European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen arrives in Sofia to present the European Commission's Investment Plan for Europe (EC IPE) known as the “Juncker Plan.”

Katainen, whose portfolio includes jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness, will present the EC IPE to business representatives, investors, MPs, diplomats, and journalists at a conference organized in cooperation with Bulgaria’s Economy Ministry.

The conference, called “An investment boost to Europe”, will be attended by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski.

During his visit to Sofia, Katainen will also hold meetings with President Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

He will visit Sofia Tech Park, a science and technology park which is being built with EU funding and is to become a research and development center that will create jobs for highly qualified specialists.

The EC Vice President will also participate in a debate with students from a number of universities on the topic of “The Future of Europe.”

“The European Commission's Investment Plan for Europe is a great opportunity for Bulgaria to direct investments to these parts of the economy which are most in need of job creation and growth, to give a quick start to the development of a number of projects, and to receive risk capital for small and medium-sized enterprises. However, in order to be successful, Bulgaria needs to implement the necessary reforms on a national level to improve the investment climate and business infrastructure. Sofia Tech Park is an example of how EU funding can contribute to these goals through support for hi-tech companies and job creation for highly qualified specialists,” Katainen says, as cited by the BGNES news agency.

During the campaign, Katainen will explain why the EC IPE is necessary, where the money comes from, and which projects will be supported.

He will say how Bulgaria can benefit from the EUR 315 B investment plan and how private investors will be able to take part in the new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).