site.btaEconomy Minister Visits Varna, Holds Meeting with Students over Career Prospects in Bulgaria, Talks on Varna's Shares in International Plovdiv Fair

Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov Friday visited the Black Sea city of Varna with an agenda including meetings with local students to discuss with them their career prospects in Bulgaria and talks with local government officials on Varna's shares in the International Plovdiv Fair.

The Minister met with the academic leadership, faculty and students of the University of Economics in Varna on Friday. He said it is important for the Ministry to talk with students about the experience and reasons why they should stay and make a career in Bulgaria. He added that young people are given the opportunity to work in state-owned enterprises which have a big potential, as well as in the structures of the Economy Ministry. The Minister said that young people have a future in Bulgaria because "it is developing in the right direction, its industry is working, its economy has the potential to grow in the future". 

Commenting the economic growth of this country, Bogdanov cited the latest data, according to which the forecast for 2% growth of the economy is maintained. According to him, the expectations are to keep the investment interest in Bulgaria.

"We maintain positivity, while of course taking into account all the dynamics of world markets and the fact that our key economic partners are entering recession", he pointed out. The Minister specified that this is one of the reasons why this country is looking for alternative markets, including across the Atlantic and in Asia. 

Meeting with Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, Bogdanov spoke about the government’s ambition to build an industrial zone near Varna in partnership with the local authorities. He said it will be, among other things, a project to attract young people to stay in Varna and for expat Bulgarians to return.

Near the industrial zone will be an agro hub which is expected to attract food processing companies.

The Minister and the Mayor discussed the controversy over Varna’s shares in the International Plovdiv Fair. 

The government is trying to get them back to make sure it does not lose control over the Plovdiv Fair, and there is an ongoing court battle involving the government, the Plovdiv Municipal Council and Fair majority owner, Plovdiv-based businessman Georgi Gergov. 

Bogdanov said that the shares “belong with the State because it must keep this key asset”. He also said that Varna got the shares from the State at no cost and should give them back the same way. He does not expect a final decision from the Varna City Hall or the regional administration before the court battle is over.