The Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova presented priorities in the investment policy to our ambassadors in Southeast Europe. The presentation was made at a session on bilateral trade and economic relations, energy and transport connectivity.
During the event Shtonova pointed out some of the sectors in our country with great potential for attracting foreign investment — electronics, automotive, ICT, chemical industry, agriculture. ‘Industrial production is showing a positive development trend,’ the Deputy Minister of Economy said. She also commented that on an annual basis exports grew by over 40% and imports by nearly 45%.
‘In recent years, we have witnessed a relocation of investors from Asia to Europe in search of a location closer to home for the location of their production,’ said Irina Shtonova. In this regard, she commented that work is underway to develop industrial zones that are balanced in all regions of the country. ‘The industrial zones provide an opportunity for quick realisation of various investment projects because they provide land with already built infrastructure (electricity, water, etc.). In this way, companies can start building their production capacities in a very short period of time,’ said the Deputy Minister of Economy.
Irina Shtonova recalled that there is already direct communication with the Minister of Economy in the format of ‘breakfast with investors’, which is held regularly with representatives of foreign companies from different countries that do business in Bulgaria. The purpose of these meetings is to raise issues and seek ways to resolve them.
The session is part of a series of meetings on topical issues in Southeast Europe and is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova, Deputy Minister of Energy Elenko Bozhkov, Deputy Minister of Transport Nikolay Naydenov, Bulgarian ambassadors from 12 countries in Southeast Europe and others took part in the meeting.