bruce Beharell was a British businessman who spent a few years living and working in Bulgaria in the early 60s. He was the first commercial representative of a British company in Bulgaria after the WWII.

“It was certainly a time in those early years of communism when you had to compartmentalise your brain into the external communications and the inner workings on what you observed if you were to survive and prosper. We were encouraged every few weeks to briefly exit to either Turkey or Greece, so that you could restore your balance by allowing the two halves to again talk together.

I still remember with affection the many Bulgarian friends we made and the genuine hospitality we enjoyed in spite of the political differences.” – Bruce Beharell

Shell International decided to post a member of staff to their Bulgaria representative office (Pirin) in the early 60’s to cover both Bulgaria and Romania. I took the job, apparently as the first commercial representative of a British company since the war and moved there to a small but comfortable apartment in Sofia with my wife and baby son.

Overall I have very warm memories of the period in spite of the prevailing communist atmosphere. One remained apolitical (indeed extensive bugging demanded that) and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Bulgarian commercial scene including the oil, chemicals and shipping industry, as well as agriculture. There are fond memories of skiing up the Vitosha mountain, enjoying Borovetz, Varna, Bourgas and the Rila monastery as well indeed as Plovdiv. Personal relations were very good even at that time, although one had to ration time with Bulgarian friends for their own preservation.

An early understanding of the system was gained in attempting to purchase a hacksaw for urgent repairs from a major store in Sofia. The hacksaw purchase took one hour (identify, purchase then pay), but on visiting the top floor I was told that all hacksaw blades under the current 5-year plan had been sold and I had to wait two years until the start of the next! As a businessman, I quickly appreciated the system was not viable long-term, but diplomatically (and survival-wise) kept this to myself.

During my term, the Neftochim UK representative was ordered out for spying activities. The British Commercial Counsellor was reciprocally ordered to leave Bulgaria. He was quite nonplussed when we spoke, as he strongly felt that I should have been the victim! Interesting times.