site.btaIndustry's GDP Share Is Three-Fold Bigger than That of Agriculture Plus Tourism, Needs Engineers and Sites - Innovation Minister

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev said here on Thursday that Bulgarian industry as a share of GDP is almost three-fold greater than agriculture and tourism combined. It needs engineers, industrial sites, increased added value, and self-confidence, he added, as quoted by his Ministry's press centre. Donchev was speaking at the opening of Robotics Strategy Forum 2025 at Sofia Tech Park, one of the largest technology events in Southeast Europe dedicated to robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. 

This year, the forum focuses on technologies created in Bulgaria and involves industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and the academic community.

Donchev underscored that we are living in times of epic technological change. "They will not remain merely technological. They will change the economy and societies. And we must not resist them, but optimize them in the best way possible, prepare ourselves for the challenges," he said. 

Donchev added that BGN 5 billion is available to support Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises for innovation and research and development activities during the programming period.  

He also noted that Sofia Tech Park is an extremely important link in Bulgaria's innovation infrastructure and recalled that in a few months' time, one of the EU's six new artificial intelligence factories will be established in Bulgaria. 

The forum is organised by the Professional Association of Robotics, Automation and Innovation. This year, the organisers also include the Bulgarian Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, the Mechatronics and Automation Cluster, and the Bulgarian Chamber of Mechanical Engineering. The broad coalition of professional organisations aims to promote the Bulgarian technology sector and strategic partnerships within it.

Among the highlights of the 7th Robotics Strategy Forum are the new Additive Days zone - a special space dedicated to the latest achievements in 3D printing and scanning, as well as a specially designated space for informal meetings and discussions between engineers, entrepreneurs and investors, with the aim of stimulating cooperation. 

The topics of this year's forum are: global products and services created in Bulgaria and used around the world; Bulgarian expertise and its role in global technology projects; Bulgarian expertise that gives the country a place on the world stage.

Among the partners of the event are Sofia Tech Park, the Fund Manager of Financial Instruments in Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.