Prof. PhD Yuliana Yarkova, Faculty of Economics, Trakia University Stara Zagora Students: Victoria Tashikova, Regional Economic student Monica Koeva, Regional Economic student

1. Presentation of the socioeconomic
development of the
Region of Stara Zagora
Prof. PhD Yuliana Yarkova,
Faculty of Economics,
Trakia University Stara Zagora
Students:
Victoria Tashikova, Regional Economic student
Monica Koeva, Regional Economic student
December 2012

2. Assessment of the Socio-economic Development of the
Regions in Bulgaria

3. Municipalities in the Stara Zagora Region

4. General Information
about the Municipalities in SZ Region

5. Typology of the Municipalities in SZ Region

6. Trends in the Economic Development of the
Municipalities of the Stara Zagora Region
This analysis aims to:
 Identify the level of economic development of the municipalities
of the Stara Zagora Region and the problems facing them, as well
as to outline perspectives and opportunities;
 Present arguments and justification for the allocation of
additional national resources to reduce intraregional differences
in socio-economic development;
 Draw priorities, aims and tasks for national and regional
development policy for the 2014-2020 programming period.

7. Base indexes of NSR Dynamics by
Municipality, with 2000 as Base

8. Relative Share of the Municipalities in NSR
for Stara Zagora Region

9. Index of NSR/pp (%),
National Average = 100%

10. NSR/pp in the Municipalities – Stara Zagora
Region, Thousands of BGN

11. Employment and Unemployment

12. Level and Dynamics of the Average Yearly Working Wage

14. Development level of the rural regions
(for determining regions for targeted support)

15. Overall Human Development Index in the Municipalities
of Stara Zagora Region
Urban municipalities have higher value of the index
than the average of the region(0,793);
Rural municipalities – lower than average (0,753-
0,783);
Maximum value of the index in Bulgaria - (0,820);
Minimum value of the index in Bulgaria - (0,718);

16. Summary of results
• Urban municipalities – among the most actively
developing municipalities;
• Most rural municipalities in the Stara Zagora region
cannot reach the borderline value for average level of
economic development (70% of the average value for
the country) and can be proposed as regions for targeted
support during the actualization of the Regional
Development Strategy for the Stara Zagora region;
• The state of the local economy is the decisive factor
for the overall socio-economic development of the
municipalities;
• Economic operators are included in the SME category
(99.47%)

17. In the NSR Structure
• Energy
• Mining and quarrying
• Manufacturing (food processing, machinery and
equipment, electrical appliances, metals and metal
products, textile and clothing, furniture)
• Trade
• Construction
• Agriculture – a relatively fixed share of NPP structure – 4-5%
Positive trends
• NPP/pp is growing in absolute terms
• The unemployment level has decreased during the observed
period
• The working wage is growing in absolute terms

18. The future structural changes and the
vision for the future economic development
of the municipalities of the Stara Zagora
region are based on the following:
- Unique spatial conditions;
- Resource endowments;
- Historical background and traditions of the
local economy.

19. Key Issues and Challenges
• Clear disproportions and inequalities are emerging in
the socio-economic development of municipalities and
settlements. In some, the economic situation is dire,
while in others economic growth and employment
proceeds at a very good pace.
• Demographic problems - depopulation and aging in
some municipalities and settlements. The provision of
the necessary services is handicapped.
• Lower Per Capita Income. The weak sources of local
income put the municipalities in greater dependence on
the national budget.

20. • The decentralization process is still unable to meet
the needs of the local development.
The results of decentralization themselves can be said to
be imperceptible, and in some places dubious.
• The IC infrastructure is lagging behind in some
areas, and the transport infrastructure is not sufficient.
Some of the regions still face problems with
water, sanitation and power. Unregulated disposal of
solid waste remains a problem in some settlements

21. The challenges Can be Summarized as:
• Territorial: reduction and loss of viability in some of the
settlements, diversification of economic
activities, sustainable and balanced land use
(food, fodder, biofuels);
• Socioeconomic: lagging income, price instability, growing
competition;
• Environmental: greenhouse gas emissions, soil loss, water
and air quality degradation, loss of habitats and
biodiversity.

22. Important Themes for the New Planning Period
2014-202
• Growing importance of strategic management;
• Creation of a "local authority-business-science" consortium
and overall improvement of the social capital;
• Facilitating a growing civic engagement;
• Spatial coordination of the processes that take place across all
municipalities in the region;
• Attracting funds from outside sources in the municipal
budgets. Priority financing for generic services as part of the NSF
"Bulgaria 2020“;
• Structural optimization of the local authorities and improving
the quality and performance of services;

23. The municipalities of the Stara Zagora Region
must be an attractive for businesses and
people.
And we should maximize their potential, as
well as preserve the environment and their
cultural traditions.
December 2012