The maritime economy - a key sector for the sustainable development of Bulgaria

Today, a working meeting was held at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, where the possibilities for the development of the "blue" economy in Bulgaria were discussed. The meeting was attended by Minister Ivan Ivanov and the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, Charlina Vitcheva.

Vitcheva emphasized that the "blue" economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, with 80% of biodiversity found in the oceans, which must be preserved. She pointed out that for Bulgaria to maximize the opportunities this sector provides, it is important for the country to develop cooperation with neighboring countries. Vitcheva also reminded that various European funds, including the European Regional Development Fund, can be used for investments in the field of the "blue" economy.

In turn, Minister Ivanov expressed concern about the European Commission's intentions for the future of cohesion policy and the Cohesion Fund. He recalled that the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has developed and adopted a maritime spatial plan, whose vision is aimed at ensuring predictability and security in maritime spaces, coordination and synergy between uses, and reducing the harmful impacts of human activity.

The maritime or "blue" economy includes a wide range of activities related to the sea, such as fishing and aquaculture, exploration and extraction of raw materials, shipping and maritime transport, marine and coastal tourism, seafood processing, marine biotechnology, shipbuilding and ship repair, port activities, and others. The goal is to create new knowledge, services, and biotechnologies through cooperation between management, science, and the economy to support "blue" growth and improve the well-being of local communities.