Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. David Sukalinski held meetings with Bulgarian and foreign companies. ‘We strive to maintain a constant dialogue with the defence industry sector, appreciating its importance both for security and defence and for our country’s economy’, he stressed during the tour of the International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition ‘Hemus 2024’. In his words, as a result of the joint cooperation of state institutions, business and research organizations, the companies in the sector have the opportunity to implement investment projects, expand their production capacities, implement innovations and increase their competitiveness.
‘Bulgarian defence companies actively participate and perform successfully both in the highly competitive international tenders announced by NATO and its structures and in the current European programmes supporting the defence industry’, said Dr David Sukalinski. In his words, our companies are innovative, high-tech, competitive and adaptable.
The Ministry of Economy and Industry ensures the participation of Bulgarian companies in international NATO tenders for projects under the Security Investment Programme and in support of missions and operations. The Department maintains a database of potential candidates for participation in NATO procedures, informs about upcoming international NATO procedures and issues Declarations of Compliance for nomination of Bulgarian companies for participation in announced tenders.
Bulgarian companies actively participate in tenders of NATO and its structures. In 2023, they have executed contracts worth over €40 million for NATO’s two largest agencies, the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
‘These results show that Bulgarian companies can fully meet the high criteria and expectations of the EU and are able to participate as a full partner in consortia alongside large international corporations’, Deputy Minister Sukalinski was adamant.
The official opening of the 16th edition of ‘Hemus 2024’ at the Plovdiv Fair was yesterday and the exhibition will continue until 8 June. This year’s motto is ‘Defence, counter-terrorism and security’. At ‘Hemus 2024’, 147 companies from 25 countries will present innovations in the defence industry. This year, 7 new countries are joining the show, making it the largest since its inception. ‘Hemus 2024’ is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economy and Industry.