2024-03-02 03:17:49
We had a meeting with SpaceX (Elon Musk’s company – ed. note). They are already interested and are beginning to recognize Bulgaria as a place for talent development. This is what Milena Stoycheva, the Minister of Innovation and Growth, told bTV.
“The Ministry of Innovation and Growth did not sign the contract with Lukoil and no funding was provided,” Stoycheva pointed out.
“Currently, Lukoil, as well as other 800 companies that apply under the support procedure for the transition to a circular economy, provides declarations and participates in this procedure. This is completely legal because we have no right to stop any company from submitting documents. They meet the eligibility to apply. There is an evaluation of the projects, verification of the authenticity of the documents and application of the regulations according to legality,” she pointed out.
“With the application itself, sanctions against the Russian Federation cannot be applied. During the shaping of the procedure, which happened long before us, there was no requirement to stop these applicants, but during the assessment, this measure can be triggered,” added the Minister of Innovation.
“Each of my business trips has been associated with a very specific outcome. I participated in the first strategic dialogue between Bulgaria and the USA. As a result of these talks, my next visit was related to the signing of the historic Artemis Agreement. This put Bulgaria in a new situation – to be a participant in the field of space policies and industry and to open up opportunities for Bulgarian companies”, she specified.
The minister added that after her visit to Croatia and Slovenia, an investor from a technology company was attracted.
“During my visit to California, the company “Meta” shared that it would be in their interest to develop a development center for virtual reality in Bulgaria. Today we had a meeting with SpaceX (Elon Musk’s company – note ed.). They are already interested and are beginning to recognize Bulgaria as a place for talent development. For the first time, they hear that we are a macroeconomically stable destination and have all the conditions and connectivity,” Milena Stoycheva emphasized.
The minister added that each business trip is reported in detail and its results are presented.
“For the period from June 6 to February 27, we have a 41% growth in investments in Bulgaria. 2,000 new jobs created by foreign investment. We have certified 23 investment projects, three of which are priority,” the Minister of Innovation emphasized.