Innovation and digital transformation minister Ivan Vasilev met France's ambassador to Bulgaria, Marie Dumoulin. They talked about how Bulgaria and France can work more closely on innovation, artificial intelligence and space technology. Most of the talk focused on AI factories and data centres, the innovation ministry's press office said.

Vasilev laid out the ministry's main tasks. Bulgaria's economy needs to shift toward products and services with higher added value. By 2030, Bulgaria should become the best place in Europe to start and grow a high-tech business. The ministry plans targeted support for such firms and industries. It is also working to digitise the state administration, which means reworking and reorganising a number of processes.

The two also discussed the memorandum Bulgarian space company EnduroSat signed with France's Arianespace a few days ago at the International Space Summit in Paris. Under the deal, EnduroSat plans to start launching satellites on Arianespace's Ariane 64 rocket from 2029.

Vasilev and Dumoulin also talked about technology transfer and the achievements of Bulgarian and French scientists. They discussed how to strengthen ties between science and business so research results reach the market faster.

Deputy minister Mira Yosifova also took part in the meeting. Dumoulin said that a few days earlier in Paris she had briefed the European Space Agency on Bulgaria's progress, and outlined the steps the innovation ministry is taking to grow the country's space sector.

"We believe Bulgaria can become a key part of Europe's value chains in the space sector by taking on specific, competitive roles within those chains," Yosifova said.

In Paris, the deputy minister also presented plans for the research and development centre for space technology and defence in Dobroslavtsi.