Prime Minister Rumen Radev Discusses Projects for Bulgaria’s Digital Infrastructure with Google

“Our government is highly ambitious when it comes to achieving digital transformation. We have a great deal to offer investors,” Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on October 22 during a meeting with representatives of Google. The talks focused on opportunities to expand cooperation in high technology and attract investment in the country’s digital infrastructure, the government press office said.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Aleksandar Pulev, and Ivan Vasilev, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation.

Topics discussed included digitalisation, economic competitiveness, cybersecurity and opportunities for joint projects in the space industry.

Google is providing a new $1 million grant to the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at Sofia University “St Kliment Ohridski”, it emerged during the meeting. The new funding will enable the institute to expand its scientific research and work on developing a new generation of artificial intelligence models.

The Prime Minister thanked Google for its support for INSAIT and stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with leading technology companies in advancing high technology and retaining talent in Bulgaria.

“Bulgaria has excellent human potential, which is our country’s greatest asset. Thanks to investments and partnerships like these, we are keeping many young and talented people in the country,” the Prime Minister said.

Among INSAIT’s priority areas to be supported by the new grant are artificial intelligence for science and mathematics, robotics, Earth observation and technological sovereignty. The grant includes direct funding and Google Cloud credits, providing access to high-performance computing infrastructure.

“We greatly value our ongoing cooperation with the Bulgarian government. By deepening our partnership with INSAIT, we are committed to supporting Bulgaria in building a competitive and secure digital future,” said Marianne Janik, Vice President of Google Cloud.

Google has supported INSAIT since its establishment in 2022. With the new grant, the company’s total support for the institute exceeds $7 million, an unprecedented level of support for Bulgaria and the region.