site.btaBozhourishte Industrial Zone Elicits Keen Interest among German Investors

Bozhourishte Industrial Zone Elicits Keen Interest among German Investors

Berlin/Sofia, March 16 (BTA) - Attracting a key investment as
that of Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH (BHTC) in the Bozhourishte
industrial zone off Sofia has elicited interest among other
German investors, Bulgarian Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski
said during a meeting with BHTC Technical Director Andreas
Teuner, Loukarski's Ministry said in a press release. The
meeting took place during Loukarski's visit to North
Rhine-Westphalia. He said that the potential is serious and that
there are preliminary statements about investment intentions.

Teuner said that the first stage of BHTC's investment was
successfully completed and the plant is already working. At the
end of last year and the beginning of the new one the facilities
were visited by representatives of BHTC's large clients who had
to license the company's production plant in Bulgaria as a
supplier, Teuner said. BHTC makes vehicle air conditioning
components for Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Scania, Volvo, Skoda,
Seat.

It emerged at the meeting that inquiries were made to BHTC by
other investors about the opportunities in the Bozhourishte
industrial zone. One of the interested companies works in the
automotive industry. Another one recruits researchers.

At the moment 90 people work at BHTC's Bozhourishte plant,
planned to increase to 200 by the end of the year, and to 300
next year. BHTC will also develop its Bulgarian R&D centre.

While in Germany, Loukarski also visited a meat-packing company
which is in the process of selecting a suitable location for
extending its production in Northern Bulgaria. The company plans
to build a plant in Bulgaria and initially open 60 to 80 jobs,
planned to increase to 130.

Loukarski said he was ready to render support to potential
investors in the initial exploration process, saying that a
person can be appointed as project manager in the Bulgarian
Investment Agency to aid in all ways possible the realization of
the project.

Loukraski also visited the international wine and spirits trade
show, Pro Wien, where this year Bulgaria is represented by 25
wine-making companies.