Pazardjik, Southern Bulgaria, August 1 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and former President Rossen Plevneliev (2012-2017) cut the ribbon for a car parts plant in Pazardjik Tuesday. The new plant is the third production base of the KOSTAL group in Bulgaria.

The project absorbed an investment of over 32 million euro. It is part of the strategy of the investor to expand production facilities for the needs of the European market. The new plant is expected to create 1,300 jobs.

Borissov congratulated the investors and pointed out that nearly 40,000 jobs in the automobile sector have been opened in recent years in Bulgaria. A plant with 8,000 jobs is about to be opened in Pleven (North Central Bulgaria), he added. Bulgaria is an investment destination and German companies are now building plants across the country and their produce is entirely intended for export. This can only be a joy for a country's economy, the Prime Minister noted. "The interest in Bulgaria is not just in words and the country should respond with qualified, disciplined and smart workforce. Unemployment here has dropped below 7 per cent and there is actually no unemployment now," the Prime Minister said adding that only those who do not want to work are out of job.

Addressing the event, Plevneliev underscored the importance of interaction between central and local authorities and business aimed at economic development and regional prosperity.

The event was also attended by Pazardjik Mayor Todor Popov, Regional Governor Stefan Mirchev, mayors of municipalities in Pazardjik region and representatives of the investor company.