REPRESENTATIVES OF OEMS AND SUPPLIERS DISCUSS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN BULGARIA

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev opened the International Automotive Conference 2013 which took place at the Sofia Event Center (Paradise Center). The event is the first of its kind forum that brings together over 100 representatives of leading automotive OEMs and suppliers. The conference is organized by the Automotive Cluster Bulgaria (ACB).

“I am happy to open the first of its kind automotive conference which gives possibilities for the development of the automotive industry in Bulgaria in the future. No doubt it contributes to the economic prosperity in each country. The European Union is the largest carmaker in the world and I am glad that Bulgaria also takes its place in the automotive chain. 20 billion euro for innovations is being invested in this sector in Europe. In the 80s Bulgaria was one of the 30 most developed industrial countries, so let us not underestimate the capacity and ability of schools and universities to provide qualified personnel. Besides the Automotive Cluster, the Cluster of Information Technologies is also very successful in our country, providing 35,000 job openings and servicing 140 companies nationwide”, the President said.

Currently there are over 140 companies in BG that export products and technologies for the automotive industry worldwide. “I could list many examples, such as the Great Wall factory in Lovech, the Automotive Leather Company for the production of leather seats for BMW, the Yazaki factory in Yambol, a second one will soon be opened in the country. Melexis is also recognized as the most high-tech company in the country with 600 million BGN turnover. Festo is building a second factory in Sofia and will increase its staff from 550 to 1500. Johnson Controls has a development center with 550 engineers, working in Sofia”, Plevneliev said.

Speed-Press Agency