Second Mechatronics Sectoral Working Group PP4 Bulgaria Economic Forum 5 July 2011, Brasov, Romania

Regional Specialization: Cluster Mechatronics and Automation – Region Centre: Blagoevgrad (Head Office: Sofia) Electric Vehicles Industrial Cluster – Region: Bulgaria (Head Office: Sofia)

Sub-sectors of interest: Automation of industrial processes; Robotization of assembly and transport operations; Development and implementation of specialized software, hardware and mechanical systems; Production of different kinds of machines and tools; Development and implementation of information and telecommunication systems for visualization and control; Implementation of high-tech products and services developed in research organizations; Production of electric vehicles.

Mechatronics clusters in Bulgaria: Cluster Mechatronics and Automation Electric Vehicles Industrial Cluster

Scientific bodies and relevant NGOs participating in the clusters and playing important role in promoting competence: -Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; -Technical University of Sofia - GIS - Transfer Center Foundation - Applied Research and Communications Fund - High Transport School “Todor Kableshkov”, Sofia -Angel Kanchev University, Ruse - Central Laboratory on Applied Physics, Plovdiv

Cluster Activities: Stimulating further diversification of the members’ activities; Promotional activities for enlargement and attracting of new members; Establishing contacts with public bodies; Creating contacts with foreign partners.

RFG in Sofia Representatives of both clusters participated in the RFG. They expressed their interest in the project activities and their willingness to be involved in the project implementation at transnational level. Mechatronics and automation cluster wishes to partake in the PEV event and to become part of a transnational mechatronics cluster. Electric Vehicles Industrial Cluster still hesitates.

Expectations of the cluster members, associations and companies -new business contacts; -new markets; -free information, exchange of good practices and experience; -joint participation in financed by EU and other donors projects; -greater cooperation on R+D/University Research

Potential signatories: Bulgaria Economic Forum – Chairman George Tabakov Bulgarian Association of Business Clusters – Chairperson Genoveva Hristova Cluster Mechatronics and Automation – Chairman Venzislav Slavkov

Many thanks for your kind attention ! Nadia Dandolova Bulgaria Economic Forum