Sliven region's closeness to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing and the port of Burgas is a chance for the region now that transport routes and supply chains are being redrawn, economy, industry and investment minister Alexander Pulev said. He spoke at the opening of SLIVEN FUTURE FORUM 2026 in Sliven.

Supply chains are the routes along which goods travel from the maker to the buyer. Pulev said changes in them open up chances for all of Bulgaria and for the region. He said Sliven should be at the centre of the new economic policy, not left on the sidelines of changes in the economy.

Pulev said the government is working on financial tools to support small and medium-sized business and farming. He noted that one of the economic zones in Sliven has already received EU money under a programme that encourages investment in industrial zones.

Innovation and digital transformation minister Ivan Vasilev presented the ways firms that invest in green technology can get funding.

Deputy labour and social policy minister Nadya Klisurska spoke about the role of people in the growth of regions. She said investment must come with conditions that keep young people and families in their home towns and give them a chance to develop.

Representatives of the government, local authorities, business and the institutions that work on economic development are taking part in the forum. The topics are the development of the region, investment, conditions for business and training of people.

One aim of the forum is to set out 10 concrete steps for the development of Sliven region by 2030, as well as the most important tasks and the partnerships that could help carry them out.

Follow-up: Almost €83m set aside for green technology in small business