Transport Minister: Aviation Industry is Engine for Any Country’s Growth

Jerusalem, 15 June, 2023 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 15.06.2023 (BTA)
The aviation industry is an engine for the growth of any country, Transport Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov said at the official opening of the second edition of Inter Drone Expo, which started on Thursday at the Inter Expo Center. More than 90 companies, institutes, associations and clubs related to remote-controlled systems and robots are participating in the four-day forum. Several thousand people have registered to attend the event, organizers told BTA.

“Unmanned aerial systems are the future of humanity and I am sure that Bulgaria can host a larger, global forum to showcase our technologies in the field of aviation business,” Gvozdeykov told BTA.

“The envisaged budget that will support technology, research and the absorption of knowledge needed by young people amounts to BGN 2.14 billion and we hope our ministry will be a key partner in supporting this industry,” Innovation Minister Milena Stoycheva told BTA.

National Company Industrial Zones Chief Executive Officer Anotaneta Bares pointed out that her company is the state’s instrument for attracting and retaining investment in Bulgaria. “We are also your trusted partners in your academic and creative journey to develop new technologies,” she added.

United Drone Community Association Chairman Anton Puliyski thanked her for the pledged support and noted that “8 years ago we needed to explain the future of drones, today the focus is on what conveniences for humanity this industry offers.”

“We support startups and help all their industries by developing new models together, emphasizing that they increasingly develop as green products and support ecology,” pointed out Bulgarian Aviation Industry Asociation Chair Todor Ivandjikov.

“I’m the oldest one here and I’m one of the ‘dinosaurs’ in the drone field. Since 1976, we have been developing drones, but we have been working not only on creating them, but also towards making laws in this industry,” said Prof. Dimo Zafirov, head of the Space Research and Technology Institute at BAS. He added that he has a dream to fly a drone taxi in the coming years over Bulgaria.

The organizers showed the ministers around the exhibition halls, where manufacturers displayed their developments and explained their advantages. The forum showcased exhibits related to urban and regional aviation mobility, regulatory framework, agricultural operations, emergency medical delivery and courier services, U-space drone air traffic management, security and defense, etc.

The exhibition will last for four days, with the most attractive part being the demonstrations and competitions on various tracks.