Bulgaria is a recognizable IT destination and a predictable place for the implementation of innovative business projects. As a member of the largest network for international cooperation in the field of innovation and scientific research (the EUREKA initiative), our country is a reliable partner and successfully contributes to the development of innovation policy, increasing the technological level of enterprises and economic growth. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Krasimir Yakimov at the Global Summit of the EUREKA initiative in Istanbul. He participated in the ministerial panel of the Forum “Perspective and Insights on Sustainable Innovation”.
This year the initiative took place under the motto “Building Bridges for Global Challenges” and focused on the themes of green and digital transformation.
“Bulgaria has a well-developed digital and communication infrastructure, which provides it with a key advantage and positions it as a preferred place for the development of innovative technologies,” said Deputy Minister Yakimov. He said that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, through the financial instruments it manages, the programs with European funding, the Fund of Funds and the Bulgarian Development Bank, supports the entrepreneurial initiatives of Bulgarian companies and startups by providing them with financing and initial capital.
Yakimov also stated that the Ministry promotes the green transition through the real implementation of sustainable policies, one of which is the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization developed by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Among its priority areas is the development of clean technologies, as well as the circular and low-carbon economy. “The financial instrument that supports the strategy is the “Research, Innovation and Digitization for Intelligent Transformation” Programme with a budget of BGN 2.14 billion,” said the Deputy Minister. According to him, it provides financial support for innovation and transfer of knowledge and technology in the areas of European value chains.
Participants from different countries got acquainted with the latest trends and good practices in the field of scientific research and innovation. Eureka Innovation Awards were also presented to successful projects supported under the initiative. The event was also attended by representatives of Sofia Tech Park, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and others.
Within the framework of the forum, Deputy Minister Yakimov also held a bilateral meeting with Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Ahmet Yozgatlıgil. The two discussed bilateral economic relations in the field of investment and innovation, as well as opportunities for future cooperation.
He then met with the leadership of the Turkish Research and Technology Council TUBITAK. During the conversation, the possibility of interaction with Sofia Tech Park, the financing of research and development activities in both countries and the transfer of technologies were discussed.
The Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth also visited Gedik University and together with Rector Ahmet Kesik got acquainted with the latest projects and initiatives of Istanbul Tech Park.
Yakimov also held meetings with potential Turkish investors, to whom he presented the opportunities for investments in Bulgaria.
*Eureka Association is the world’s largest intergovernmental network for innovation and cooperation. It supports the competitiveness of companies. Its goal is to achieve market realization of the results of high-quality research and development activities. 45 countries, including Bulgaria, are members of the initiative.
