2. THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION Bulgaria is divided into 6 planning regions. Varna is the centre of the Northeastern Planning Region.

3. THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION The Region takes first place in Bulgaria in: Arable land and relative percentage of the arable land under cultivation Arable land and relative percentage of the arable land under cultivation Revenues from tourist services Revenues from tourist services Transport Infrastructure Transport Infrastructure

4. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION The Region takes second place in direct foreign investments – 12,8% of all investments in Bulgaria. More of 65% of the investments are made in Varna district. The Region takes second place in direct foreign investments – 12,8% of all investments in Bulgaria. More of 65% of the investments are made in Varna district. SMEs - 36 956 SMEs. Most of them are related to the services (60% of the revenues from the total percentage of sales), followed by industry (35,4%). SMEs - 36 956 SMEs. Most of them are related to the services (60% of the revenues from the total percentage of sales), followed by industry (35,4%).

5. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION Industrial production is 10,26% of the total industrial production of Bulgaria. Industrial production is 10,26% of the total industrial production of Bulgaria. Industries of main importance: food, drinks, chemical substances and products, machine building, textile industry and construction. Most of the industries are concentrated in agglomeration Varna-Devnya-Beloslav. Industries of main importance: food, drinks, chemical substances and products, machine building, textile industry and construction. Most of the industries are concentrated in agglomeration Varna-Devnya-Beloslav.

6. TECHNOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION Clusters: Chemistry, Devnya – soda production, polymers, special plastics, PVC granules, tubes, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Chemistry, Devnya – soda production, polymers, special plastics, PVC granules, tubes, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Marine industry, Varna – shipping, ports, shipbuilding and ship repairing, marine resources, marine sciences Marine industry, Varna – shipping, ports, shipbuilding and ship repairing, marine resources, marine sciences Shoemaking, Dobrich – around 20 small and medium size enterprises Shoemaking, Dobrich – around 20 small and medium size enterprises Glass, Turgovishte Glass, Turgovishte Biotechnologies, Razgrad – antibiotics Biotechnologies, Razgrad – antibiotics

7. RESEARCH PROFILE OF THE NORTHEASTERN PLANNING REGION Higher education institutions - University of Economics, Medical University, Technical University, Naval Academy and Varna Free University; 5 Colleges, Shoumen – 1 University and 1 College, Dobrich - 1 College, Razgrad – 1 College. Higher education institutions - University of Economics, Medical University, Technical University, Naval Academy and Varna Free University; 5 Colleges, Shoumen – 1 University and 1 College, Dobrich - 1 College, Razgrad – 1 College. Scientific institutes– Institute of Water Transport, Shipbuilding Institute, Institute of Metal Research, Institute of Oceanology, Institute of Fishery and Aquacultures, Institute of Hydro and Aerodynamics Scientific institutes– Institute of Water Transport, Shipbuilding Institute, Institute of Metal Research, Institute of Oceanology, Institute of Fishery and Aquacultures, Institute of Hydro and Aerodynamics