Photo: BTA
On 2 December, a research and development centre for Europe of Nidec, one of the biggest companies in Japan's automotive sector was opened in Sofia. The company makes an initial investment of USD 3.5 million and plans to hire 100 engineers by the end of 2023. The facility at Sofia Airport Center marks Nidec's entry on the Bulgarian market.
Attending the ceremony were President Rumen Radev, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria Narahira Hiroshi, and Nidec President Takashi Furuhashi, among others.
In his speech, President Rumen Radev said that Bulgaria has traditions and big achievements in electronics and electrical engineering, and in the last years that also applies to the automotive sector, which is an indicator of how fast Bulgaria can unleash its potential. Just a decade ago, many did not believe that such an economic sector could exist in Bulgaria.
The President said that the automotive sector generates over 12% of Bulgaria's GDP and the Japanese company will launch it into new orbit: it not only designs electric engines and car components but also develops software for managing the complex processes in contemporary vehicles.
In her address at the opening ceremony, Fandakova said that the new facility is evidence for confidence in the potential of the Bulgarian experts and engineers. "In recent years more and more businesses invest in R&D facilities in Sofia thanks to the expertise of the specialists working here," Fandakova said, adding that the area where the new R&D facility is located, is developing thanks to its infrastructure for whose creation she had a special commitment.
Nidec is a leading manufacturer of electronic devices for vehicles with over 300 subsidiaries in more than 40 countries.