Representatives from some of the leading companies in Perugia, Italy are looking for Bulgarian partners in opening various production facilities in Sofia and are ready to invest in new ventures. Opportunities for collaboration were discussed during a meeting between a business delegation from Perugia and the Invest Sofia Agency on October, 25 in Sofia. The meeting was attended by representatives of the municipalities of Perugia and Sofia.
“Sofia is working hard to promote entrepreneurial initiatives”, said Mr. Nikolay Stoynev, Vice Chairman of the Sofia City Council and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sofia Privatization and Investment Agency, who led the discussion.
The Italian entrepreneurs came from the biofuels, construction and automotive industries.
Fbm, a company that produces supplies for the construction industry is researching the opportunities for opening a production plant in Bulgaria, said the company’s Vice President Mr. Meneghini during the meeting. The company operates on the Italian and the European markets, as well as in Russia and the Middle East.
Most of the Italian business representatives plan to use their potential production fascicles in Sofia and Bulgaria as a launch pad for entering the markets of Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East. 
Some of the companies present already sell their production in Bulgaria through third countries, but would now like to have a direct representative.
Among the business representatives were companies that are already present on the Bulgarian market. A company that produces traffic signaling equipment already employs 130 people in its two production facilities; in Novi Iskar, near Sofia, and in Plovdiv. Another company, Economy 2006 built an apartment building in Sofia, near Maria Louisa Boulevard and is looking for a partner in the development of a second project in the same area.
“I am absolutely charmed by what I saw in Sofia”, said Mr. Antonio Cascianelli, a candidate for Honorary Council of Bulgaria for Umbria Region. Professor Michele Fioroni, City Council member from the Comune di Perugia shared Perugia’s experience in constructing one of the best digital infrastructures in Italy, as well as the city’s practices in cooperation between the business and the local universities.
Vladimir Danailov, the director of Sofia Investment and Privatization Agency described Sofia’s efforts to attract high value added industries and the Agency’s role in offering specific, case by case support to individual investors. Mr. Danailov also mentioned the key investment advantages of Sofia – competitive tax rate, fast growing IT industry and high percentage of young people with advanced degrees, living and working in the city.
After the meeting representatives from Sofia Investment Agency sat down with each investor to draw a specific plan for future cooperation.
