News

EU Ministers of Economy opened a political discussion on the future of industrial policy in Europe, with the aim of preparing a comprehensive and long-term EU industrial strategy with a horizon of 2030. The Ministers met in Sofia on 1 February 2018 in the framework of the informal meeting on Competitiveness.

An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for trade, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Economy Mr. Emil Karanikolov will be held on 27 February 2018 in Sofia. The European Commission will be represented by the Commissioner for Trade Ms. Cecilia Malmström.

The Common Industrial Policy Strategy should support the intensive introduction of innovation in production, industrial digitalization, job creation and improved access to financing for enterprises.

Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov presented before the Committee on International Trade /INTA/ of the European Parliament in Brussels the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency in the field of the common commercial policy.

The informal meeting of the Ministers, responsible for the competitiveness in the Industrial field, chaired by Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov will start with a plenary session at 9.30 am on February 1, 2018 at the National Palace of Culture, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov will launch a conference on ‘Innovation and Competitiveness. The Core Industries – a Key Driver of Growth’. This event is under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and has been scheduled in the calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In order to respond to global economic processes and challenges, and to preserve Europe’s competitiveness, a common industrial policy shall be necessary with closer policy coordination, also including the national level. We shall continue our work to give special consideration to small enterprises, to start-ups, to the expanding and medium-sized enterprises in their efforts to achieve a comprehensive and long-term EU industrial strategy”.

Since the start of 2018, 10 certificates have been issued under the Investment Promotion Act (IPA) of total amount nearly 600 million BG leva, 877 new jobs have been projected. In the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, the Ministry of Economy concluded contracts for the promotion of 7 certified projects under the IPA of total investment value – 99.76 million BG leva, and 1.905 new job openings

A memorandum for agreement and cooperation between the Bulgarian investment agency /IBA/ and the Romanian Ministry of the business environment, trade, and entrepreneurship was signed by the Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov and his Romanian colleague Ilan Laufer, Minister of the business environment, trade, and entrepreneurship, within the joint meeting of the governments of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania.

“France is among Bulgaria’s leading commercial partners in Europe – this is confirmed by the increase in commercial exchange of goods by over 60% in the last ten years”. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of the economy Lachezar Borisov during a cocktail organized by the French-Bulgarian chamber of commerce and industry. The event was attended by entrepreneurs, diplomats, and partners of the Chamber.