site.btaTwo New Industrial Zones to Be Set Up, Economy Minister Says

An industrial and logistics hub at Stara Zagora (South Central Bulgaria) and an industrial park at Aksakovo (Northeastern Bulgaria) are to be set up according to a Concept on Development of Industrial Parks and Zones, Bulgarian caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Petko Nikolov said, addressing Parliament during Question Time here on Friday.

The Stara Zagora industrial park will be built on the site of a closed-down airport at some 15 km from the city on an area of 220 ha owned by the State Consolidation Company. This project can be implemented by public-private partnership, the Minister said.

The Aksakovo industrial park will be built on an area of some 450 ha, and the project stands realistic chances of being designated as a site of national significance.

The two industrial parks will cost an estimated BGN 12 million: BGN 3.5 million for Stara Zagora and some BGN 8.5 million for Aksakovo. Nikolov said that such financing is not available for the time being, adding that various options are being explored to find financial resources for the development of the two zones, including through the facilities of the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.