30.06.2015

Bulgaria will contribute EUR 100 million to projects funded under European Fund for Strategic Investments which is the key element of the Investment Plan for Europe. The contribution will be in the form of co-financing of approved by the Bulgarian Development Bank projects. A number of Member States among which Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland and Slovakia have already announced their intentions to participate in the Fund through their national development banks.

National development banks are essential for investment promotion. They have the necessary expertise for implementing the Investment Plan for Europe, for ensuring the effective use of public resources and encouraging private investors.

On 24 June 2015, the European Parliament adopted the Regulation on the European Fund for Strategic Investments. It is planned that the Fund will be launched at the beginning of September, and it is expected to mobilise additional public and private investments over the following years, in Europe and also in Bulgaria, for the implementation of projects of major social and economic importance and also of projects encouraging new jobs, contributing to growth in the long run and enhancing competitiveness. The Fund will also contribute to the development of SMEs that are the backbone of any economy and account for substantial share of GDP.