64th International Technology Fair Opens in Plovdiv

Sofia News Agency

The International Technology Fair opened on Monday in the city of Plovdiv with a record number of 211 novelties and with an exhibit area 12% larger compared to last year.

Among the 211 novelties, 46 are international. It is expected that 150,000 visitors are going to come and see the week-long exhibits.

3,202 businesses from 45 countries participate in the 64th edition of the Fair. The industrial branches presented the most are the production of machinery and construction.

Italy is this year's partner country and presents over 400 companies at the Fair. The Italian participation was officially opened by the Italian Minister of Economic Development.
Another big attraction is the automobile show presented on an area of 14 dekares and including over 250 automobile models with 13 of them making their debut in Bulgaria.

Investments worth BGN 15 M have made possible the opening of an additional 56 dekares of new exhibit areas and many new attractions, among them a panoramic restaurant and the newest advertisement media for the exhibitors, with three screens using the LED technology.

One of the newest facilities at the Fair, the Vienna Pavilion, located on the grounds of the Fair, near the renewed lake is going to be inaugurated by an exhibit of 50 famous Plovdiv artists. The Pavilion has been built in the style of the buildings from the first Bulgarian Fair. Inside visitors can admire the paintings of Zlatio Boyadzhiev, Tsanko Lavrenov, Encho Pironkov, Dimitar Kirov and other popular masters.

Visitors can also use 1,500 parking spaces with 650 of them located in the first and new multi-level parking garage at the Fair.

"The exhibits at the 64th Plovdiv Fair demonstrate that Bulgaria has many great things to offer, and we, the Bulgarians, would notice them too, sooner or later," said the Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov before the ribbon cutting ceremony. He further pointed out that the Fair shows the integration of the Bulgarian economy in the European business and structures and its first significant achievements.

In addition, the Bulgarian President took part in the official opening of the Italian exhibit and visited the Automobile show. The Bulgarian Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov and the Minister of Transport, Petar Mutafchiev were also among the official guests at the opening of the 64th International Technology Fair in Plovdiv.