More than sixty German companies have declared interest in investing in Bulgaria, which is a serious change in their number compared to previous years.

This was announced by Bulgarian Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski on Wednesday at the official opening ceremony of the 54^th Kaufland store in Bulgaria, which is also the chain's tenth store in Sofia.

Lukarski noted that the expansion of Kaufland's activity in the country is a recognition of the efforts of the Bulgarian government to establish favourable business environment and to attract quality investments.

Up until now the company has invested BGN 1.2 B in Bulgaria, operates 54 stores and provides employment to 6000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the country.

Apart from these contributions to the Bulgarian economy, Kaufland also provides the opportunity to 850 Bulgarian producers to sell their production in one of the largest retail chains in the country.

This creates preconditions for the establishment and maintenance of competition among Bulgarian entreprises.

German Ambassador to Bulgaria, His Excellency Detlef Lingemann, stated that German investors have long-term perspectives.

He also pointed that the economic relations between Bulgaria and Germany are far from having achieved their full capacity.