For the 10th year, the electrical industry has the highest share in exports - 11%. It is followed by the sectors “Copper and copper products“ - 9% and “Machinery, apparatus and mechanisms“ - 7.6%.
“The Bulgarian electrical industry exports mainly to the EU. Last year, 71% of production was directed to EU countries. This is our most important trading partner“, said Eng. Orlin Dimitrov, CEO of BASEL, during a meeting with journalists.
Most production - 23% is exported to Germany. The development of the Bulgarian electrical industry also depends on this share, depending on how the situation in Germany develops. “Over the last 2 years (ed. note 2023 and 2024) there was a recession in Germany, which affected us and the Bulgarian electrical industry. In 2025, the trend in Germany changed and a slight growth of 0.2% is observed, which at this stage gives positive expectations, but who knows what effect can be observed. We hope that this trend will be consolidated in the coming years“, added Eng. Dimitrov.
As for exports, they amounted to nearly 6 billion EUR last year. There was a decline in production in the processing industries. This is most strongly affecting companies in the automotive industry. Demand for cars in the EU itself has decreased and this also applies to Bulgarian companies.
„According to statistics, the production of the automotive industry in Bulgaria has decreased by about 20%. Surprisingly, it turns out that the production of electrical equipment has increased by about 60%, but these are separate segments of the production of our industry“, specifies Eng. Dimitrov.
In terms of the leading classes of the electrical industry as a whole, the first place is retained by electrical auto parts. In second place are the electrical distribution apparatus, energy equipment, household electrical appliances - accumulators, batteries, etc.
„When we talk about the current state of our industry, we must distinguish between the individual segments. We cannot say that in general all segments are developing negatively or positively. Ultimately, the numbers show that exports have been decreasing for the second year. This is a very unpleasant trend and in general there is no light in the tunnel for its reversal“, commented the CEO of BASEL.
The Bulgarian industry is facing serious challenges, with the key problems clearly standing out - increasing competition from Asia and a deepening labor shortage. This was stated by Eng. Dimitar Beleliev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BASEL.
According to him, Bulgarian production is of high quality, but expensive - a fact that makes it competitive mainly in European markets, but not in Asia or Africa. “There, thanks to China, we have practically no chance of breaking through“, he pointed out.
Even more worrying is the fact that over 60% of public procurement in the sector in our country is won by companies from third countries.
“A paradox arises - we are one of the largest exporters, but with the money from our taxes we finance our competitors“, said Beleliev. He explained that in these countries the market economy is often distorted, and production - seriously subsidized. “In their case, the goal is not profit, but conquering markets and destroying local producers“, he added.
As a possible solution, the business suggests returning to the practice of years ago - introducing a requirement that at least 51% of goods and services under public procurement be produced in Europe or in countries with trade agreements with the EU.
According to Beleliev, this does not distort competition, but creates a level playing field.
“This will give us the opportunity to develop and become more competitive in foreign markets“, he believes.
The other serious problem is the lack of labor force - a topic that business has been raising for years.
“We have people, but they don't feel like working. Social policy has not changed significantly and instead of looking for people to work, we are trying to find people jobs“, commented Eng. Beleliev.
According to him, this is precisely the reason why many companies are increasingly relying on importing workers from third countries. Importing labor, however, partially solves the problem. It even creates new administrative obstacles.
A specific example: if a worker is hired for one city, he cannot easily be transferred to another factory of the same company in another city, if it is registered as a separate legal entity.
“In such a case, the person must return to their country and reapply in a few months, which is absurd”, he explained. According to him, currently a large part of the business in Bulgaria relies on foreign workers.
Adding to the problem with the workforce is the lack of a clear educational policy.
“In Bulgaria, there is no clarity about what kind of personnel we want to create. We don't just need people with English, but people who want to work here”, said Eng. Beleliev.
He emphasized that the business is trying to compensate through dual training, but this cannot replace the role of the state.
According to the industry, if concrete steps are not taken – both to limit unfair competition and to reform the labor market – positive trends at the moment can quickly reverse.
“Everything is in our hands. We must stop waiting for someone from outside to help us“, Eng. Beleliev is categorical.