site.btaSoutheast Europe's Largest Forum for Innovation, Technology Held in Sofia

The 5th SEE ITS Summit, the largest forum for innovation and technology in Southeast Europe, was held in Sofia on Thursday. It was organized by the Association for Innovation, Business Services and Technologies (AIBEST).

One of the key highlights of the programme was the presentation of the new Digitalisation 4.0 index by the SeeNext team, a long-standing analytical partner of the forum. The report outlined 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.

Among the participants in the forum were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev, Economy and Industry Minister Peter Dilov, AIBEST head Yordan Ginev, and Forbes Bulgaria Editorial Director Vesselin Dimitrov.

In his address at the opening of the event, Economy and Industry Minister Dilov said that Bulgaria has all the prerequisites to take a leading role in the region in the field of digital economy. It has a developed information technology sector, high connectivity and a growing community of talented specialists, he noted. "This requires consistent government policy, active business and strong education," Dilov said, adding that this is the only way the country will build a competitive, sustainable and future-oriented economy. "We live in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is a reality with a direct impact on the economy and society. The countries that invest in innovation and human capital are the ones that will lead the process," Minister Dilov pointed out. He announced that the Cabinet and the Ministry of Economy and Industry have the ambition to turn Bulgaria into a centre for digital innovation and a reliable partner. Dilov described the forum as affirming the role of South-Eastern Europe in the digital economy. 

Innovation and Growth Minister Donchev said that high-added-value sectors and Bulgarian industry require political representation because the challenges they face are more complex. He called for the creation of a positive and encouraging public and political environment for these economic sectors. “How often do we talk about the traditional and creative industries?” he asked rhetorically, adding that entrepreneurs also need recognition.

Deputy Prime Minister Donchev also said that the State must send a signal that spending on research and development is a priority and that companies that invest more should enjoy tax incentives. "This is a conversation that has been going on for the last ten years without any real results. I think we are at an advanced stage of talks with our colleagues from the Ministry of Finance, and I hope that by 2026, if these talks are successfully concluded, the State will have sent such a signal," Donchev said. He stressed that Bulgarian industry is not aware of the established and available national innovation infrastructure.

The Innovation Minister said further that a market research will begin shortly, followed by a tender procedure for Bulgarian developers for several types of drones based on the Defence Ministry's specifications. "I believe that this is entirely within the capacity of Bulgarian developers," Donchev added. In addition to drone production, the Deputy Prime Minister listed other areas in the defence industry in which Bulgaria could easily specialise, in his words, such as anti-drone defence systems and tactical-level guided missiles. 

Donchev noted that 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.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.

The forum concluded with a SEE ITS Awards ceremony, which honoured companies with the strongest contribution to the development of the sector in Southeast Europe.