The government programme places a clear focus on investment, reducing the administrative burden and modernising infrastructure
“Our administration is close to the people, close to industry and close to the regions. We do not shy away from difficult conversations. We are here, on the ground, to look people and businesses in the eye and to hear directly about the problems they face.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev during a meeting with the Regional Governor of Pleven, Ivan Petkov, and representatives of business from the region.
According to him, it is precisely open and ongoing dialogue with business that provides the necessary foundation for pursuing policies that genuinely lead to economic growth and the development of the regions.
He noted that one of the government’s main goals is to overcome the structural deficits accumulated over the years, which limit the competitiveness of companies and deepen regional imbalances. “Our task is to create the conditions necessary for business to become more competitive, to expand its activity, to create more jobs and to invest in the regions. This is part of our broader goal – quality economic transformation that leads to better conditions in the regions and a higher quality of life for the people” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Poulev stressed that the government’s programme is now a reality, and in its economic section places a clear focus on three interconnected priorities: attracting and encouraging investment, decisively reducing the administrative burden, and modernising and developing infrastructure. “Investment is the number one priority in the government programme. We have created the necessary architecture to enable faster and higher-quality administrative service, and to consolidate the main policies relating to investment,” he noted.
As a second key priority, Poulev highlighted the decisive reduction of the administrative burden and regulation. The Deputy Prime Minister was categorical that companies should be able to direct their resources towards development, investment and new markets, rather than towards overcoming administrative obstacles.
“The main role of the state is to create, here in Bulgaria, a better and higher-quality environment for doing business. This means functioning institutions, adherence to deadlines, fewer regulations and fewer administrative requirements placed on business,” he said.
According to him, feedback from business will be used directly in the forthcoming legislative work. Poulev announced that the third main economic priority in the government programme relates to the modernisation and development of infrastructure. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that, without good transport and energy connectivity, sustainable development of the regions is impossible.
He stated that, given limited budgetary resources, the state must seek new and effective mechanisms for delivering strategic infrastructure projects.
In this connection, Poulev presented the preparation of an entirely new legislative framework for public-private partnerships. “We have an entirely new draft Public-Private Partnerships Act. The main idea is to mobilise private capital which, in good coordination with the state, will speed up the modernisation of infrastructure,” the Minister of Economy noted. He explained that the mechanism could be used to deliver projects in various key areas.
During the meeting with the Regional Governor of Pleven and representatives of business from the region, specific opportunities for developing high-value-added business in the area were discussed. Emphasis was placed on improving the quality of the business environment, developing and securing the necessary human capital, attracting and retaining specialists, and creating conditions that encourage skilled professionals to return to the region. The need for targeted policies to develop the regions and overcome accumulated regional imbalances was also underlined.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of National Company Industrial Zones, as well as Krasimir Yakimov, Deputy Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry.