IT&BPO
Top 10 mid-sized cities with best FDI strategy and cost-effectiveness.
(fDi Intelligence, 2020)
IT, BPO & B2B are among the most dynamically developing sectors in Plovdiv. There are over 200 Bulgarian and international companies and over 8 500 employees in IT&BPO alone. The city offers great conditions for the establishment of dev companies, fintech and blockchain startups, GBS centers and financial outsourcing companies.
Bulgaria, as a whole, is one of the most competitive BPO destinations in the world and is rapidly shifting from customer support services towards more knowledge-intensive activities, such as financial consulting, R&D, technical and data analysis, etc.
Industry sector data
2nd
IT&BPO center in Bulgaria
19 000
students in advanced language studies
IT&BPO potential
Students in advanced language studies
Due to its location and highly developed educational system the city attracts labor from all regions. The nationally renowned high schools and universities contribute to the rapid development of the sector and annually produce highly-skilled talent in IT, finance & accounting, languages, business management and others. High schools in Plovdiv have a tradition of offering a very high level of education especially in maths and languages.
The Plovdiv University and the Technical University have long-lasting traditions in the training of mathematicians, programmers, financiers and accountants. In addition, The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts trains graphic designers, VR specialists, art PR experts and others.
The strong demand for a highly qualified workforce lays the foundation for intensive cooperation between the educational institutions and the business.
High schools in Plovdiv have a tradition of offering a very high level of education especially in maths and languages, with many of the local employees having graduated from these high schools.
Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” and the Technical University both have long-lasting traditions in the training of good mathematicians, programmers, financiers and accountants. In addition, The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv trains graphic designers, VR specialists, art PR experts and others.
The main advantages
Compared to the Capital – Sofia, as in other countries which serve as outsourcing destinations, the second largest city offers a number of advantages. Most of the higher-class jobs in the state administration, finance and B2B services are concentrated in Sofia. In contrast the labor market in Plovdiv is not characterized by such strong competition for talent.
From the employee’s perspective – Plovdiv has been recognized for its great work-life balance and high quality of life, due to less traffic and urban stress, opportunities to reach the workplace by bicycle, public transport, and others. Due to these advantages, the locals also have the opportunity to enjoy the city and its many sports, culture and art events.
Main advantages
Compared to the Capital – Sofia, as in other countries which serve as outsourcing destinations, the second largest city offers a number of advantages. Most of the higher-class jobs in the state administration, finance and B2B services are concentrated in Sofia. In contrast the labor market in Plovdiv is not characterized by such strong competition for talent.
From the employee’s perspective – Plovdiv has been recognized for its great work-life balance and high quality of life, due to less traffic and urban stress, opportunities to reach the workplace by bicycle, public transport, and others. Due to these advantages, the locals also have the opportunity to enjoy the city and its many sports, culture and art events.
