In recent years, Ruse has completely changed its appearance. Today, the Danube capital of Bulgaria is a magnet for investments, innovation and jobs and an attractive place to live and do business.
In 2015, Ruse Municipality acquired ownership of the airport in Shtraklevo village,which opened new prospects since its location provides an opportunity for combining rail, road, water and air transport of goods and passengers.
Since 2005, Industrial Park – Ruse has been functioning on the territory of the municipality which today houses companies operating in the automotive and machinery industry, production of ceramics, faience,etc. In 2013, two big plants were opened – Montupet and Balkanzinc AD which provide thousands of new jobs in the city, and in 2014 the German company Witte Automotive put into operation its new plant for production of automotive parts; the investment in the plant amounts to 12 million euros and provides 459 jobs.
Some of the largest enterprises in the chemical and petroleum refining industry operate in the region and the sectors which define the contemporary economy of the city include the sewing, textile and food industries. The sewing industry is a sector, which dominates the economic profile of the municipality and provides permanent employment. Ruse Free Zone Logistics Centerwas built – it is the largest and best developed free zone in the Republic of Bulgaria and has become an asset in attracting foreign investors to the region, while Port Complex – Ruse manages the activity of several Bulgarian ports situated on the Danube River.
Industry Watch highlights Ruse as one of the Bulgarian cities with most dynamic development of the IT sector. One of the first bigger IT companies in the city is Sirma ITT, which provides a large range of consulting services for IT solutions and project management. The second major company, which made a breakthrough in the city is Musala Soft, which has become one of the biggest Bulgarian IT companies. However, not only large companies do business in the city. There are dozens of small enterprises, and some of them have achieved significant success in their respective industries.
New prospects for development in the field of the tourism and entertainment industries opened up for Ruse a year ago when Bulstrad Arena Hall was officially opened.
Because of the rapidly developing Angel Kanchev University – Ruse, one of the biggest and well-established educational institutions in Bulgaria with about 9 thousand students, an increase in the number of highly qualified specialists is observed, which contributes to the sustainable development of the country and the region.
Ruse Municipality has a Regulation for Promotion of Investments of Municipal Importance and Awarding Class C Certificates. The main objective set in the Regulation is to increase the competitiveness of the economy of Ruse Municipality. With the developed Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation for the period 2016-2025, it is expected of Ruse to establish its position as a city of knowledge and innovation until 2025.
The city has received numerous recognitions, among which the Mayor of the Year 2015 award in the Investments and Employment category presented by the web portal of Bulgarian mayors Kmeta.bg; a flag and a certificate for investment attractiveness were awarded to the city by the European Business Assembly.