Minister Stoicheva: MIG supports the development of the Thrace Economic Zone as a hub for investment, innovation and education of the future

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) supports the development of the Thrace Economic Zone (TEZ) as a hub for investment, innovation and education of the future and the development of the potential of the Plovdiv region as an innovation valley. This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoicheva, during her visit to the Thrace Economic Zone.

Within the framework of the working visit, Minister Stoycheva got acquainted with the development of TEZ and the Carbon-Neutral Industrial Park (CNIP) - Maritsa. Good practices in the implementation of the Investment Promotion Law and financing opportunities under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan were also discussed.

The Minister of Innovation and Growth also visited the electrical circuit breaker plant of Schneider Electric near Plovdiv, known as the "Smart Factory". The meeting was attended by the regional governor of Plovdiv Iliya Zyumbilev, the executive director of the Trakia Economic Zone Eng. Plamen Panchev and representatives of the Plovdiv Municipality. Minister Stoicheva discussed with the management of the plant their investment intentions, the opening of new jobs, as well as the implemented innovations in production, which are significant on a European scale.

"In the face of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, you have a partner you can count on. You are a good example, with which we start this new wave of high-tech innovations, and from Bulgaria, as part of the competitiveness of Europe", said Minister Stoycheva. "Part of MIG's strategy is to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises through all financial mechanisms, to support the Bulgarian economy for a more clearly stated digital, green and sustainable transition," she also said.

"In connection with the expansion of our factory, in the next three to five years we will create 150 new jobs, and thus our employees will increase to over 1000", commented the director of the factory, Martin Yordanov. During the tour of the factory, it became clear that further automation of some of the production processes is to come, and this will not reduce the number of employees, but on the contrary – new positions will be opened.

During Minister Stoycheva's visit, Schneider Electric signed the Charter for Zero Net Emissions and Sustainable Development of TEZ. 6 companies have already signed it, 20 more are expected to join. The goal is for TEZ to become Europe's first carbon-neutral industrial park based on the introduction of innovative solutions and green technologies for the benefit of business development. The zone is the first industrial association of companies in Europe with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, while supporting the creation of new jobs, the spread of knowledge and innovation, increasing economic competitiveness and improving the development prospects of the region. This policy attracts investor interest.

In Plovdiv, Minister Stoycheva signed the contracts with the Mayor of Maritsa Municipality Dimitar Ivanov and the representative of the company "Bultex 99" for the financing of road infrastructure under the Law on Promotion of Investments (PI). Nearly BGN 500,000 is allocated to the Municipality for the construction of a part of the Southern Ring Road in the village of Radinovo. It will facilitate the access and operation of companies in the Maritsa industrial zone and will help attract new investors to contribute to the sustainable development of the municipality. With the construction of the road, the heavy traffic that currently passes through the village will be diverted. The measure is applied in connection with the investment project of "Bultex 99" EOOD - "Construction of a new warehouse-logistics base - first stage" in the village of Radinovo, with a class A investment certificate issued according to the order of ZNI.