Italian companies have the opportunity to participate in infrastructure projects and privatization in Bulgaria

"There are opportunities to attract Italian companies in projects of privatization, including tourist sites, as well as concessions and modernization of airports and ports, construction and reconstruction of road and rail infrastructure in Bulgaria." This was stated on 14 April by the Minister of Economy Bojidar Loukarsky at the opening of the economic forum "Bulgaria and Italy together for growth".

Minister Loukarsky pointed out that the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Italy are developing very dynamically, while creating prerequisites for the realization of projects of common interest in a number of areas. According to him such opportunities are available in the field of automotive and electro-manufacturing, electronics and electrical engineering, information technology, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, food industry, tourism, logistics and energy.

Positive indication of the role of Italian investments in our country is the constantly increasing number of Italian companies operating on the Bulgarian market. For the period 1996-2014, Italy ranks 10th place in terms of direct investments in Bulgaria, their amount reached EUR 1.49 billion. At present, companies listed on Bulgarian territory with Italian capital are over 1000 with a total of 25 000 jobs.

To representatives of the Italian business Minister Loukarsky outlined the main advantages of our country, including an active investment policy according to the Investment Promotion Act (IPA), maintenance of favorable tax policy and the lowest operating costs in the EU. Not least highly appreciated by foreign investors factor is the availability of qualified staff. According to Minister Loukarsky since 2004 under the IPA are certified projects with Italian participation for BGN 1.3 billion and as a result of them over 670 new jobs are created.

Benedetto Della Vedova Senator, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, confirmed that Bulgaria represents an increasingly important destination for Italian exports and investment. He said macroeconomic fundamentals of the country are solid, GDP is growing, and fiscal legislation is one of the most attractive in Europe.

H.E. Mr. Marco Konticheli, Ambassador of Italy in Bulgaria expressed a strong belief in the country's role in the panorama of the European Economic Area and the strategic position it holds. He expressed hope for a successful presentation of the Italian business community in structural projects and privatization procedures of Bulgaria.