Bulgaria’s industrial sector, as a share of GDP, is nearly three times larger than agriculture and tourism combined. It requires engineers, industrial spaces, higher value-added production, and confidence, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev. He made the remarks at the opening of the Robotics Strategy Forum 2025 at Sofia Tech Park, as reported by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
The forum, one of the largest in Southeast Europe, focuses on robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. This year, it highlighted technologies developed in Bulgaria and attracted leaders from industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and academia. Deputy Prime Minister Donchev emphasized that technological changes will transform economies and societies, and that Bulgaria should optimize these developments and prepare for the challenges ahead. He also noted that 5 billion BGN are available to support Bulgarian SMEs in innovation and research and development activities.
Donchev stressed the importance of Sofia Tech Park as a key part of Bulgaria’s innovation infrastructure and announced that one of six new EU AI factories will soon be established in the country. The forum is organized by the Professional Association for Robotics, Automation, and Innovation (PARAi), with participation from the Bulgarian Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics (BASEL), the Mechatronics and Automation Cluster (MAC), and the Bulgarian Chamber of Mechanical Engineering. The coalition aims to promote Bulgaria’s technological sector and strategic partnerships.
The seventh edition of the forum included a special zone for 3D printing and scanning technologies called Additive Days, as well as informal networking spaces for engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors to encourage collaboration. Topics discussed at the forum focused on Bulgaria’s creation of globally relevant products and services, the role of Bulgarian expertise in international technological projects, and the potential of Bulgarian experts on the global stage. Partners of the event included Sofia Tech Park, the Fund Manager of Financial Instruments (FMFI), and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (EASME) under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
