Minister Pulev: The government has decided to establish the first profiled economic zone in our country

Bulgaria has made great progress in the automotive industry in a very short time and with this decision we are responding to the increased demand from various companies, emphasized the Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov.

Today the government decided to create a new economic zone near Sofia. This is the first zone in Bulgaria that will be profiled to serve one of the most basic priority segments in the Bulgarian economy - the automotive industry and all related industries. This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Alexander Pulev at a joint briefing with the Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov in the Council of Ministers. The occasion was the decision to set aside a new economic zone near Sofia, to be built on the site of the former military airport in the village of Dobroslavtsi. The aim is to attract strategic investors in the automotive sector, due to its potential and contribution to the overall economic progress of Bulgaria. For the purpose of managing the zone, a subsidiary company will be created, which will be part of "National Company Industrial Zones" EAD.

"The zone will cover an area of 290 hectares and will be located 15 km. from the ideal center of the capital", Minister Pulev also announced, pointing out the size of the area with over 200 football pitches. According to him, the zone will be home to clean production that will meet all good European practices and the needs of the people in the region. The minister pointed out that the construction of road and railway infrastructure, as well as all necessary facilities for the purposes of investors, is pending. The investment also provides for the construction of social infrastructure - green areas, bike lanes, charging stations for electric cars will be provided, it became clear during the briefing.

"In recent months, we have been in a very active dialogue with a number of investors from Europe, the Middle East, Asia with a focus on the "Automotive" sector and all related industries. We are talking about projects that range from 1.5 billion euros to 3 billion euros and which will change the face of the Bulgarian economy, which will create thousands of jobs. We are currently in the final stages of negotiations," added the Minister of Innovation and Growth.

According to him, many people have asked him the question why Bulgaria has not attracted a large international investor in the "Production" sector, and the answer for him was clear - because we did not have quality infrastructure and professionally designated locations and terrains for the purpose. "We already have, thanks to the work of the Service Cabinet, we have taken the main and decisive step in this direction. We succeeded with unity, with a very clear vision, with a very clear strategy and priorities, starting from the level of the president, the prime minister and all the ministers who participated in the creation of a working group in recent months, and reaching our excellent interaction with representatives of local authorities.” Pulev pointed out.

"We will not stop there, we have set all prospects to create two more similar economic zones - in southern and northern Bulgaria," Pulev also announced.

"With this action, we are giving a clear signal that the state is prioritizing a specific sector of our economy at the national level. Bulgaria has made great progress in the automotive industry in a very short time, and with this decision we are responding to the increased demand from various companies," emphasized the Minister of Economy and Industry, Nikola Stoyanov. According to him, 300 companies work in the sector, providing over 67,000 jobs, and today 80% of car sensors in Europe are produced in Bulgaria.

Minister Stoyanov explained that the creation of a new subsidiary, which will be subordinated to the "National Industrial Zones Company" EAD (NIZC), is about to be created, which will manage and develop the newly formed economic zone. "We want to use the accumulated expertise of NIZC in the management and development of similar areas, but at the same time we will give operationality to the new structure in order to be as flexible as possible and to guarantee its sectoral specialization," Nikola Stoyanov also pointed out.