site.btaInnovation and Growth Minister Takes Part in ESNA Forum

Minister for Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva participated in a forum of the Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA), held within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Stoycheva's Ministry said here on Thursday.

Stoycheva discussed the cooperation between Bulgaria and Spain in the field of innovation, the promotion of investment in high-tech sectors and the development of startups and fast-growing companies with Spain's Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence Carme Artigas at a workshop in the Spanish city of Leon.

The two officials commented on the growing role of the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem in both countries and the regulations related to their development and activities in Europe. The conversation also focused on the penetration of artificial intelligence and the upcoming international conference that the Innovation and Growth Ministry is organizing in Sofia on the topic. Stoycheva highlighted the important role of the INSAIT Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Sofia and the Discoverer supercomputer for the region and Europe, as well as the talents in Bulgaria.

She presented the investment opportunities in Bulgaria as well as financial instruments to support investors.

"Innovation affects all sectors, and education is extremely important as it is at the heart of creating innovation," Stoycheva said. She stressed that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is working closely with the Ministry of Education and Science as well as other institutions to create a foundation for the development of high-tech startups.

For her part, Artigas said that Minister Stoycheva's vision and goals are extremely important for the development of innovation at the European level. She drew attention to the regulations for the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem in Europe, as well as the legislation regarding the control of the use of artificial intelligence.