Centres for Women Entrepreneurship

THE DISTRICT OF PERNIK

The District of Pernik is situated in the western part of Bulgaria and is the geographical centre of the Balkan Peninsula.
It borders with Zavaloviskyarska mountain to the north, Luilin mountain to the north-east, Vitosha mountain to the south-east, and Konyavska mountain to the south. This area, surrounded with mountains between 1000 and 2300 m high, is cut by the Verilo-Ruyska mountain chain. This mountainous area includes the Pernik-Breznik, Radomir and Zemen valleys, crossed by the Struma river and its feeders. The names of the 4 inner regions are Graovo (Pernik and Breznik), Mrakata (Radomir), Kraishte (Zemen) and Znepole (Trun). The main centers are: the city of Pernik, Radomir, Breznik, Trun and Zemen and every one of them is a different Municipality (plus the Municipality of Kovachevtsy).

Economy
The companies of the District industry, agriculture and services produce about 430 M Levs of gross product. The private sector produces about 80% of the total value, and the number of the registered enterprises is over 3 600. Nowadays, the production infrastructure is being dynamically reformed and there are some significant transformations in the industrial base of the region. There is a deficit of foreign direct investments, and the stimulation of new production is orientated towards the markets of European partners. Many projects are being realized, with Municipalities and some large companies having the leading role.
The trends of the District economy are the following: significant decrease of the share of the branch-leader - the processing industry – 40% in 2001 compared to 60% in 2000, which was caused by the lowered production of the large structure–defining enterprises in the District economy; the “trade and repair” branch increases its share - 28% in 2001 compared to 25% in 2000. This trend is common for most of the Districts and is determined by the well–developed infrastructure of this sector and the opportunities for an extensive growth; the third in size branch of economy is the production of thermal energy with comparative share of 9% in 2001. The main reason of its growth is the correction of the prizes of electrical and heating energy. There is a trend of growth in the extraction of raw materials branch, as well as the construction industry, transport and communication branches. The branches of agriculture and forestry, tourism and financial business have had an insignificant growth rate during the last years.

Transport
The geographical position of the District determines a good accessibility to the national and European transport system. The transport corridors № 4 North-South /Е – 79/ Vidin – Sofia - Kula and № 8 West-East  /Е – 871/ Gyueshevо – Sofia – Bourgas, which are the shortest routes between the countries between the west, central and east Europe and represent an attractive object for foreign investors, pass through the territory of the District. 
There are useful transport connections with all the towns in the District /Radomir, Breznik, Trun, Zemen/. The connections with the capital are realised mainly with through the road-transport. The railroads have their importance for the District, as well. The international train Sofia-Kulata-Thessaloniki-Athens passes through the city of Pernik. The railway station of Radomir is an important node and stimulates the development of production and trade. The closest airport is situated 40 km from the District centre.