President Radev: Bulgaria should use its potential and become an exporter of green hydrogen in the future

From being a natural gas carrier, Bulgaria currently has the potential to become an exporter of energy resources of the future. This can happen if Bulgaria takes a bolder look at the potential green hydrogen production technologies. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in his conclusion speech at the closing of the National Round Table "Innovations - Opportunities for Bulgaria".

The conference brought together representatives of all interested parties, on which the effective and successful development of innovations in our country depends - institutions, scientific and academic circles, as well as Bulgarian innovative enterprises and start-up organizations.

According to Radev, Bulgaria should identify the areas in which it can make a leap in its social development based on innovation, giving the example of the energy and automobile sectors. In terms of energy, we must look much further and from a country that transits natural gas, Bulgaria should become a producer and exporter of energy resources of the future, said the head of state. He pointed to our accumulated capacity and potential to develop technologies related to green hydrogen. "We need to look bolder, further, more perspectively and change our image of ourselves," added Rumen Radev. He pointed out that in the automotive sector, the experience of our country in the production of automotive components can be combined with the capacity in the field of information technologies.

As a "test" for the state in the face of the competent institutions and the administration, President Rumen Radev pointed to the creation of a National Center for Monitoring, Control and Management, which will provide access in an innovative way to real-time information in a number of sectors such as security and defense, transport, ecology, agriculture. The project was proposed by the President's Administration to be included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan and further developed by the caretaker governments. However, there is currently no development for this initiative from the government.

Rumen Radev emphasized that the Presidential institution will continue to provide full support in order to develop the prospects for the development of innovations in our country. We must present our country as a prospective destination for investments in high technology and innovation, the head of state said.

According to the President, with a high level of national ambitions, Bulgaria has the potential to make serious progress in its social development in a number of areas thanks to our human capital, our young talents, the accumulated experience and base in a number of sectors such as education, science, business, technology, innovation.

In his conclusion, the head of state summarized that all participants noted the need for a unified national strategy to build a new model for a viable ecosystem in innovation, in which the role of all parties, especially the state, is clearly foreseen. According to the President, the policy in the field of innovation is a pledge for the social development of our country, because through it the security, well-being, quality of life and standard of people can be increased, as well as regional imbalances can be overcome. This will also lead to solving demographic problems related to the motivation of young talents to stay in our country or to return. "We must develop education, science, innovation and actively attract investments in productions with high added value and high technologies," added Rumen Radev.

Within the forum, Maria Gabriel - European Commissioner for Innovation, Scientific Research, Culture, Education and Youth gave a welcome address. She noted that the conference in Sofia is the first of its kind organized in an EU member state after the presentation of the new European Innovation Program a few days ago in Strasbourg. The new document is based on Europe's competitive advantages, Maria Gabriel emphasized.

Research and development activity and innovation are one of the main tools for overcoming the technological backwardness of our defense and for building modern armed forces adequate to future risks and threats, said the retired Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov, who also participated in the conference. He pointed out that investments in key emerging technologies are a prerequisite for Bulgaria to have combat-ready armed forces, interoperable with its allies.