The Deputy Prime Minister calls for greater visibility of the Bulgarian industry and encouragement of young people to study engineering specialties.

The Bulgarian industry remains invisible to the general public, and its share in GDP is 28%. This is a serious social, political and economic problem that needs to be solved, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev at a discussion on competitiveness and challenges facing the machine-building industry.

Donchev called for opening factories to show young people that the working conditions are not from the end of the 19th century, and to encourage their interest in engineering specialties. He stressed that qualified workers who develop receive higher wages than many other professions.

The Minister recalled that Bulgaria has invested millions in Competence Centers and Centers of Excellence, but businesses do not use them because they are unaware of the unique laboratory equipment purchased. He promised that it will be publicly available in three weeks.

Regarding funding from EU programs, Donchev said that around 5 billion BGN are available to Bulgarian businesses for digitalization, modernization and energy efficiency.

On the topic of defense, Donchev commented that Bulgaria will invest billions in the modernization of the armed forces, but does so with little or no participation of the Bulgarian industry. He expressed the ambition for Bulgaria to specialize in the production of drones, as this will enhance the capabilities of the Bulgarian armed forces.

The Minister also visited the CNC machine, tool and equipment manufacturer "RAIS" in Pazardzhik, which has offices in several European countries and whose products are used by manufacturers from Europe, Asia and Africa.