One of the main tasks of the Ministry of Economy is to support and develop the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, and the defence sector in Bulgaria accounts for a significant share of the country’s gross domestic product. This was said by Minister of Economy and Industry Peter Dilov during a discussion titled “The National Dimension of the European Programme for the Defence Industry: An Integrated Approach among Institutions, Industry and Academia,” held at the Defence Committee in the National Assembly.
The event, organized by the Chair of the Defence Committee in Parliament, Hristo Gadzhev, included Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov, Bulgarian MPs and MEPs, as well as representatives from the Bulgarian defence industry.
“We realise our responsibility towards this sector, which is important for the State and for the country’s economy, and we are working actively to strengthen its position in the Euro-Atlantic space,” the Economy Minister said. Dilov noted that EU grant funding aimed at optimising, expanding, modernising and upgrading existing or creating new production facilities is an undeniable priority for Bulgaria and for the country’s industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap companies, which are the backbone of the Bulgarian economy.
He said that Bulgaria has longstanding traditions in the production of certain types of small arms and light weapons, ammunition, rocket systems, optical products, communication and information systems, protective equipment and facilities.
“I believe that European defence industry programmes are key to technological renewal and expanding the production capacity of our enterprises,” Dilov said. He added that these programmes support the sector’s reorientation towards the high-tech European market.
The Economy Minister pointed out that, in order to take full advantage of these opportunities, there must be close synergy between institutions and active cooperation between the State and businesses. “Building trust, transparency and coordination between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Economy and Industry and other related bodies is essential,” he said.
He noted that the Ministry of Economy and Industry is actively involved in building the new European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which aims to strengthen the production capacity of European countries and promote cooperation between EU member states.
On March 5, 2024, the European Commission proposed legislation to create EDIP. Covering the 2025–2027 period, it will provide EUR 1.5 billion to achieve ambitious security and defence objectives.
Minister Dilov said that one of the main tasks of the Ministry is participation in NATO and EU bodies dealing with defence-industrial cooperation. “The goal is to take an active part in discussions and the adoption of regulatory documents that affect the Bulgarian defence industry. This also involves drafting the documents for their implementation so that the country’s and businesses’ interests are protected at an early stage of negotiations,” he added.
The Economy Minister said that companies in Bulgaria’s defence industry could benefit and participate fully in the EDIP measures designed to support and stimulate the European defence technological and industrial base.
“Bulgarian enterprises and organisations must be actively involved in shaping and implementing EU policies concerning the defence sector,” he concluded.