Minister Stoycheva: Innovations can be a tool that connects Bulgaria with other economies in the region and Europe

Innovations can be a tool that connects Bulgaria with other economies in the region and Europe. They can be a basis for cooperation and an engine of development that will position the entire region as a source of products and services with high added value. This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoicheva at the round table "Technologies that determine the future of digital transformation", organized by DXC Technology Bulgaria in Varna.

Minister Stoycheva presented the vision of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth for rebranding Bulgaria as a place for creating innovations, the result of scientific and development activities and human capacity and intellectual potential. "Among the main goals of MIG are the attraction of high-tech investments and the development of the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystems," Stoycheva also said.

The minister noted that Bulgaria is in third place in Southeast Europe in terms of the number of start-ups and in second place as a desirable destination for opening offices of start-up companies.

The Minister of Innovation also stated that the creation of innovation valleys and their connection in a network of hubs, which will improve the competitiveness of the region and of Europe, is among the priorities of MIG. "I believe that we can create a favorable environment for sustainable economic growth, involving all interested parties under the model of 'open innovation,'" said the minister.

Stoycheva emphasized that in terms of developing the latest technology, including artificial intelligence, Bulgaria can be proud of the work of INSAIT - the Institute for Computer Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Technologies. "The institute has a request to be a factor in the region and Europe and is one of the five institutes that are recognized for their contribution in the field of deep technologies," said Minister Stoycheva.

"I believe that if we use the capacity of such institutions in synergy with business, we will be able to create models to support solving local and global challenges," added the Minister of Innovation and Growth.

Before the event, Minister Stoycheva held a meeting with the Mayor of Varna, Ivan Portnih, representatives of the global innovation platform and world leader in support of startups and innovation capacity and strategic partnerships based on the model of "open innovation" "Plug and Play" and representatives of "Fraport". The opportunities for the sea capital, future partnerships were discussed there. The minister emphasized that a key goal of MIG is to show Bulgaria's potential through the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Later, she also held a meeting with K.D.P. Dr. Milen Todorov, director of SPD "Management of Ship Traffic - Black Sea" at the State Enterprise "Port Infrastructure". The meeting discussed the interaction between MIG and the Ministry of Transport and announcements to support innovation in the sector.

Minister Stoicheva also visited the Higher Naval School "N. Y. Vaptsarov", where he examined the training center for cyber operations and the simulator for machine operations. With Fleet Admiral Prof. Ph.D. Boyan Mednikarov, the Minister of Innovation, discussed the possibilities of MIG cooperation with the higher educational institution in connection with modernization of the base and innovative training for students, as well as the potential for cooperation within the NATO DIANA accelerator.