site.btaBulgaria to Introduce National Strategy for Processing, Extractive Industries

Bulgaria will have a national strategy for the processing and extractive industries, said Jeliaz Enev, Economic Policy Director at the Economy and Industry Ministry, during a discussion panel at the Annual Meeting of Local Authorities in the Albena resort complex on Tuesday. The forum is organized by the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. 

Enev noted that the project should be completed in December, but will most likely be extended, as the military industry has also been included in the document, adding that it will also have an indicative financial plan to be as useful as possible for business. The main goal is for the strategy to be workable and to increase the competitiveness of Bulgarian industry, he emphasized, noting that among the highlights will be reducing energy consumption, stimulating zero-emission technologies, and switching to low-carbon production

The document will also include measures to support enterprises, as the strategy will not prioritize any sector and will be generally aimed at the industry, the expert said. "We are committed to overcoming regional imbalances," Enev stated and specified that the strategy will focus on the circularity of production processes. There will also be a section on the creation of industrial parks, with partners in implementing the strategy being the ministries of innovation, education, energy, as well as the Bulgarian Investment Agency.

In his address to the participants in the discussion, Enev called on local authorities to conduct a dialogue with business, as there are places where there is resistance, especially when it comes to the mining industry. He stressed that for about 30 years, no studies have been conducted on the mineral resources in the country. Some information is available, but studies must be conducted using modern methods to assess the reserves, Enev pointed out.