Experts from the World Bank are currently preparing an analysis of the opportunities for the development of the port of Varna and by the end of the year we will announce a procedure for a public-private partnership. Our goal is to attract international funds and companies that will provide sufficient investments for its modernization, attract new shippers and increase the processed goods at the terminals Varna-East and Varna-West. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov during a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin today in Sofia.
Grozdan Karadzhov emphasized that the government's policy is for more economic activities and services to be carried out by private companies, not by the state. “Our goal is to attract international investors to participate in the upcoming competitions for the construction of important infrastructure projects for which the state does not have the necessary resources in the medium term“, Karadjov pointed out and explained that the analysis prepared by the World Bank will be publicly presented when it is ready in the summer, in order to reach funds and companies from all over the world.
”An example of a successful public-private partnership in the operation of port terminals is the Burgas port”, Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov also said. He stated that after the modernization of the Burgas-East 2 and Burgas-West terminals, the growth of cargo there in recent years is 30%.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin commented that currently more than 60 enterprises with Bulgarian capital are successfully operating in Kazakhstan. “Bulgaria's investments in Kazakhstan last year amounted to 8 million. dollars, which is 90% more than in 2023“, he also said. “According to the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, Kazakhstan ranks third in terms of imports, second only to Turkey and China“, the Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
The two Deputy Prime Ministers also discussed expanding cooperation in transport and communications, as well as in the field of medical services. They agreed to continue the active dialogue on the development of the Middle Corridor, with Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov emphasizing that this year Bulgaria will host a high-level meeting of all countries along the corridor.
“We would like to invite Bulgarian companies to participate in the pharmaceutical industry in Kazakhstan, excellent conditions have been created for this, including good co-financing“, said Deputy Prime Minister Zhumangarin. Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov welcomed the idea and stressed that he would hold talks with the Minister of Health and pharmaceutical companies about the good opportunities that are opening up before them.