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Despite its weak start, the Bulgarian automotive industry has turned into a leading one in this country at times when the growth in sectors such as tourism and real estate is almost flat. Around 50 companies including small subsidiaries, international suppliers and small local manufacturers employ almost 9 000 people in Bulgaria. The industry made sales worth EUR 1 billion in 2011 and accounts for nearly 4% of the total export volumes of Bulgaria, shows data of the British financial daily newspaper Financial Times. Clients of the Bulgarian automotive industry are companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ford, Audi, Citroen, Peugeot and Renault. The automotive suppliers are attracted to do business in Bulgaria by the low expenses on manpower as compared to other EU countries as well as by the 10% flat tax rate and the stable Bulgarian currency, which was fixed to the Euro in the monetary board. Moreover, foreign companies can employ many young engineers in this country. On another hand many skillful and experienced experts in this industry are now returning home due to the higher unemployment in the USA and the EU.

The general decline of manufacturing in the EU has had a major impact on Bulgaria and its furniture industry, which employed 90,000 people in the 1980s but today employs only 47,000. Since 2001, more than 3000 furniture companies in Bulgaria have closed. Presently, unemployment rates in the regions where the furniture industry is centered range from 13-15%. The productivity per worker in the furniture industry in Bulgaria is approximately EUR 18 000 per annum, while according to Eurostat, in Germany it approximates EUR 160 000 per worker.

Approximately 40% of Bulgarian furniture production is export-oriented, mainly to Italy, France, Germany, the Arab countries and the USA. Last year development of export of furniture and wooden products from Bulgaria indicated a rise. Subject to export are mainly elements for pallets, boards and to a smaller extent - dimensional lumber. In terms of furniture, export is made of chairs, upholstered and massive wood furniture, mostly oak. Till June import of furniture dropped by 40%, while export - rise by 30%. In respect of timber, import indicates a drop by 50%, while export from Bulgaria increased by the minimum level of 8%.

Scientists have hot found a remedy for cancer yet. Doctors apply different cancer treatment methods such as surgeries, laser therapy, Chemotherapy. Meanwhile, many patent medicines, which make the life in remission longer, are sold on the market. One of these medications was invented in Bulgaria. Researches of Professor Spartak Hadjiev lie in the bottom of this valuable discovery. Hadjiev dedicated 50 years of his life to find a vaccine against cancer. His deed was continued by his daughter associate professor Nasya Hadjieva and his grandson- associate professor doctor Mihail Petrov. In 2012 their medicine received a European license. A month ago its creators received the Bulgarian award Inventor of the year.” Our product actually stimulates the immune system to deal with the cancer cells. It practically teaches the human body to fight with foreign cells during the decease and distinguish own cells from foreign ones “, says associate professor Nasya Hadjieva. In her view small quantities of this vaccine help the body to find the foreign cells.

Bulgaria has good hopes about the operational programme” Science and Education for Smart Growth”, because there is a huge political will for its implementation”, said the Bulgarian Minister of Education Sergey Ignatov at the presentation of this concept to the scientific and academic community in Bulgaria. The biggest aim of the new operational programme for the period 2014-2020 is to bring smart growth in Bulgaria and to establish a society, based on knowledge, through an increased quality of the scientific researches and better education. The programme is expected to bring considerable benefits to the people, to create new jobs, boost the competitive power of the Bulgarian work force and lead to higher birth rate.