[2] BDB is majority owned by the Republic of Bulgaria, and has a public-interest mandate to finance projects of regional and national importance, to encourage the growth of export oriented companies, to assist small and medium enterprises to compete internationally, and to promote sustainable development.

[6] BDB was established on 11 March 1999 as a joint stock company intending to promoting economic and social development in Bulgaria.

In 2012, BDB launched a 100 million euro financing facility in Bulgaria to improve SME competitiveness and stimulate lending to SMEs.

Under the Partners Initiative, BDB industry sector consultants were appointed to handle financial and loan questions from the organisations' member firms and national coverage was ensured by the establishment of a mobile team.

[8] Under the Local Representatives Program, the bank has reached agreements with business centres in all six planning regions of Bulgaria and in 29 larger cities.