The Microelectronics and Mechatronics sector is one of the fastest growing and innovative sectors in the Bulgarian economy. It is among the key industries for future growth and investment in the country. This was stated by the Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov during a round table on promoting cooperation between the UK and Bulgaria in the field of semiconductors and microelectronics, moderated by the UK Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Rob Dixon.
‘We have huge potential in the field of microelectronics, but we need to concentrate our efforts in specific areas, such as the creation of new products, the design of chips and electronic sensors, the production of components for robotics,’ Minister Bogdanov said.
In his words, our country has great opportunities to attract investors in the sector, as well as sufficient expertise and trained engineers. ‘More and more development centres of international companies from different sectors are opening in the country, which creates an additional incentive for the development of the industry,’ he added.
‘We are actively working to create a favourable institutional environment for business, including the construction of prepared industrial sites and opportunities for the promotion of research and development, as well as the positioning of training centers in them,’ Bogdanov said.
‘Our ambition is to change the economic landscape of the country. The future lies in the development of technologies with high added value, and Bulgaria is increasingly becoming a competitive destination in the region and Europe,’ the Minister stressed. In his words, our country has a proven engineering capacity and we are no longer a destination for cheap labour. ‘With the raw materials and components we produce, we can be an important factor in the supply chain in the coming years,’ Bogdanov added.
At the forum, organized by the British Embassy, opportunities for building partnerships between the two countries were discussed. British experts shared experience and good practices, the idea of developing a regional microelectronics centre in Bulgaria based on the English experience with the centres and training programmes was presented. Over 400 companies in Bulgaria work in the mechatronics, electronics and microelectronics sectors and make a significant contribution to the development of the economy, employing around 60 000 people. They are export-oriented and have some of the most modern production facilities and highly qualified personnel.
‘I see great potential for partnership with the UK in the sector. Together we can play a key role in the international market,’ the Economy Minister pointed out.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Ministers of Regional Development and Public Works Angelina Boneva and Finance Ivaylo Yajdjiev, representatives of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, university professors, heads of leading companies from both countries working in the field of microelectronics and semiconductors, as well as representatives of business organizations.