The Dobroslavtsi Economic Zone Opens Up to Space Technology and Defense

After more than three years without tangible results, the government is taking urgent action to actually open the Dobroslavtsi Economic Zone. The relevant ministry is imposing strict deadlines on the responsible agencies and expanding the scope of the large-scale project – in addition to automotive manufacturing, the zone will now seek investors in the fields of defense, innovation, and space technologies.

The zone facilitates collaboration with innovative Bulgarian companies and provides strong support for Bulgarian industry in high-value-added sectors. “A public-private partnership model will be established to build modern access and internal infrastructure,” announced Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment, and Industry Alexander Pulev.

The information was officially announced by the Ministry of Economy, Investment, and Industry following a meeting on Friday between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Alexander Pulev, Deputy Minister Krasimir Yakimov, the founder of Bulgaria’s leading space technology company “Endurosat” Raycho Raychev, and members of the revived inter-ministerial working group.

A Return to the Project’s Beginnings

For Alexander Pulev, the government’s renewed involvement marks a return to the project’s beginnings. The current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy actually served as acting Minister of Innovation and Growth in the spring of 2023, when the cabinet initiated the procedures and launched the idea of transforming the former military airfield into an industrial zone.

The ‘Dobroslavtsi’ Zone was established in literally two months during the caretaker government more than three years ago. We note that despite the good momentum we set back then, there have been no results in its implementation,” Pulev admitted during the meeting.“Now we will make up for the delay. We will make up for these shortcomings, and we are ready to do so.”

The ministry’s leadership was sharply critical of the administration’s stalling to date.

Deputy Minister Krasimir Yakimov gave the agencies represented in the working group only a few weeks to complete their coordination efforts.

Work with the tightest deadlines, comply with the law, as there will be daily monitoring. Do not write wishful letters, and put an end to unnecessary formalities! We want results and the Dobroslavtsi Economic Zone to open as soon as possible,” Yakimov stated emphatically.

To ensure the process does not stall again, the coordination unit established three years ago – comprising representatives from all ministries and the Sofia Municipality – is now becoming a permanent body. It is part of a large-scale administrative reform currently under discussion in parliament.

The New Focus and Infrastructure

The new vision is for “Dobroslavtsi” not to wait solely for major players from the automotive industry, but to become the home of Bulgaria’s high-tech champions. Pulev made a commitment to the business community, represented by Raycho Raychev, that the state would provide expedited and high-quality administrative services through a new model of public-private partnership.

Despite the delays over the years, the state has secured the initial financial and infrastructure steps for the 290-hectare site. In the summer of 2024, a capital injection of over 10.8 million euros was made into the state-owned company managing the zone.
As of January 2025, a contract with the National Railway Infrastructure Company is also in effect for a conceptual design of a rail link to the zone, valued at just over 152,000 euros excluding VAT.

The government’s goal is to catch up on the schedule and offer a fully completed ecosystem that will retain Bulgaria’s innovative leaders and attract foreign investments with high added value.

Translated with DeepL.