Question Mark over Bulgaria’s Tourism Competitiveness
The strategic location of the region, sharing borders with three countries, and the high percentage of qualified labour force make the prospects for the development of Southwest Planning Region more than promising, according to the analysis. It was carried out in the framework of the draft plan for development of the Southwest Planning Region for 2007-2013, drawn up by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.
The draft was presented at а public debate in the town of Blagoevgrad on European initiatives for incentives for agriculture and tourism sectors, part of a series of similar debates, organized by the Delegation of the European Commission to Bulgaria.
An available national administrative, economic and cultural center, international transport corridors and rich cultural and historical heritage are also listed among the strengths of the Southwest Planning Region.
High mountainous relief and monostructural economies in the agricultural and underdeveloped regions should be overcome to make the most of the available opportunities, according to the analysis.
The systematic evaluation of the factors affecting the region identified the entry into the unified European market and the absorption of EU structural funds among the most promising opportunities for its development.
The findings of the SWOT analysis were confirmed by deputy district governor of Blagoevgrad Marin Preshelkov. He added that the region has traditionally high contribution to the national GDP, making it one of the drivers of national economy.
Bulgarians’ main benefit of EU accession will be the opportunity to participate as equals in the four pillars of the organization - freedom to travel, work, trade and fair competition, John Ayerst, former adviser to the Finance Ministry on the issues of pre-accession.
Turkey and Croatia can’t change all the rules for the other 25 members, as accession is related closely to the regulations of the unified internal market, he added, commenting the news of the launch of membership negotiations with Turkey.
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Source: novinite.bg
