A joint working group between the government, the regional administration, and local authorities will fast-track investment efforts
On Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Industry Alexander Poulev held a meeting with the Mayor of Stara Zagora, Zhivko Todorov, and the Regional Governor, Kaloyan Damyanov. The discussions focused on upcoming projects, execution procedures, and strategies to accelerate investment processes across the region.
“We have exactly three months to secure nearly EUR 3 billion under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. We are working closely with Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov to achieve this national objective,” Deputy Prime Minister Poulev emphasized during the talks.
Regarding Stara Zagora, he explicitly stated that 33 energy efficiency and retrofitting contracts have already been finalized. Additionally, new projects worth nearly EUR 300 million have been approved and are slated for implementation. “More than 200 additional projects are currently awaiting evaluation. We have committed to processing them as quickly as possible so that the funds can promptly reach their beneficiaries,” Poulev noted. He added that the priority remains delivering swift results for citizens—actions that will directly improve quality of life and ensure households and businesses have seamless access to these resources.
The officials also addressed the strategic development of local industrial zones, the airport, logistics infrastructure, and high-tech manufacturing. Delayed administrative procedures were a key talking point. It was noted that comprehensive statistics are being maintained and constant monitoring is underway, alongside targeted interventions designed to clear backlogs and speed up progress.
According to the participants in the meeting, infrastructure, transport connectivity and energy security are key to the development of the region. Emphasis was also placed on the opportunity to mobilize substantial financial resources through public contracts and European instruments, as well as the necessity of developing projects to a level that ensures they can be successfully defended before European institutions.
“The deadlines are highly ambitious, but we cannot afford to lose these funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Alexander Poulev: “The deadlines are highly ambitious, but we cannot afford to lose these funds under the NRRP. There is a significant resource directed toward Stara Zagora, and the funds are intended for the industrialization of the region,” Poulev emphasized.
According to him, over EUR 600 million will be made available through the Fund of Funds under the Just Transition mechanism, alongside an additional EUR 300 million focusing on the transformation of energy regions.
The meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Poulev was part of the policies for the long-term development of Stara Zagora, stabilizing the economic environment, and creating conditions for sustainable growth and investment in the region.
Poulev highlighted that his first official visit outside Sofia since taking office was precisely to Stara Zagora, expressing gratitude to the citizens for their support. He assured them that work is already underway on a comprehensive set of measures to improve living standards, the environment for Bulgarian manufacturers, and business conditions.