Opportunities for attracting investments in high value-added sectors, as well as closer cooperation in the implementation of innovations and technology transfer across various fields, were the focus of a meeting between Minister of Innovation and Growth Irena Mladenova the German Ambassador Irene Plank, the ministry said.
The two also discussed the potential for cooperation in the field of startup companies and artificial intelligence.
During the conversation, it was noted that German companies are among the largest investors in Bulgaria across various sectors. Minister Mladenova pointed to a good example – the awarding of a certificate for a priority investment project to a German company that will open a new plant near Plovdiv for the production of high-tech components for global aviation leaders. The investment is expected to reach EUR 90 million. This refers to the investment by Liebherr Transportation Systems Marica. Initially, around 200 new jobs are expected to be created, with the potential to grow to 600. The new plant will be located in the village of Benkovski, near Plovdiv, part of the Trakia Economic Zone.
At her meeting with Ambassador Plank, Minister Mladenova also highlighted Sofia Tech Park, which offers a wide range of services in high-performance computing and laboratory equipment for the development and testing of innovations. According to her, these capabilities could be of interest to German research institutes and companies operating in fields such as biotechnology, automotive engineering, computer modeling, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and more.
Minister Mladenova and Ambassador Plan agreed on strengthening the exchange of experience in technology transfer. Among the topics discussed were dual-use technologies and the development of defence innovations. In this context, the minister noted that the Defence Innovation Center, located at Sofia Tech Park, could collaborate with the innovation unit of the German armed forces, the Cyber Innovation Hub, as well as within the framework of NATO’s Innovation Fund (DIANA).
/RY/
