Deputy prime minister and economy minister Alexander Pulev told parliament on Wednesday that the government has offered German arms maker Rheinmetall a state-owned plot near Burgas for its planned factory. The land belongs to the defence ministry and already has all the infrastructure the plant would need. Pulev said talks with the company on the investment are still going on.

"We discussed and offered a new site near Burgas," Pulev said. He said the ready-made infrastructure there could let production start faster.

The plant will be classed as a site of national security importance, which cuts down on red tape. Pulev also promised full government support with the paperwork.

On Wednesday the deputy prime minister met a Rheinmetall delegation to discuss the project and how it will be organised.

"We will insist on full technology transfer and on creating high-quality jobs in Bulgaria at the VMZ site," Pulev said.

Three investment options are on the table — a main one, an alternative and an extra one — and one will be chosen after talks with the German company.

Besides the gunpowder plant, the two sides have gone through Rheinmetall's whole product range. Talks covered satellite technology for the government's new surveillance centre being built in the Dobroslavtsi area, drones and anti-drone systems, and logistics and transport equipment. The latter could help bring Bulgarian workers from the car industry into the sector.

Pulev called Rheinmetall one of the top technology and industrial players in the defence business. He added that Germany is Bulgaria's main trade partner by every measure — trade and foreign direct investment alike. He said the company's wide range of products gives it several ways to sell on the Bulgarian market.

Pulev said the talks focused on protecting Bulgaria's national interest and on fixing gaps left over from the start of the negotiations.

The deputy prime minister will pay a return visit to Germany this month.