Regional Development Minister Pavlova: Plovdiv and Region Are Key Engine of Economic Growth
Plovdiv and the surrounding region boast a variety of riches, such as cultural and historical heritage, tourism, unique opportunities for economic development, while the analyses show that it is one of the key engines of economic growth in Bulgaria after Sofia, said here on Monday Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova. She was speaking during the national campaign Regions in Growth. According to her, the presence of a motorway and the relative proximity to Sofia create even more perspectives for the region. Bulgaria's South Central Region has the strongest potential for and indicators of economic and GDP growth, Pavlova noted. There are reserves of close to 300 million leva, guaranteed in the form of targeted support for the region. What is new is that each municipality and all the 67 large and average-sized towns already have their integrated plans and have defined the zones for development, the Minister added.
Reconstruction of the Plovdiv - Assenovgrad road can start as early as this October if there are no appeals. This is OP Regions in Growth's largest project under the Regional Road Infrastructure axis, Pavlova said. The project is valued at 25 million leva and the section is 18 km-long.
She further noted that 163 million leva have been reserved under the OP for supporting and reforming the emergency medical services.
Earlier in the day Pavlova, Plovdiv Mayor Ivan Totev and State Fund Agriculture's head Roumen Porozhanov opened an organic farmer's market, which is part of the campaign.
BTA