„Industrial parks in Shumen and Targovishte are the locomotive, which will contribute to the economic growth of the region. They are also key for the re-industrialization of Bulgaria. They will help overcome regional imbalances because they attract investors with highly qualified jobs.
This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov in Shumen at a meeting with the mayor Prof. Hristo Hristov and representatives of local businesses, NOVA reported.
According to him, these parks will help more young people stay in the regions.
The meeting was also attended by Delyana Ivanova, who is the acting director. chairman of the National Assembly of the Bulgarian Development Bank together with regional governor Beinur Ahmed, business representatives, etc.
The minister also visited companies in the existing industrial park in Shumen, which receives BGN 3.6 million in grants from the ministry. The amount of the grant for the second project in Shumen - the Madara industrial park - is BGN 13.3 million. “The only city that won funding for two projects is Shumen”, Karadimov also said.
According to the procedure for the development of industrial zones and parks from the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability, the Ministry ranked 11 projects in 10 municipalities for a total of BGN 207 million. The municipalities are Ruse, Shumen, Svishtov, Lovech, Sofia, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Targovishte and Sliven.
Earlier, Minister Karadimov also visited Targovishte, where he held a meeting with the mayor, Dr. Darin Dimitrov, the regional governor, Gyursel Hasanov, and representatives of businesses in the region in connection with the approved project there. The amount of the grant for the industrial park in Targovishte is nearly BGN 28 million.
„Different generations attach different importance to industrial parks. The 35-year-olds imagine high-tech productions – softwares, chips, automotive industry. All this is possible precisely in the industrial parks”, the minister stated at the meeting.
During the two visits, the possibilities for the development of industrial zones and the support for investors under the Ministry of Innovation were also presented – through the Bulgarian Development Bank, the Bulgarian Investment Agency, the Fund of Funds and the European programs administered by MIR. The Bulgarian Development Bank can provide the preliminary financing for the implementation of the projects after the Council of Ministers approved the bank's new strategy, which allows it to support public investments implemented with national and European funds.
The currently open procedure for supporting family businesses, creative industries and crafts was also presented. The total budget is BGN 117.5 million and is aimed at micro and small businesses. They can receive funds for new machinery, equipment, tools, specialized software, etc. The minimum amount of aid for a project is BGN 15,000, and the maximum – up to BGN 150,000. The application deadline is September 16.