Ilko Stoyanov, Mayor of Blagoevgrad
Mr Stoyanov, July marks exactly a year since you took office as Mayor. What has changed during this one year?
The truth is that I took over the management of Blagoevgrad during the conditions of a severe economic and political crisis. Within one year, three governments have changed, and fuel and electricity prices have skyrocketed, which has been challenging not only for the citizens but also for the local authorities. Against all odds, we have managed to keep the Municipality financially stable and, most importantly, we are actively working to implement multiple strategic projects.
We have been working for government funding for an important piece of infrastructure - soon we will be building a brand new street that will be key and will significantly ease traffic for drivers and pedestrians on three blocks in the district’s centre. For decades, this has been a problem with no solution.
I am pleased that we have been able to revive a number of festivals and beloved cultural events that were forgotten by the previous leadership. Of course, we have also laid the foundations for new ones, which I believe will become a tradition.
The safety of the municipality's residents is one of the main things that we must guarantee. We are also making serious efforts in this direction. A year ago, we set up the Inspectorate, which, I dare say, is managing to cope with the functions entrusted to it.
Despite the generally difficult economic situation, we have also managed to attract investors who are providing citizens with jobs. For example, the company 'Ottobok', which has set up on the territory and whose activity is producing innovative medical devices and prostheses. We have also attracted an international trucking company that operates in the United States - Montway - which has opened offices in Blagoevgrad and is providing employment opportunities for dozens of people.
Speaking of the economy, I would like to remind you that in March this year we held an extremely worthwhile forum called 'Investment and Innovation in Blagoevgrad', with the American University and representatives of some of the largest IT companies in the Bulgarian market. As a result, we have created new jobs and "bridges" that will play an important economic role in the future.
Universities play an important role for the municipality and for me, as mayor. In Blagoevgrad, prestigious educational institutions are developing their activities – the Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski", the American University in Bulgaria, and the College of Tourism. I am glad the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and AUB are working together on joint projects, including forums, festivals, etc. for the first time in 30 years.
We are also working hard for the development of sports in Blagoevgrad. For example, we revived basketball. We are currently doing a major renovation of a sports hall that people can use for multiple sports activities – not just basketball. This is happening thanks to a donor who provided BGN 100 000.
We also uncovered and put an end to the flagrant abuses in the “St. Mina" hospital, where cancer patients from the Blagoevgrad region and the whole country receive their treatment. If we had not uncovered the schemes of the previous management of the hospital, these patients would’ve remained without treatment, as the medical institution was facing bankruptcy. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of leva being siphoned off, but I would rather stop here because there is an active investigation going on.
The Integrated Development Plan of Blagoevgrad Municipality (2021-2027) envisages the creation of a new industrial park and a new industrial-logistics zone. The total indicative budget for these projects is BGN 880 million. Could you provide us with some more details on its development?
Like every regional city, Blagoevgrad needs its own industrial zone. The first task is finding a proper place on which to build it. At the moment, I have commissioned a task to change the General Spatial Plan of Blagoevgrad so that the boundaries of this zone are outlined. After that, we have to proceed with the preparation of a project and finally, it is the industrial zone’s registration and the funding. It’s a long and complex process. It will take about two or three years, but in return, the future zone will give the city development for many years to come. Therefore, I am optimistic, because we have managed, despite the fragmented ownership, to find a site that is suitable for the creation of such a separate zone. I hope it will be voted on by the City Council in October.
The good news is that the economic backwardness of Blagoevgrad, due to the lack of such a zone, will now give us the impetus and the opportunity to build an Industrial Zone that will meet the new realities and the business needs in a completely different way, with a view to relocate them, with the clear perspective of zero carbon emissions. In this sense, we are talking about a modern and technological Industrial Zone.
We shouldn’t underestimate the so-called Innovation Quarter, which is the same, but for the development of the IT sector. For this purpose, we have envisaged the site of the former barracks, where we plan to build the future district. It will be a "MiniTechpark zone", where the IT sector in Blagoevgrad will develop. The land has already been allocated for this project.
Do you have any good examples of public-private partnerships?
Unfortunately, we do not have a single example of a good public-private partnership. All the public-private partnerships in Blagoevgrad so far are examples of bad practices. For example, the so-called Covered Market, actually destroyed the old market and ruined the idea of traders and producers having a better place to sell their products. So I'm not particularly fond of the public-private partnerships, and how they operate in Blagoevgrad. This kind of relationship is profitable when it is an equal one, and not when one party gains more at the expense of the other.
What should the region's economy look like?
The region's economy should be focused on the IT sector, startups, and microelectronics. Certainly, it should be linked to the education of our city, which is university-based. That is, the advantage of universities should be developed further in secondary schools, even upgraded with a research institute for the development of microelectronics. And all these should be in synergy with each other. Enterprises working in light industry (since there's no heavy industry in Blagoevgrad), the food industry will be located in the future industrial zone. Why not create a Balkan logistics centre? We shouldn’t miss the development of tourism, of course. By the way, tourism is an item that has so far added zero value for Blagoevgrad and, certainly, can be developed in view of the mineral water and mountains.
How does the municipality contribute to this image? Have you had any inquiries from foreign investors for investment and partnership in the municipality?
We hold round tables and continuous meetings between educational institutions - secondary and higher education and mediate with the private sector. For our part, we provide good conditions for development through the definition of the future Industrial Zone, through assistance in finding land and personnel. This will be our function and, naturally, the role of the municipality will be to assist investors as transparently as possible. All partners are welcome in the municipality. It is important that they give their added value.
What new projects are coming up?
I claimed “strategic development” in my election campaign. There are seven major projects and the work process has proven that they are realistic and seriously boost the economic development of the regional centre. Let us hope that we will soon enter a period in which we can start the implementation of these projects, it’s not only up to us- as mayor and the municipal administration, but the entire country. These seven projects are a start, but they will be built upon many more.
What are the most pressing issues you need to tackle by the end of your term?
In today's times, we have to deal with the issues that most directly affect our lives - and those are about making life better for our fellow citizens, how to pay their bills, how to keep their jobs, how they have better living conditions. First and foremost, I try to stay close to the people and aim at solving their everyday problems in this mandate. Strategic projects are important, but one strategic project takes years, and my job is to be close to the citizens until then. And I am doing my best to help the business in every way possible during these hardships. I'm sure it's going to get better. Every dark period is followed by a brighter one. I want the business to know that they have a good and loyal partner in me.
