site.btaDeputy PM: Problem We Must Fix Is Public Overlooking Bulgaria’s Industrial Sector

Bulgaria's industrial sector is often seen by the public as non-existent even though it accounts for 28% of this country's gross domestic product, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev said, as quoted by his Ministry’s press service on Thursday. He spoke during a discussion on the competitiveness and challenges facing the machinery industry, held as part of the annual General Assembly of the Bulgarian Machine Building Branch Chamber in Pazardzhik. "How can we get children interested in industrial careers and convince their parents to support vocational education when industry remains invisible, and many people still imagine it with late 19th-century working conditions?" Donchev asked. "How many boys and girls want to study engineering today? Far fewer than we need. This is a societal, political and economic problem that we must address together,” he noted.

Donchev said that although Bulgaria has invested millions into Centres of Competence and Centres of Excellence, “the business sector is not using them because it is unaware of the existence of the unique laboratory equipment purchased”. In three weeks, the equipment and terms of use will be made publicly available, he added.

On funding opportunities, the Minister recalled that BGN 5 billion is available to Bulgarian businesses for digitization, modernization and energy efficiency under various EU-supported instruments until the end of the programming period.

Speaking about defence, Donchev said that Bulgaria will inevitably invest billions in modernizing its Armed Forces in the coming years.

"As I observe military trends, I hope to see Bulgaria develop industrial capacity in several areas that reflect the development and industrial potential,” he said. Donchev stressed the need for increasing drone production capacity, noting that this is a highly competitive sector that could strengthen the capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

In Pazardzhik, Minister Donchev also visited RAIS, a company specializing in CNC machine production. RAIS serves various industrial sectors and operates across Europe, Asia, and Africa.