The Municipality of Yambol joined the Local Economic Development and Marketing of Bulgarian Municipalities Project in early 2005. The Municipality defined the recruitment of investors as a major priority.
An analysis of the needs of the municipality, conducted by trained local economic development specialists, indicated a need to improve the investment climate and attract new investors. The high unemployment rate at that time was another important problem faced by the municipality. The lack of large foreign investments over the past years was also a concern .
The municipal experts , with the exceptional support of FLGR , conducted an assessment of the municipal resources . Effective impact measures were proposed, consistent with the municipal economic development priorities, both in terms of the improvement of services delivered to businesses and in terms of workforce development .
A marketing profile of the municipality was developed . The profile contains information of interest to prospective investors, which provides an orientation in the economic environment and the business development opportunities in Yambol. The municipality got its page on www . invest . bg , where it is publishing information in English and Bulgarian .
The technical assistance and the efforts under the project helped the municipality recruit a large foreign investor , Yazaki ( Japan ). Their manufacturing operation is expected to solve one of the major problems – the high unemployment – and to improve the quality of life in the municipality .
From the very first meeting with the Japanese investors , the Municipality has dealt in a professional manner with the prospect . Maximum efforts were invested in creating trust and generating interest, all advantages and opportunities available in Yambol were presented. The economic features of the region and all other aspects that could have a positive influence on the investor’s final decision were presented as well.
FLGR and the American experts helped the Municipality prepare special incentives for the Japanese company , which was planning to invest EUR 25 million and to create some 2,700 jobs by 2009. The permitting and registration process was accelerated; individual administrative services were provided by the local economic development specialist; assistance in workforce selection and training was rendered; the municipal leadership supported Yazaki by amending public transport routes and by representing the company before the different institutions. Following a year of negotiations and multiple meetings , provision of information and cooperation by municipal leadership , the investor decided to locate in Yambol .
A marketing profile of the municipality was developed . The profile contains information of interest to prospective investors, which provides an orientation in the economic environment and the business development opportunities in Yambol. The municipality got its page on www . invest . bg , where it is publishing information in English and Bulgarian .
The technical assistance and the efforts under the project helped the municipality recruit a large foreign investor , Yazaki ( Japan ). Their manufacturing operation is expected to solve one of the major problems – the high unemployment – and to improve the quality of life in the municipality .
From the very first meeting with the Japanese investors , the Municipality has dealt in a professional manner with the prospect . Maximum efforts were invested in creating trust and generating interest, all advantages and opportunities available in Yambol were presented. The economic features of the region and all other aspects that could have a positive influence on the investor’s final decision were presented as well.
FLGR and the American experts helped the Municipality prepare special incentives for the Japanese company , which was planning to invest EUR 25 million and to create some 2,700 jobs by 2009. The permitting and registration process was accelerated; individual administrative services were provided by the local economic development specialist; assistance in workforce selection and training was rendered; the municipal leadership supported Yazaki by amending public transport routes and by representing the company before the different institutions. Following a year of negotiations and multiple meetings , provision of information and cooperation by municipal leadership , the investor decided to locate in Yambol .
The pilot plant for automotive electrical equipment is already functioning . The construction of the Yambol plant has commenced. Currently, Yazaki Bulgaria Ltd. is employing over 200 who are being trained in Turkey, Portugal and Lithuania. 500 will be employed by July, with the number reaching 2,700 by 2009. The capacity of the Yambol plant is 1,200,000 wire harnesses a year. The Municipality of Yambol is providing support for the strict observation of all commitments . The commitments assumed by the Municipality and incorporated in a Memorandum include: infrastructure construction and improvement; power supply to the lot; provision of public transport for plant employees. The Japanese investor is planning to commence operations in the new plant in October, 2007. The plant will be for automotive wire harnesses, on a 51,400 m2 lot. The facilities will cover 28,000 m2, the remainder will be parking lots and green areas. The manufacturing involves mostly manual assembly operations and does not involve any hazardous emissions .
The Municipality of Yambol is transforming the proactive , professional approach to business recruitment and the support to local companies into a policy. The Municipality is also making targeted efforts to create a favorable investment climate Ямбол.
Other recruited investors include Miroglio , BILLA and Kaufland . Some local companies , such as Vidona Corp . (refined and non-refined sunflower oil), Technostroy Engineering 99 Corp. (construction and building materials), Papas Oil Vorp. (refined oils and greases), Hidroelementi i Sistemi Corp. (hydraulic cylinders, devices and systems), Karil & Tanya Ltd. (ice cream), Geostroy Engineering Ltd. (construction and building installations), Cotonos Industry Bulgaria Corp. (garments), Yasha (women’s clothes), Hydrosystem Corp. (hydraulic and telescopic cylinders and parts) are also expanding their operations in the municipality .
The Municipality keeps supporting local business development and expansion and increasing its own administrative capacity for successful promotion and business recruitment .
For contacts :
8600 Yambol ,
7, Georgi S . Rakovski Street
Kiril Todorov
Mayor
Tel . ++ 359 46 681 111
Bistra Zhelyazkova
Economic Development Expert
Tel . ++ 359 46 681 321
www.obshtinayambol.org
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