site.btaPM Denkov Invites Korean Business to Invest in Bulgaria's Strategic Location, Hub Potential

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov invited Korean businesses to the three coal regions most affected by the energy transition. Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik offer good infrastructure, are close to the capital and need new investment and new jobs to replace those that will be lost when the coal plants and mines close, the Prime Minister told the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Park Jin. The two conferred Monday on the sidelines of the 18th annual Bled Strategic Forum.

Bulgaria is counting on investor interest from Korea also for the concession of the airport in Plovdiv, whose potential not fully tapped at the moment. The idea is to turn it into a strong cargo airport due to its strategic location near Sofia. Bulgaria has the potential to become a logistics hub for Eastern Europe, Denkov stressed.

The prime minister offered Korea cooperation in areas such as production of batteries for storing electric energy, assembly of electric cars, high-tech hydropower systems, as well as in agriculture. He presented opportunities for cooperation with the INSAIT institute, one of the world's leaders in artificial intelligence.

The Foreign Minister of Korea promised assistance in moving forward Bulgaria's ideas for partnership between the two countries. He asked the Government to support the bid of the Korean city of Busan to host the World Expo 2030. In early February this year, the caretaker government already decided to support Riyadh.