Minister Stoycheva: In 8 months, we have certified investments for nearly BGN 500 million, which create 2,000 new jobs

For the period from June 6, 2023 to February 5, 2024, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) has issued 21 investment certificates under the Investment Promotion Act (IPA). 12 are for investment class "A", 6 are for investment class "B" and three are for priority projects. The planned investments amount to BGN 499.5 million, which will create 2,010 new jobs. This was announced by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoycheva, at a ceremony in MIG when three certificates were awarded to investors.

She pointed out that compared to the same period a year ago, this represents a 41% increase in the amount of certified investment and just over 18% growth in the expected number of new jobs. "This month we are in the process of issuing two more certificates for projects in the amount of over BGN 10 million," Stoycheva emphasized.

During the ceremony, the Minister presented a class "A" certificate to "AK Electric" AD, part of the global manufacturer AQ Group AB. The company is one of the leaders in the design and manufacture of electrical panels and complex metal components for industrial customers. The company designs and assembles electrical panels and processes ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Their investment project "Modernization and introduction of new technologies" is related to the expansion of the company's activities and the construction of a modern and high-tech factory in Pernik. The amount of the company's investment is BGN 10,400,000 and it is planned to create 170 new jobs. The factory will produce end products for electrical equipment designed for renewable energy sources and for power transmission for leading global companies.

"We have purchased new machines and will continue to invest in new equipment," said the executive director of one of the largest enterprises in Southwestern Bulgaria, Emil Nikolov. He emphasized that investment in the development of employees through retraining and training is of key importance for the company. "Our production facilities are located in Radomir, Pernik and Kyustendil, and in total we have over 1,200 employees," he added.

Certificate class "A" for the investment project "Installation for the production of microcrystalline cellulose" was presented to "SVILOZA - ZIK" JSC. The amount of the investment amounts to BGN 25,670,000 and 40 new jobs will be created. The project in Svishtov is related to the diversification of the company's activities and envisages the construction of a completely new installation for production.

"For more than 20 years, we have been purposefully investing in green energy and the circular economy. With this project, we will close the production cycle from raw material to final product", commented the owner Krasimir Dachev. He emphasized that the company follows an ambitious investment strategy with the aim of strengthening their leadership positions in the Balkans and in Europe in this sector.

"TECHNOOPTIC" OOD received a class "B" certificate. The company specializes in manufacturing and trading precision optical components and coatings. Their investment project is related to the expansion of the company's activities and foresees an increase and optimization of the production capacity. The company plans to build a production building consisting of offices, a measuring laboratory, and service premises in the Bozhurishte Industrial Zone in Sofia. The size of the investment by the company is BGN 2,000,000.

"We use environmentally friendly materials supplied by world-renowned companies in the sector. We also plan to purchase new machines to improve the automation of production and the specifications of the components we make," the company commented.

The executive director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency Mila Nenova was also present at the ceremony.