INDUSTRIAL PARKS AS INSTRUMENTS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN BULGARIA

Svetoslav Iliev

doi:10.37075/JOMSA.2026.1.03

Authors

Svetoslav Iliev Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9577-1925

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37075/JOMSA.2026.1.03%20

Keywords:

industrial parks, regional development, regional policy, economic disparities, Bulgaria

Abstract

This study examines the role of industrial parks as instruments of regional development policy in Bulgaria. The growing importance of industrial infrastructure is closely linked to contemporary challenges associated with regional disparities, territorial cohesion, investment attraction, and sustainable economic development. Despite the increasing policy relevance of industrial parks, relatively limited academic attention has been devoted to their role as instruments of regional development policy in Bulgaria. This research addresses this gap and contributes to the growing discussion on industrial infrastructure as a tool for balanced territorial development. The paper analyzes the relationship between industrial park development, regional economic performance, investment attraction, and employment dynamics within the context of regional disparities in Bulgaria. The research applies qualitative policy analysis combined with comparative regional analysis and secondary statistical data analysis. The findings indicate that industrial parks support economic activity, investment attraction, and regional competitiveness; however, their effectiveness depends significantly on infrastructure accessibility, labor market conditions, institutional capacity, governance quality, and broader regional development factors. The study contributes to the existing literature by examining industrial parks not only as investment promotion mechanisms but also as instruments supporting territorial cohesion and balanced regional development. The Bulgarian case provides additional evidence regarding the opportunities and limitations of industrial parks as tools for addressing regional economic disparities in emerging European economies.

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