Aurubis Bulgaria is one of the big foreign investors in Bulgarian industry. Since 2008, the German concern has invested a total of some EUR 500 million in the modernization of the copper mining facility in Pirdop. Aurubis is the biggest manufacturer of copper and sulfuric acid in Europe and world leader in copper recycling. For Bulgaria, Aurubis is an investor and employer of paramount importance and politicians should take great care not to disappoint the company by inciting economic instability and insecurity.

“The company follows political developments in the country meticulously,” said the newly appointed CEO of Aurubis Bulgaria Tim Kurth in an interview for Radio Bulgaria:

“Political stability is a prime concern to investors in Bulgaria or anywhere in the world,” Tim Kurth says. “Being a large industrial enterprise we want to work with partners, including political partners, who are reliable and trustworthy. It is important to pursue the line chosen and to hold one’s ground. This is only possible when there is constancy and political stability in the country.”

In the words of Tim Kurth, the concern is still having difficulties with the cumbersome administrative procedures which means delays in the implementation of the investment projects.

“If we were to make a list of what we want in future, it would include predictable prices of electric energy, transparent structures and reliable procedures,” he adds. These words suggest Tim Kurth is not happy with the current state of affairs but he quickly dispels this assumption – Bulgaria is an important project for Aurubis which has offices in Europe and the USA.

“The plant in Pirdop is our second biggest copper mining facility, the biggest being in Hamburg. This in itself shows how important our project in your country is,” says Tim Kurth. “In view of transport and logistics costs it is strategically important for us to invest in a facility here because we have easy access to raw materials in Bulgaria but also across the entire Balkan region, via the Black sea ports as well as from other countries.”

One important factor in Aurubis’ decision to enter the Bulgarian market in 2008 is the copper mining tradition in Pirdop and Zlatitsa. The copper mining facility there was built in 1955-1958 and has never stopped functioning. The highly trained staff is another important factor, the Aurubis CEO adds:

“We have wonderful workers. And we have been finding very good partners in the region and the country as subcontractors; with their help we are able to implement our investment projects. Nonetheless we are facing the future and are planning to invest in professional training for young people for our production needs.”

The introduction of the so-called dual system of education was a priority for two previous governments but it is certain to be an issue of prime importance for the next cabinet as well. Introducing the highly successful German system of vocational education in this country is an idea belonging to the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry which has for years been sounding the alarm that its members have been experiencing a shortage of qualified staff in different spheres. The dual system includes both vocational secondary schools, where theory is taught, as well as enterprises where students are able to acquire practical skills in a given profession. And this means considerable costs which is the reason why the project has remained on paper only in this country. Leading companies which are able to set aside more money for vocational education have already given the idea their support. As of next year, Aurubis Bulgaria is ready to open its doors to the first school-goers.

English version: Milena Daynova