“The most important event in the investment goods and technology sector, not just in Bulgaria, but the entire Balkan area”  - these are the presentation credentials of the 2010 Plovdiv Fair, which will take place from 27^th September to 2^nd October in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv.

The exhibition, which now reaches its 66th edition, will include the participation of a collective of 12 Italian companies, coordinated by the Italian Trade Commission. In an area of approximately 250m² these will display cutting-edge products that are the result of their own experimentation and research. The latest developments in the mechanical engineering sector, that of transport vehicles and those for workshops will be presented to visitors and industry operators, as well as equipment for the ITC sector and for construction, chemicals and water treatment. The main attraction of the Italian stand will be the cars, which will be displayed in the central part of the complex, named “Piazza Italia”.

If the Italian-made cars will doubtlessly attract many enthusiasts, competence and quality will be the instruments offered by the Italian machinery producers present at the fair. Italy is, in fact, Bulgaria’s third-largest trading partner, after Russia and Germany, but in 2009 the economic recession that affected economies all over the world led to a fall of 14.2% in Bulgarian exports to Italy, whereas imports of Italian products fell further still (down by 35%). Even the figures for the first three months of 2010 show a decrease in Italian sales to Bulgaria (down by 9.7%) relegating Italy to fourth place, behind Romania, which has risen one place among suppliers to rank second behind Germany.

The entrepreneurs present at the Plovdiv Fair will therefore have the task of driving the recovery, which also begins with important moments of gathering and exchange among industry operators from various countries. Their task will be helped by the fact that investment goods (machinery, including electrical machines, vehicles, spare parts and equipment) are one of the main sectors in which Bulgaria has decided to invest in terms of imports. It generates, in fact, 6,871.6 million Euros in turnover, the third largest figure after raw materials (textiles, iron and steel) and consumer goods (clothing, furniture and electrical appliances).

The Plovdiv Fair is therefore an important showcase: in 2009 it attracted 69,500 visitors (from 46 countries) and 1,991 exhibitors were present, of whom 785 were Bulgarian and 1,206 foreigners representing 43 countries.

The “National Strategic Reference Framework”, which Bulgaria adopted in 2007 and which will end in 2013, includes investments in infrastructure, transport and the environment, as well as improvement of productivity - opportunities that the Italian companies must show they can respond to by establishing important partnerships.