Location: Total Area: 94 431 m²

 South-central

 62 kilometers from Maritsa highway

 50 kilometers from Makaza- border checkpoint

 125 kilometers from port of the

Infrastructure

 International Road

 Railway network

 Water supply

 Electricity

 Gas pipeline – gas pipeline for Bulgaria- gas connection

 Telecommunication network

 Coverage of all mobile operators in Bulgaria

General characteristics of the South Central Region and the town of

GDP in the South-Central Region: BGN 13,210 million

The Economic development of the South-Central Region is relatively stable. It is dominated by the contribution of the service’s sector to the share of 55.22% regional GVA, with 11,77% lower than the average share for the country – 66,99%. The Industrial sector is important with its contribution to the regional economy with a share of 37.91% at an average share of 28.31% for the country. In the agrarian sector 6,86% of the GVA for the region is formed, which is significantly higher than the average for the country of 4,69%. Development of tourism in the region is of increasing importance for the economy and employment. The region is an industrial center and one of the fastest growing economies in the country with an average GDP growth of 14%

Total area of Kardzhali: 30,76 km 2 Population of Kardzhali by 31.12.2015г.: 43031

Labour market:

 Average number of employees in labour and service relationship in Kardzhali for 2016: 30599

 Average monthly salary of employees in labour and service relationship in Kardzhali: 842 BGN

 Employees for population between 15 -64 years of age in Kardzhali for 2016: 61 300

 Employment rate for the population aged 15-64 in the town of Kardzhali in 2016: 47,2 %

 Unemployment in Kardzhali for 2016: 7012

 Rate of unemployment in Kardzhali: 1,7% Regional specialization: The following sectors are particularly well developed:

 Mining of metal ores (1 company, 398 employees)

 Production of clothing (144 companies, 4501 employees)

 Production of rubber and plastic products (40 companies, 508 employees)

 Production of non-metal mineral products (33 companies, 439 employees)

 Production of basic metal products (3 companies, 769 employees)

 Production of machines and equipment (17 companies, 695 employees)

 Production of tobacco products.

Foreign direct investment in enterprises in the non-financial sector in Kardzhali 31.12 2016 г.: 153,1 million Euros Development potential:

 The favorable geographic location, the preserved natural resources and the cultural and historical heritage are an opportunity for developing tourism and increasing the potential of the tourism industry;

 Quality of environment and ecological conditions increase attractiveness of the territory for living, business and tourism;

 Transport infrastructure – Trans European transport corridor №9 and Intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and Greece for access to the Port of Alexandroupolis are potentials for development of business and tourism;

 The region borders Greece and Turkey which gives opportunity for active trans-border cooperation. Presence of border checkpoints Makaza and Eledzhe creates good development perspective so the region can become a commerce portal for South Balkans and Asia;

 The Region has significant potential for widespread use of RES. The Climatic conditions are appropriate for development of solar energy production; Transport There are well developed road and railroad transport network. The distance from the nearest highway “Maritsa” is 62km, from where a connection is made to the east with Turkey, and to the west with Central and Western Europe. The property is connected to an asphalt road with first-class road I-5 Kardzhali - Makaza, which is part of the Trans-European transport corridor №9 Helsinki - Sankt Petersburg - Moscow / Pskov - Kiev - Lyubashevka - Chisinau - Alexandroupolis. The Makaza border checkpoint is 50 km away from the town of Kardzhali. There is signed agreement between Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of Greece, which provides plans for building road and railroad networks. That gives opportunity for access to Alexandroupolis port 125km from Kardzhali.

Educational System There are two branches of Sofia University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski” and Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" in Kardzhali; Cultural Heritage Cultural landmarks of the region are the ancient city of Perperikon, the temple “St. Yoan Predtecha“, Monastery “St. Uspenye Bogorodichno“, Monyak fortress, cave “Utroba“ etc. Climate

 Average annual temperture: 18.3 °C

 Average summer temperture: 28 °C

 Average winter temperture: 7,4 °C