The European Commission has officially approved the Ministry of Economy and Industry’s project for the development of a National Industrial Strategy. The strategy will be developed with the full financial support of the EC, through the The Technical Support Instrument (TSI), under Regulation (EU) 2021/240 of the European Parliament and of the Council, within the 2024 cycle. DG Reform of the European Commision manages the he Technical Support Instrument (TSI).
The development of the industry is a key priority of the country, which needs a stand-alone strategy for its development. The strategy will include several important themes in the field of industrial policy — reducing the carbon footprint of industry, increasing the digitalization of production, improving resource and energy efficiency, introducing circular production models and promoting investor interest in the country’s industrial parks. The Strategy is intended to include two sectors of our economy — manufacturing and extractive industries.
The project also includes a Terms of Reference for the creation of a National Investment Portal, analyses of the ‘Zero Net Emission Industry’, the critical raw materials in Bulgaria, and an analysis of the industrial parks in the country.
In this regard, the Ministry of Economy and Industry has developed a Concept for the Development of Industrial Parks and Zones 2024—2028. The strategic objective of the document is to contribute to the implementation of a comprehensive new development policy based on a regional principle and linked to specific sectors in order to create conditions for attracting strategic investors in the country. The document specifies target regions and sectors, highlights and analyses business opportunities and the actual demand from investors and takes into account the potential related to the specificity and level of infrastructure development of the individual industrial locations.
The concept aims to present the vision for the development of industrial parks and zones as a prerequisite for attracting strategic investors in high added value sectors. The focus is on the development and construction of industrial parks and zones through the National Company of Industrial Zones EAD (NKIZ EAD) in Northern Bulgaria — Industrial Park Vidin, Industrial Park Pleven — Telish and Free Zone Ruse. The completion of the well-developed industrial parks with state participation in the form of the Industrial Park Sofia-Bozhurishte and the Industrial and Logistics Park Burgas will be continued by investing in urgent infrastructure improvements and attracting projects with a high-tech profile, in line with the specificity and capabilities of the locations.
The document sets out a concept for the construction of new zones — Dobroslavtsi Industrial Zone, Stara Zagora Industrial and Logistics Hub and Aksakovo Industrial Park, located in key regions of the country. Specific actions will also be identified for the development of industrial parks and zones in line with priority sectors and incentives to attract, retain and expand investment in these locations.
A key aspect is the consideration of the possibility to accelerate the development of some of the industrial parks through a public-private partnership (PPP) between the state in the form of NKIZ EAD on the one hand and international or local investors who have an interest and know-how how to build them on the other. There is also an opportunity to implement successful market-oriented projects on the basis of PPPs through the establishment of joint ventures with public (or municipal) and private partners.
In addition, the opportunities for financing through World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development instruments are highlighted in two areas – for the purpose of infrastructure development of already existing projects of NKIZ EAD and for the purpose of developing future projects for new industrial parks and zones.
Concept is in line with the priorities and objectives set out in the Governance Programme of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period June 2023 — December 2024, adopted by Decision No 506 of the Council of Ministers of 2023.
The concept will be included in the National Industrial Strategy. By Minute No 7 of 5 December 2023. The Development Council of the Council of Ministers approved the proposal for the development of a National Industrial Strategy until 2030.
See the Concept for the development of industrial parks and zones 2024—2028. here.