We need investments in infrastructure to allow freedom of mobility of people and goods

Our country must focus on overcoming infrastructure barriers that limit the mobility of people and goods. This includes capital expenditures for constructing roads, railways, ports and airports, and creating favorable conditions for concessions and public-private partnerships.”

This was stated by Emil Angelov, CEO of Glavbolgarstroy Holding, during the fifth edition of the Sofia Economic Forum, which was held today in the Bulgarian capital.

During the panel called "Accelerating Economic Competitiveness in Bulgaria. Challenges and Opportunities", which was attended by representatives of the political and business environment, he outlined two strategic approaches to improving Bulgaria's economic competitiveness in Southeast Europe and globally - development of transport and digital infrastructure 

According to Angelov, building a reliable digital infrastructure is essential, especially when it comes to ensuring equal access to information and services in remote areas.

Education reform

Emil Angelov emphasized the need for reform in the Bulgarian education system so it can meet the needs of businesses and provide modern training for young professionals. "Revising the concept of vocational training and linking it to the real needs of the labor market is essential," he emphasized.

In addition, Angelov appealed for the optimization of the regulations and administrative procedures in order to facilitate the attraction of qualified personnel from abroad. He also emphasized the need to impose effective and gradual family policies and measures that would encourage higher birth rates and would be linked to the education of future generations.

Competitiveness analysis

During the forum, Emil Angelov presented data from the Institute for Management Development (IMD), in Switzerland, which has ranked Bulgaria 58th out of 67 countries analyzed. He noted that Bulgaria has lost 10 positions compared to 2020 and 20 positions compared to 2009, highlighting the lack of progress over the past three years.

We need to implement urgent measures aimed at investing in infrastructure projects, improving fiscal discipline, joining the eurozone and digitalizing public services," he said.

A call for public consensus

Angelov believes that achieving public consensus on key issues, such as political stability, legal certainty, and effective law enforcement, is critical for the country's future development.

Main highlights of Sofia Economic Forum V

The forum was opened by Symeon Tsomokos, the founder and president of the Delphi Economic Forum, and H.E. Alexios Marios Liberopoulos, the Ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria. The event brought together leading Bulgarian and international politicians and entrepreneurs, who discussed key topics such as Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone, the role of foreign investment, the management of migration processes and the impact of global changes on the regional economy.

Among the lecturers were Mariya Gabriel - Minister of Foreign Affairs (2023-2024), Rosen Plevneliev - President of Bulgaria (2012-2017), H.E. Irene Maria Plank - Ambassador of Germany to Bulgaria, Sergey Stanishev - former Prime Minister and MEP, Solomon Passy - founder of the Atlantic Club, and others.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov