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Investment in Data Centres Is Useful If Linked to Bulgarian Economy, Development Potential - Innovation Minister

Dimitrina Solakova, Delyan Petrishki
Investment in Data Centres Is Useful If Linked to Bulgarian Economy, Development Potential - Innovation Minister
Investment in Data Centres Is Useful If Linked to Bulgarian Economy, Development Potential - Innovation Minister
Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev speaks at the 5th SEE ITS Summit, Sofia, October 2, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)
Sofia,  
02.10.2025 14:47
 (BTA)

For a future investment in the construction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre in Bulgaria to be useful, it must be linked to a development centre or have the potential to stimulate the Bulgarian ecosystem and innovative thinking. Otherwise, it will be of little use, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev said here on Thursday. He was speaking at a discussion panel within the 5th SEE ITS Summit, the largest forum for innovation and technology in Southeast Europe.

"Such a facility [an AI data centre], which is simply located on the territory of the country and consumes electricity, does not lead to any breakthroughs if it is not connected in some way to the Bulgarian economy and development potential," said the Deputy Prime Minister, adding that the country does not need 10 or 15 staff to be responsible for the technical maintenance of the facility because it does not bring any benefits.  

He highlighted the cost of electricity as a factor in choosing a location for such an investment, but as an EU Member State, Bulgaria has restrictions on providing state aid, so it cannot offer investors non-market prices for electricity. 

In conclusion, he pointed out that in all his talks with potential investors, he had requested that Bulgarian science also be involved. Otherwise, he said, the benefits would be much less. 

SEE ITS Summit 2025 is organized by the Association for Innovation, Business Services and Technologies (AIBEST). One of the key highlights of the programme is the presentation of the new Digitalisation 4.0 index by the SeeNext team, a long-standing analytical partner of the forum. The report will outline the development of digitalisation in Bulgaria and the region - from the share of ICT specialists in employment to the implementation of artificial intelligence and e-commerce. The forum will conclude with the SEE ITS Awards ceremony on Thursday evening, which will honour companies with the strongest contribution to the development of the sector in Southeast Europe.

/DS/

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By 00:07 on 04.10.2025 Today`s news

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