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Location and historyThe town of Dobrich is the second largest economic centre in North-East Bulgaria. It is the administrative centre of the Municipality of Dobrich – town and the County of Dobrich. It is situated between the Black Sea and the Danube, in the undulating Danube plain on the Dobrudzha plateau – at 45 km from the Varna Airport and 35 km from the Port of Balchik. The portion of the Black Sea coast that belongs to the region is 110 km long. The following municipalities are included in the County of Dobrich: Dobrich, Tervel, General Toshevo, Kavarna, Balchik, Shabla and Krushari.The population of the town of Dobrich is 129 000 people, and its area is 4 730 sq. m.Thanks to its geographic location, there are four seasons in the town of Dobrich – cold snowy winters and dry hot summers. The earliest proof of the history of the town of Dobrich was found in the archaeological remains of antiquity (ІV-ІІІ c. BC — ІІ-ІV c. AD) and the early Middle Ages (VII-XI c. AD). An Old-Bulgarian necropolis with pagan graves was found in the town centre. The devastating invasions of the Pechenegs during the first third of the 11 century depopulated the inner parts of Dobrudzha and the life in the settlements fell into a decline during the whole period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. A new settlement was found in the 16th century. Its founder was the Turkish traveling trader Hadzhioglu Pazardzhik. The town was named after its founder in 1882. In 17 – 19 c. it developed as a crafts, trade and agricultural centre. It became famous for the weaving, homespun tailoring and coppersmith’s trade goods, for the leather hunting accessories and for its agricultural produce – wheat, linseed, raw sheep skins, wool, cheese, yellow cheese. The popular Dobrich Fair was first organized in 1851. It exhibited the goods of the merchants from Varna, Ruse, Shumen and some more distant towns. The cultural life of the town was well established, ecclesiastical activities and education developed, girls were admitted to school. The town was freed from the Turkish rule on 27th January 1878. By virtue of a decree of the Prince of 19 February 1882, the town of Hadzhioglu Pazardzhik was renamed to Dobrich after the name of the Dobrudzha ruler – Dobrotitsa. For several decades, during the communist era, the town was given the name of Marshal Tolbuhin. The former name of the town, Dobrich, was restored on 19 September 1990 by virtue of a decree of the President. Economy, Investments and development of the real estate marketThe exceptionally favourable combination of natural and climate conditions in the region is a real precondition for the high degree of development of agriculture. This has always been, and still is, one of the priority economic branches in the region. In addition to being a centre of a large agricultural region, the Municipality of Dobrich – town boasts a well developed industrial complex. In the town there are developed the branches of the food industry /production of milk products; oil and margarine; sausages; pasta; wine and spirits; non-alcoholic drinks; chicken products; flour; bread and confectionery/, the light industry /manufacture of men’s and women’s clothes; leather clothes; furniture and shoes/; machine-building /manufacture of car batteries; semi-trailers and containers; agricultural machines; radiators and filters for motorcars and lorries; plastic goods/; construction /construction of buildings and facilities, design, civil and industrial construction/. Another form of commercial development is the organization of yearly fairs and exhibitions of a national and international importance, such as “Agriculture and everything for it”, “National exchange for seeds and seedlings”, “Apiculture mania”, “Torgo, wine and delicacy”, “Made in Bulgaria”. The “Dobrich Fair” has a significant part in the successful implementation of all the above events. Establishment Of ROSIO Center in Dobrich Region (Regional One Stop Investment Office) During 2007, on the territory of Dobrich District it will be implemented Establishment Of ROSIO Center in Dobrich Region Project, financed under Phare programme 2004, Economic and Social Cohesion, Support for increasing the Competitiveness of Bulgarian Enterprises, Public-Private Partnership Grant Scheme. The total amount of the project is 30 088 euro. The amount of the grant is 22 566 euro. Lead partner is Business Center Dobrich. It will implement the project in cooperation with its partners Dobrich City Municipality, Dobrichka Municipality, General Toshevo Municipality and its co-partner ARIRI – Dobrich. Business Center Dobrich will look for cooperation with other local and regional public bodies, which could support to the potential investors. The overall objective of the project is to create an attractive business environment through promoting the development of PPP and to foster the sustainable development of investor interest and SMEs through improvement of their competitiveness.The direct beneficiaries of the project are the local and foreign investors. The indirect beneficiaries of the project are municipalities, inhabitants, logistic companies, etc. Expected results: • The investment capacity of the municipalities will increase;• Potential and present investors will have a complex of excellent information and consulting services for the region;• Investors will receive all necessary information at one place;• Municipalities will acquire additional experience with handle of PPP;• Expert involved to the project will learn new knew knowledge concerning PPP;• Development of partnership between public and private sector;Improvement of the business climate;• Involvement of new partners (public buddies, experts, etc.) in PPPs;Popularization of PPP;• Linkages between ROSIO internet site and the National Invest Bulgaria Agency internet site. Running projects“Reconstruction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure in Dobrich Town” Project“Construction of new electric street-lighting in “North” Industrial area in Dobrich Town” Project“New municipality’s Dobrich integrated approach to the local business” Project Policy of the Local Authorities toward Attracting Investments In view of its responsibilities, the Municipality of Dobrich makes capital expenses mainly in the field of municipal infrastructure, environmental protection, industrial and human resources development, education and health care. Tourism and places of interestTransport and Infrastructure The Varna Airport is only 45 km away from the regional centre – town of Dobrich. This fact has a favourable influence on the development of international tourism. The airport’s charter traffic during the summer period connects the Varna and Dobrich regions with the visiting tourists’ countries. Regular lines to certain European cities are available all the year round. The territory of the County of Dobrich is criss-crossed with highways – to the Black Sea coast, the international transit road along the transport parallel “North-South” – Romania, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine and Russia. The road network of Dobrich guarantees access to the sea and river ports, Ro-Ro terminals and the Civil Airport of Varna. Roads: First-class road Е-87; Burgas - Varna - Bachik - Shabla; Second-class road ІІ-21; Silistra - Dobrich - Obrochishte - Albena; Second-class road ІІ-27; Dobrich - Balchik - Kavarna; Second-class road ІІ-29; Varna - Dobrich – General Toshevo. Around the town there is a complete ring-road network that services the constant cargo transit traffic to Varna, Albena, Balchik, General Toshevo, Silistra, Shumen, Ruse. The main street network in Dobrich services the constant transit traffic.The railway connects the town of Dobrich to the capital, the Black Sea coast, Romania and some European countries. Tourism In the Municipality of Dobrich there exist conditions for the development of tourism which is preconditioned by a number of favourable circumstances. The most important of them are the rich cultural and historical heritage, the tourist places of interest such as the “Old Town of Dobrich”, the Art Gallery, the Nature and Animal Protection Centre, the international festivals, the fair, the nearby sea resorts. The implementation of the trans-border and infrastructure projects and of those of trans-border cooperation will bring new opportunities for the intensive development of international tourism in the municipality. Places of interest Dobrich boasts one of the most beautiful art galleries in the country with a rich collection of icons and works of art.There is also a horse-riding base, situated on the south outskirts of the town of Dobrich. The base has an area of 50 000 sq. m., 15 horses and two riding instructors. The price is 10 leva per hour. There are three community centres and libraries on the territory of the municipality.Regional folk festivals include: • the International Children Festival in Kroushari in May • "Spring Songs and Dances from Sunny Dobroudja” in Debrene in June • the village of Dabovik’s summer festival in July • “Dobroudja Folklore” in September in Tervel To see exquisite examples of traditional crafts and costumes, you should visit the ethnographic museums in Dobrich. Look out for hand made wooden toys and crocheted lace, often sold on the street by local women. You can browse through the workshops in the old town of Dobrich to find excellent souvenirs. |
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