Bulgaria is entering a new stage in the development of its automotive industry and high technologies, said Lyubomir Stanislavov, Executive Director of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, during Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026.
The international conference, organized by Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, once again brought together representatives of the automotive industry, technology sector, institutions, and international business for a strategic dialogue on the future of the sector amid global challenges.
According to Stanislavov, Bulgaria is at the beginning of a new period both for the industry and the economy as a whole, with expectations that new international suppliers will choose the country for the construction of manufacturing facilities, BTA reported as a media partner of the event.
Stanislavov noted that Bulgaria is preparing for its first gigafactory for lithium-ion, electric, and solar batteries, while the country is also expected to announce its first major data center project in the coming months. According to him, this is the result of years of efforts to develop the industry to a European level. He emphasized that the forum aims not only to showcase the sector’s prospects but also to highlight the key challenges facing the industry.
During the conference, Deputy Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Krasimir Yakimov stated that Bulgaria now has the potential to move from being a manufacturer of automotive components to producing fully assembled vehicles under the label “Made in Bulgaria.”
“This is not a political slogan. This is an economic reality,” Yakimov stressed. He pointed out that the country has qualified engineers and specialists, research and development centers, a strategic location, and access to European markets, Economy.bg reported as a media partner of the event.
According to the deputy minister, Bulgaria’s automotive industry currently includes more than 380 national and international companies and 38 research and development centers. More than 80,000 people are employed in the sector, which accounts for around 11% of the country’s gross domestic product and generates annual turnover exceeding €10 billion.
Yakimov added that the next step in the sector’s development is attracting strategic investments through faster administrative procedures, modern infrastructure, developed industrial zones, and support for high-tech manufacturing. In his words, Bulgaria has the potential to establish itself as an industrial leader in the Balkans and a regional hub for electric mobility and innovation.
As part of the forum, Yakimov also met with Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA. The two discussed opportunities for new investments and Bulgaria’s positioning as a competitive destination for automotive industry projects.
