ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

5410 enterprises and firms from Gabrovo region were active in 2003. The main part of them 4 651(90,5%) are micro enterprises with up to 10 employees. 102 of the active firms belong to the agricultural branch, 1167 – to the industrial and 3871 are engaged with service delivery. Most of the working companies are private - 98,99%. Only 52 firms are municipal.

The net sale revenues for 2003 are 1200,6 million leva and 97,0% of them are from the private sector. The greatest share of revenues comes from the branches “Mining and processing industry”, “Electricity, gas and water-supply” and “Building and construction works”.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (gdp) AND GROSS ADDED VALUE (gav) FOR 2002


In 2002 the companies in Gabrovo region realized gross added value for 524 426 000 leva. The sector of service delivery has the greatest share - 45,43 % of the added value for the region. The Gross domestic product index for Gabrovo region is higher than the average for the country and for North Central Planning Region.

76 enterprises with foreign participation are registered at the end of 2003 in Gabrovo region. Compared to 1999, the number of foreign companies on the territory of Gabrovo region increased twice. Most of them work in the sphere of trade, textile and clothes production, and metallurgy.

178 million dollars are invested in Gabrovo region for the period 1992-2003. The main investors are American Standard, Hamberger, Dzalli, etc. Territorialy speaking the direct foreign investments are concentrated in Sevlievo municipality, where the biggest investor is American Standard, whose Bulgarian enterprises Vidima Ideal and Ideal Standard are specialized in manufacturing sanitary faience and industrial fittings.

DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

The total amount of direct foreign investments in North Central Planning Region (NCPR) is 360 324,3 thousand USD and Gabrovo region takes 42,65% of them leading before the other four regions included in the NCPR.

TOURISM

Tourism is a priority branch for Gabrovo region. The unique combination of nature and climate, historical and cultural sites makes Gabrovo region an attractive destination for Bulgarian and foreign tourists. The National Park “Central Balkan” and Nature Park “Balgarka” are situated on the territory of the region and preserve protected areas, flora and fauna representatives. There are 5 newly-established eco-paths in Gabrovo region that demonstrate the natural beauty of Gabrovo. In 2004-2005 three projects – two for cultural tourism and one for eco tourism – were realized for reconstructing the existing tourist infrastructure, the cultural sites and for popularizing the opportunities for tourism in Gabrovo region. Winter tourism is developed at Uzana ski resort and Lyulyatsi countryside and resthouse. In 2003 the functioning accommodation places in the region are 23 with 1618 beds. In 2003 the nights spent by Bulgarians and foreigners are 114 167.


Tourist sites in the region:
     - The monument of Liberty at Shipka peak
     - Ethnographic Open-air museum Etar
     - Historic and Architectural village Bozhentsi
     - Historical Museum Gabrovo
     - Sokolski monastery “Assumption of Holy Mary”
     - National museum of education – Gabrovo
     - Icon-painting School – Tryavna
     - Museum “Kolyo Ficheto” – Dryanovo
     - Dandalovs’ Houses – Sevlievo
     - Dramatical Theatre “Racho Stoyanov”
     - “Shkoloto” – the old Slaveykov’s school
     - Lafchiev’s house – Dryanovo
     - The town clock belfries in Tryavna and Sevlievo
A lot of turists visit Gabrovo region for the internation cultural events that take place here:
     - State ski orientation championship – Uzana ski resort
     - Qualifications for the world handball championship
     - Gabrovo Carnival
     - International Biennale of humour and satire in arts
     - International Comedy Festival
     - International Dixieland parade
     - International rugby championship
     - Balkan Yoth Festival
     - International fair of crafts
     - Chamber music days
     - International motocross championship

INDUSTRY

The following industrial branches are developed in Gabrovo region
     - Hoisting machines production
     - Production of textile machinery
     - Metal-processing
     - Production of metal-cutting instruments and metal constructions
     - Casting
     - Production of rubber and plastic goods
     - Sanitary faience and sanitary equipment
     - Carriage production
     - Leather and shoe industry

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is not a priority branch in Gabrovo region since agricultural land is scarce and not very generous. The mountainous and semi-mountainous terrains prevail. There are 1 018 192 dka agricultural land in Gabrovo region and only 67% of it is arable. Plant-growing is developed only to satisfy the needs of farming. However the production of wheat, barley and corn is steadily going down in the last years. The plum is the most common perennial plant produced in the region. Cherries, apples and strawberries are also cultivated.

Cattle-breeding is developed in the region - cows, sheep, goats are grown for milking. The following table shows the tendency toward decrease in the number of cattle:

CATTLE-BREEDING BY YEARS


Priorities in agriculture:
     - Attracting foreign and local investments for intensive development of agriculture – grain crops, forage plants, fruit-trees, vineyards;
     - Reconstruction and modernization of cow-farms with milk-processing capacities in conformity with EU requirements;
     - Modernization and development of irrigation systems;
     - Priority production of ecological foodstuffs, which answer the requirements of EU market;
     - Modernizing medium-size enterprises in the villages for high quality processing of fruit and vegetables.

VISION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION


  • Boosting the sustainable and balanced development of Gabrovo region by international cooperation;
  • Stimulating economic growth by:

    •      - technical renovation and growing competitive ability
         - encouraging agriculture and integrating rural areas
         - improving the existing and building new technical and social infrastructure
         - developing tourism
         - pushing up the activity of small and medium-size enterprises and making it international
         - improving ecological conditions, saving energy
         - attracting local and foreign investments
  • Restructuring industrial enterprises and stimulating the private sector