site.btaDeputy Economy Minister Briefs Denmark's European Affairs Minister on Options for Boosting VMZ Ordnance Plant's Capacity

Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nevena Lazarova and Denmark's Minister of European Affairs Marie Bjerre visited the State-owned VMZ ordnance plant in Sopot (Central Bulgaria), the Economy Ministry reported Thursday.

On the occasion of the upcoming Danish EU Council Presidency, which starts in July, the country's European Affairs Minister is conducting working visits to the region and to Bulgaria. As part of her official visit to Bulgaria, she visited VMZ Sopot in order to get acquainted with Bulgaria's defence industry and capabilities. 

The working visit was also attended by Flemming Stender, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Republic of Bulgaria.

The guests visited the main production facilities of the State-owned enterprise and got acquainted with the production processes.

"Bulgaria has long traditions in the production of military products," Deputy Minister Lazarova pointed out. She assured that the constant modernization and capacity increase of VMZ Sopot is a priority, as it is working to reorient itself towards the high-tech European market.

In her words, the defence industry plays an essential role in the country's economic growth. She stressed that the defence sector is not only a key segment of Bulgaria's national security, but also a key source of employment, innovation and investment. "To date, the sector employs over 70,000 highly skilled personnel and generates approximately 4% of the country's GDP," she specified.

The Economic Deputy Minister added that Bulgarian companies are participating and performing successfully in highly competitive European programmes with a focus on defence. The talks highlighted the long-standing partnership relations between Bulgaria and Denmark. Deputy Minister Lazarova said that the Kingdom of Denmark is a traditional economic partner of Bulgaria and the two countries maintain an active trade cooperation, which the Bulgarian side highly values.