Business ·
Little new: EUR 2m line in Gotse Delchev, unemployment falls to 5.43%
Pirinplast commissions a EUR 2m production line. Registered unemployment was 5.43% at end-September. NSI: 31% fewer new firms in Q3. No major new plants were announced.
Total of projects with stated value477.5EUR m
New jobs (stated)2,580
Registered unemployment, end-Sep 20265.43% −0.04 %
Inflation (CPI) Sep 2026, year on year5.7%
The only new investment since Friday morning that we found: Pirinplast in Gotse Delchev (Blagoevgrad province) has commissioned a new extrusion line for polypropylene (a plastic) sheets worth EUR 2m (reported on 16 October). The company exports over 95% of its output. No new jobs were mentioned.
We have also added a project from Thursday afternoon: a defence technology centre worth EUR 43.47m will be built in Kazanlak, funded by the EU Just Transition Fund (aid for coal regions). Construction is due to finish by end-2028; around 60 researchers will be needed. With both projects, and after dropping older entries, the table total is EUR 477.5m.
Labour market: registered unemployment was 5.43% (154,096 people) at end-September, down from 5.47% in August, the Employment Agency said on Friday. Vacancies reported to labour offices rose 12%. But according to the statistics office NSI, job vacancies in the economy were 10.8% lower in Q2 than a year earlier. In Q3, 7,968 new firms were registered – 31% fewer than a year before.
Deputy PM Alexander Poulev opened a business forum on defence and space technology in Baltimore (USA) – with no specific projects, amounts or jobs. Eurostat confirmed that Bulgarian industrial output in August was 5.4% lower than a year earlier – one of the steepest falls in the EU.
| Region | Company / project | Sector | Amount (EUR m) | Jobs (− = cuts) | Status / date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blagoevgrad (Gotse Delchev) | Pirinplast AD – new extrusion line for polypropylene fluted sheets (width up to 2,100 mm) | Plastics / packaging | 2.0 | – | NEW: commissioning reported 16 Oct 2026 (Pirin Info, Standart); EUR 2m – in total; over 95% exported; jobs not stated |
| Stara Zagora (Kazanlak) | TsVP – Kazanlak EOOD – defence technology centre with 8 labs (EU Just Transition Fund) | Defence / research | 43.5 | 60 | ADDED: 3e-news, 15 Oct 2026, 14:48; EUR 43.47m – in total; about 60 scientists needed (per Dimitar Kirkov) – in job count; construction by end-2028, equipment 2029 |
| Burgas | Lukoil Neftochim Burgas and other Lukoil subsidiaries – US extends general licence to 24 Apr 2027 | Refining / fuels | – | – | BTA, 16 Oct 2026, 07:14; continued operation, not a new investment – not in total; sanctions on Lukoil remain; staff numbers not given |
| Nationwide | 13 state-backed projects (IPA; companies and regions not named) | Various sectors | 266.3 | 1,840 | Council of Ministers decision of 14 Oct 2026 (BTA); amount and jobs are investor commitments ("about"); aid amount not stated |
| Belovo and Velingrad municipalities (eastern Rila) / Chaira PSHPP | NEK – Yadenitsa dam and reversible tunnel to Chaira reservoir: state guarantees up to EUR 228.1m | Energy / storage | – | – | decision of 14 Oct 2026, guarantees in 2027 budget; loan guarantee, not project value – not in total; tender value EUR 350m excl. VAT (Mediapool) |
| Sofia province (Novi Han, Elin Pelin municipality) | dormakaba (Switzerland) – new plant for automatic entrance systems (revolving and sliding doors), over 22,000 m² | Engineering / building technology | – | 200 | opened 8 Oct 2026, reported 13 Oct 2026 (Standart, DBR); team to exceed 200 people; amount not disclosed – not in total |
| Sofia province (Elin Pelin) | Izida Ceramica – tile plant expansion and upgrade, new SACMI CONTINUA+ line (capacity from 6.5m to c. 11m m²/year) | Building materials / ceramics | 20.0 | – | ADDED LATE (not new): company statement 13 Oct 2026 (Money.bg; Standart 14 Oct); "over EUR 20m" – counted as 20; timing and jobs not given |
| Nationwide (stated in Albena, Dobrich province) | Investment Programme for municipal projects – EUR 101m paid out in one month (over 560 payments, over 300 projects) | Public funding / municipal infrastructure | – | – | 12 Oct 2026 (BTA); contracts for 2,370 of 3,492 projects; payouts, not a new project – not in total |
| Nationwide (announced in Sliven) | Innovation Ministry – nearly EUR 83m for green technology in micro, small and medium firms (Ivan Vasilev) | Funding / SMEs, green technology | – | – | 10 Oct 2026 (BTA); machinery, equipment, software; programme, not a project – not in total; application date not given |
| Sliven / south-east Bulgaria | Fund of Funds – over EUR 120m for projects in south-eastern Bulgaria (stated by Alexander Poulev at Sliven forum) | Funding / infrastructure, SMEs | – | – | 10 Oct 2026; funding pool, not a single project – not in total; no companies or jobs named |
| Sofia province (Pirdop) | Aurubis Bulgaria – copper tankhouse expansion, EU strategic project | Metallurgy / raw materials | – | – | EU status 9 Oct 2026; per DBR (14 Oct 2026) cathode copper up c. 50% to 340,000 t/year; EUR 120m investment already announced in 2023 (not in total); no job figure |
| Stara Zagora (Kazanlak) | Arsenal AD – new automated nitrocellulose line (part of a programme of over EUR 300m) | Defence | – | – | opened 8 Oct 2026, reported 9 Oct; whole programme over EUR 300m (not in total – cost of the line not given); no job figure |
| Shumen (near Smyadovo) | Karash Invest – planned gunpowder plant, added to list of strategic sites | Defence | – | – | Council of Ministers decision of 7 Oct 2026; amount and jobs not stated |
| Burgas / Karlovo (Plovdiv province) | Rheinmetall – gunpowder and 155mm ammunition plants | Defence | – | – | Per Mediapool (5 Oct 2026) gunpowder plant moves to Burgas; per Valentin Radev unclear how far the ammunition plant near Karlovo will go ahead (c. 1,000 jobs expected there) |
| Sliven (industrial park) | Sugarland – warehouse and trade base (4,976 m² plot) | Food and drinks distribution | 0.7 | 10 | Reported 2 Oct 2026; construction to start within 12 months, completion within 36 |
| Nationwide | Textile, clothing and leather industry (BATOK) – firms cutting staff, closing | Textiles and clothing | – | – | Letter to PM and 8 ministers (2 Oct 2026), reported again 5 Oct 2026; no specific figures |
| Veliko Tarnovo (Lyaskovets) | Armako Industries – production expansion | Metal and plastic parts | 50.0 | – | Planned, announced 2 Oct 2026 (over EUR 50m) |
| Dobrich | Magic Flame – Klas Olio: sunflower oil and meal plant | Food processing | 20.0 | 60 | Opened 25 Sep 2026; 60 jobs (other report: 100) |
| Ruse | Bulmarket Group – LVZ industrial park (over EUR 60m; over 210 staff) | Rail equipment | 60.0 | 210 | Opened 1 Oct 2026 |
| Kardzhali | VESS Modules – solar module plant (1 GW/year) | Solar manufacturing | 15.0 | 200 | Opened 1 Oct 2026; c. 300 jobs at full capacity |
| Indicator | vs prior month (%; industry and construction seasonally adj.) | vs year earlier (%) | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newly registered firms, Q3 2026 (7,968; col. 1: vs prior quarter) | −29.7 % | −31.0 % | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Firms declared insolvent/bankrupt, Q3 2026 (791; col. 1: vs prior quarter) | −18.1 % | −22.1 % | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Job vacancies, Q2 2026 (18,700; rate 0.8%) | – | −10.8 % | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI), September 2026 – final | −0.2 % | +5.7 % | 14 Oct 2026 |
| Inflation (HICP, EU method), September 2026 | 0.0 % | +5.6 % | 14 Oct 2026 |
| Industrial production, August 2026 | +0.7 % | −5.4 % | 9 Oct 2026 |
| – manufacturing, August 2026 | +0.8 % | −6.1 % | 9 Oct 2026 |
| – energy (power, heat, gas), August 2026 | +10.7 % | +42.4 % | 9 Oct 2026 |
| – mining and quarrying, August 2026 | −19.7 % | −54.1 % | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Industrial production, July 2026 | −3.0 % | −6.8 % | 9 Oct 2026 (per BTA) |
| Construction output, August 2026 | +0.8 % | +4.2 % | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Retail sales, August 2026 (comparable prices) | +0.3 % | +5.9 % | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Region | Registered, September 2026 (Employment Agency) | Registered, August 2026 | Labour Force Survey 2025 (NSI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 5.43 | 5.47 | 3.5 |
| Yambol | 5.20 | – | – |
| Stara Zagora | – | 4.93 | – |
| Dobrich | – | 4.20 | – |
| Veliko Tarnovo (labour office area) | – | 4.00 | – |
For information only, not investment advice. Prices as of the time stated, not real-time quotes.
Sources
- Pirin Info – Pirinplast nimmt Hightech-Linie in Betrieb, 2 Mio. Euro (16.10.2026)
- Standart – Pirinplast, Goze Deltschew, 2 Mio. Euro (16.10.2026, 17:24)
- BTA – Registrierte Arbeitslosigkeit Ende September 2026: 5,43 %, 154.096 Personen (16.10.2026, 17:21)
- BTA – Nearly 14,000 unemployed start work in September, vacancies +12 % (16.10.2026, 18:00)
- BTA – Jambol: Arbeitslosigkeit September 2026 5,2 % (16.10.2026, 18:06)
- BTA – NSI: Offene Stellen 2. Quartal 2026: 18.700, −10,8 % J/J (16.10.2026, 12:18)
- DBR – NSI: Neue Firmen 3. Quartal 2026 −31 %, Insolvenzen −22 % (16.10.2026)
- BTA – Pulew in Baltimore: Forum Rüstung/Raumfahrt, keine Projekte genannt (16.10.2026, 18:02)
- 3e-news – Kasanlak: Zentrum für Verteidigungstechnik, 43,47 Mio. Euro (15.10.2026, 14:48)
- Novinite – Eurostat: Industrieproduktion Bulgarien August −5,4 % J/J, +0,8 % M/M (16.10.2026)
- BTA – US extends authorization for transactions with Lukoil's foreign subsidiaries until 24 April 2027 (16.10.2026, 07:14)
- Fakti.bg – USA verlängern Lizenz für Lukoil in Bulgarien bis 2027, betroffene Firmen (15.10.2026, 22:28)
- BTA – Pulew in Washington: bereit für gemeinsame Produktion, keine Projekte genannt (15.10.2026, 11:35)
- BTA – Regierung schlägt Mindestlohn 660 Euro für 2027 vor, Entwurf (15.10.2026, 08:49)
- Money.bg – Izida Ceramica: über 20 Mio. Euro für Werk bei Sofia (13.10.2026, 12:25)
- Standart – Izida Ceramica, Elin Pelin, über 20 Mio. Euro (14.10.2026, 07:59)
- BTA – Kabinett unterstützt 13 Investitionsprojekte, rund 266.310.000 Euro, rund 1840 Stellen (14.10.2026, 17:52)
- Trud – Beschlüsse des Ministerrats vom 14.10.2026 (13 Projekte, Garantien NEK)
- Ruse.news – 13 Investitionsprojekte: Zusage für 1840 Stellen (14.10.2026, 18:34)
- BTA – Staatsgarantien für PSW Tschaira als strategisches Energieprojekt, bis 228.086.452 Euro (14.10.2026, 17:58)
- Mediapool – Staatsgarantien 228 Mio. Euro für Stausee Jadeniza; Wert des Vergabeverfahrens 350 Mio. Euro (14.10.2026, 19:50)
- Eurocom – Kabinettsbeschlüsse: Mehrausgaben 2026 und Garantien für PSW Tschaira (14.10.2026, 17:43)
- NEK – Öffentliche Anhörung zum UVP-Bericht Projekt Jadeniza: Gemeinden Belowo und Welingrad, Ost-Rila (22.6.2017)
- DBR – Aurubis: 50 % mehr Kupfer in Pirdop, Stromversorgung (14.10.2026)
- BTA – Inflation September 2026: −0,2 % M/M, 5,7 % J/J; HVPI 0,0 % / 5,6 % (14.10.2026, 11:43)
- Euronews Bulgaria – NSI: 5,7 % Jahresinflation im September (14.10.2026)
- Standart – Neues Werk bei Sofia: dormakaba in Nowi Han, über 200 Beschäftigte, eröffnet 8.10. (13.10.2026, 17:38)
- DBR – Über 200 Arbeitsplätze: neues Werk für automatische Türen in Nowi Han (13.10.2026)
- BTA – Bürgermeister und Staat in Albena: 101 Mio. Euro in einem Monat für über 300 Gemeindeprojekte (12.10.2026, 14:21)
- BTA – Fast 83 Mio. Euro für grüne Technologien in KMU, Minister Wassilew (10.10.2026, 14:16)
- 24 Chasa – Pulew: über 120 Mio. Euro aus dem Fonds der Fonds für Südostbulgarien (10.10.2026, 15:41)
- Standart – Sliwen: Mittlerer Korridor, 120 Mio. Euro, Forum mit Pulew (10.10.2026, 17:35)
- Economic.bg – Kupfer aus Pirdop in EU-Rohstoffplänen, 120 Mio. Euro, 230.000→340.000 t (9.10.2026, 16:45)
- Club Z – Pirdop-Projekt erhält EU-Strategiestatus (9.10.2026, 11:22)
- BTA – New Nitrocellulose Plant at Arsenal (9.10.2026, 10:45)
- 24 Chasa – Pulew eröffnet Nitrozellulose-Anlage bei Arsenal (9.10.2026)
- News.bg – Neue Nitrozellulose-Anlage bei Arsenal (9.10.2026)
- Dir.bg – Arsenal investiert über 300 Mio. Euro (9.10.2026)
- novini247 – Pulew bei Arsenal, Eröffnung „gestern“ (9.10.2026)
- Standart – Über 300 Mio. Investitionen bei Arsenal (9.10.2026)
- ShumenOnline – Karash Invest in Liste strategischer Objekte (7.10.2026)
- Novinite – Gunpowder plant near Smyadovo approved (8.10.2026)
- BTA – Industrieproduktion August 2026: −5,4 % J/J, +0,7 % M/M (9.10.2026, 11:21)
- BTA – Bauproduktion August 2026: +4,2 % J/J (9.10.2026, 11:33)
- Investor.bg – Industrieproduktion August (9.10.2026)
- NSI – Pressemitteilungen: Einzelhandelsumsatz August 2026 +0,3 % zum Vormonat (7.10.2026)
- BTA – Einzelhandelsumsatz August 2026: +0,3 % M/M, +5,9 % J/J (NSI, 7.10.2026, 11:21)
- Mediapool – Fragen um das Rheinmetall-Werk; Munitionswerk bleibt bei Karlowo (5.10.2026)
- Plovdiv24 – Textilbranche: Firmen bauen ab und schließen (5.10.2026)
- Focus – BATOK-Brief an Premier und 8 Minister (2.10.2026)
- Blitz – Näherei-Firmen bauen ab und schließen (3.10.2026)
- Standart – Sugarland, Industriepark Sliwen, 700.000 Euro (2.10.2026)
- BTA – Pulew: Rheinmetall-Werk binnen 30 Monaten (4.10.2026)
- BTA – Registrierte Arbeitslosigkeit August 2026: 5,47 % (17.9.2026)
- BTA – Weliko Tarnowo: Arbeitslosigkeit August 4 % (16.9.2026)
- KarlovoPress – Pulew: Rheinmetall-Werk binnen 30 Monaten (5.10.2026)
- Focus – Pulew: neues Gelände bei Burgas für Rheinmetall (2.10.2026)
- Burgasnews – Pulverwerk Rheinmetall bei Burgas (4.10.2026)
- Mediapool – Kabinett verlegt Rheinmetall-Werk nach Burgas (2.10.2026)
- Standart – Armako Industries Ljaskowez (3.10.2026)
- Economic.bg – Direktinvestitionen Jan.–Juli 2026: 3,45 Mrd. Euro, BNB (18.9.2026)
- Standart – VESS Modules Kardschali, ca. 200 Stellen (2.10.2026)
- Standart – Bulmarket LVZ Russe (2.10.2026)
- Fakti.bg – Armako Industries, über 50 Mio. Euro (2.10.2026)
- RegNews – Pulew bei Armako in Ljaskowez (2.10.2026)
- DBR – Armako Ljaskowez (3.10.2026)
- 24 Chasa – Werk Magic Flame – Klas Olio, Dobritsch (25.9.2026)
- Novinite – Dobrich plant, 60 jobs (26.9.2026)
- BTA – Bulmarket LVZ Ruse (1.10.2026)
- Money.bg – VESS Modules Kardzhali (1.10.2026)
- BTA – Rheinmetall project (2.10.2026)
- BTA – Stara Zagora unemployment August 2026
- BTA – Dobrich unemployment August 2026
- NSI – Arbeitskräfteerhebung 2025 (Bulgarien, 3,5 %)
- novini247 – Direktinvestitionen Jan.–Juli 2026 (3,448 Mrd., davon 2,622 Mrd. reinvestiert; BNB vorläufig)
- NSI – Inflation September 2026, Schnellschätzung: 5,6 % J/J, −0,3 % M/M; endgültig am 14.10.2026 (1.10.2026)
- Economic.bg – Bulgaria Receives a Six-Month Extension of the Lukoil Exemption (bis 24.4.2027; vier bulgarische Lukoil-Firmen)
