BUSINESS IN ANTARCTICA? WHY NOT?
One can raise his/her adrenaline for USD 7,000 as an extreme tourist at a temperature of minus 89C. The conditions are similar to the ones on Mars with the addition of curious penguins and clumsy seals around. You can expand your business in the area of telecommunications, pharmacy, scientific research. You can develop your entrepreneurship spirit in the real estate sphere.
This all can happen at a place, accessible only for well-trained people with proper equipment. We are talking here about the Antarctic Continent that is rich of minerals and natural views and which has been exploited by big companies for more than 50 years. How does one make any business in Antarctica and which is the most attractive sphere? Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian expedition on the ice continent answers our questions.
Antarctica is a dangerous place, since the lowest temperature ever has been registered there – minus 89C. There are temperatures of that kind on Mars, so this gives a chance for tough experiments. Modern clothing is tested there for endurance high in the mountains or in remote northern areas. However, the area of telecommunications attracts the most.
The latest communication technologies are used on the ice continent and those link more than 100,000 people, residing there over the local summer season, with all parts of the globe via satellites. Bulgarian business thinks that scientific research, such as creation of new medicines and extreme tourism can be developed there, and more:
"We plan to take into an orbit, passing above Antarctica a Bulgarian satellite," Prof. Pimpirev explains. "Bulgaria has a polar base on the ice continent – St. Kliment Ohridski that has worked over the summer season ever since 1993. The 20th jubilee expedition took place last year. The satellite will serve not only to the Bulgarians there. It will fly above Bulgaria everyday and will take pictures, provide data on meteorological conditions, droughts and floods will be foreseen etc. This will be very useful for this country's farmers. This is one side of the business. Due to the fact that Antarctica is the most isolated continent, unique animal and plant species and microorganisms live there. Scientific research of those may reveal organisms, endurable to extreme conditions. Enzymes may be extracted that can be used for new medicines, helpful in the fight with serious illnesses. Thus Bulgarian pharmaceutical companies may take part in this attack of medical business from all over the globe."
Tourism is another business in Antarctica that has been really successful for 30 years because of the unique nature there. Each year over 15 – 20,000 tourists visit the ice continent and those descend the ships, meet the unique animal world, the penguins, the seals, the unique plant species, they see the blue glaciers and the ice… The feeling is incredible and more and more people want to see this beauty, Hristo Pimpirev says. Do Bulgarian tourists show interest to Antarctica?
"There is an international association of Antarctic tour operators that provides statistics of tourists. Some 50 Bulgarians have visited the place so far as tourists," the professor goes on to say. "Middle class people are now tired of Hawaii or Bali and that is why they opt for Antarctica. A 10-day holiday is worth some USD 7 – 10,000 and not everyone can afford it. However, there are many rich Bulgarians nowadays and I think this kind of tourism can be sold in Bulgaria. Tourism conquers the ice continent rapidly and turns into a serious business, worth millions."
Over 30 countries have started to develop business activities in Antarctica. Unfortunately Bulgarian entrepreneurs do not show particular interest, Prof. Pimpirev says and adds that this should change. As far as the real estate business is concerned, a person cannot purchase any spot there, since Antarctica is ruled by a joint government of 28 states and Bulgaria has been one of those since 1998. There is no clause for private property in the Antarctic contract since all territories are state-owned.
