Montana Region

The Montana Region is located in the Northwest planning region and is the central part of Northwest Bulgaria with territory 3,618 km2, which is 3.2% of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The North part of the region borders the Danube River with natural circumstances for direct links with Romania and other countries on the Danube River. On the Southwest, we are neighbors with the Republic of Serbia and the Sofia Region, to the East - the Vratsa Region, and to the Northwest - the Vidin Region.

The Montana Region has a long, 1000-year history, with many historical and cultural monuments, clear environment and placec for rest and tourism. The geographical situation is suitable for development of the region as a transport, tourist and cultural center.

At the present time, the actual territory division in the region consists of 130 cities and villages distributed in 11 municipalities. The municipalities consist mainly of villages and small towns where people live in the village way of life. The Montana Municipality has a surface area of 647.6 km2 or 18% of the Montana Region, and the city is the administrative center of the region.

During the first millenium B.C., the Thracian tribes settled in the fertile and picturesque valley of the Ogosta River. Part of an ancient Thracian fortress was discovered under the level of the roman fortification in Montana. Around the 4th and 1st century B.C.. a Thracian tribes had settled here. Later on, the Romans captured the region and it became a part of the Roman district called Misia.

On the basis of the geographical characteristics of the region and the economical situation, we can underline the following strengths from the point of view of the possibilities for industrial and agricultural development of the region:

• Suitable geographic position;
• Ecologically clean region;
• Fertile land - potential in agricultural;
• Developed transportation network;
• Good technical base for machine building, construction and building works, sewing, shoe, and food-processing industries.

Based on data from the Regional Statistical Bureau - Montana at the end of 2000, most businesses in the Municipality of Montana are small and micro firms.

90% of the companies employ less than 10 people. Only 54 firms employ over 100 people, which makes up over 86% of the industrial production of the region.

The number of employed people in the Montana Region up to December 31, 2001 was 28,064 people which is a decrease of 9.6% from the end of December 2000. 14,500 of these people are employed in the business sector "Services", 12,001 in the sector "Industries", and 1563 in the sector "Agriculture". Most of the employed people (50.6%) are employed by privately owned companies (50% at the end of December 2000).

Strategic Goals for the Regional Development of Montana

1. Development and improvement of the Technical Infrastructure.
2. Stabilization of Economic Development:
   
   • Restructuring and stabilization of industry;
   • Revival of Agriculture;
   • Development of Tourism.

3. Keeping the environment clean and efficient use of natural resources.

4. Development of human resources:
   
   • Professional orientation, qualification, and re-qualification of employed and unemployed people;
   • Specific programs for employment of the Roma population;
   • Increasing the possibilities for employment in small and medium size enterprises;
   • Vocational education of people who are working in the tourism sector.

The population in the Montana Region as of December 31, 2000: 188,464 people including:

As of December 31, 2000, 63,399 people live in the Municipality of Montana or 32.8% of the population in the region. The demographic make-up of the region continues to age.

The population under, in and above able-bodied working age in the Municipality of Montana:

The decreasing of the population as a whole reflects decreases in both the towns and villages. Through 2000, the urban population has continued to decline.

The tendency for the population of women to be higher is valid not only for the Municipality and the Region, but also for the country as a whole.

Average Monthly Salaries - Average salaries in the Municipality of Montana are below that of average salaries for Bulgaria. They vary from 0.60 Leva/hour to 2 Leva/hour, while the minimum rate is 0.50 Leva/hour for the country.

Unemployment: As of March 31, 2002, the total number of registered unemployed people in the Montana Region is 24,343 people. The level of unemployment from those of able-bodied working age is 27.32%. In the Labor Office in the Municipality of Montana, 10,641 people are registered as unemployed. The level of unemployment from those of able-bodied working age in the Municipality is 24.34%.

The situation of the labor market in the Municipality of Montana depends on the economic situation of the region. The process of demographic aging, the slow rate of structural reform, and stagnation, which all encompass economic life, are obstacles to activation of the labor market and creation of employment.

According to the registration regime, 85.1% of registered unemployed people in the Montana Region do not have the right to access unemployment compensation. 61.7% have been continuously unemployed for more than 12 months. A large part of the registered unemployed people in the region - 35.6%, are able-bodied workers (30-44 years old). The following is the professional structure of the unemployed in the region:

• Total Number of Unemployed - 24,343
• With work specialty - 7,084 (29.1%)
• Specialists - 3,692 (15.2%)
• Without work specialty - 13,567 (55.7%)

In order to overcome the social problems, a special policy is used from the Employment Agency which encompasses different measures following the law for encouragement of employment.

The program for literacy, qualification and employment has the aim to increase the quality of the workforce and to ensure proper employment. In the region, the following programs are being implemented: "From social welfare to employment" and "Flexible forms of employment". The Regional Program for Employment provides the possibility for the realization and assurance of income for continuously unemployed people and people from the Roma population.

Price of agricultural land - lack of a market for agricultural land.

Price of apartment rental - significantly lower than the average for the country.

Price of terrain for building - the prices of Municipal terrain are attractive for carrying out building and development of business. The Municipality has the right to define the preferential circumstances when offering premises and land to strategic investors. The municipality has available pieces of land with already completed infrastructure and premises.

In comparison with 1999, the share of gross national product increased for the following:

• Production and distribution of electricity, gas and water;
• Building and construction;
• Communication;
• Trade.

List of bigger foreign investors

Attracting investments is a priority for the Municipalities in the Montana Region. Each investment has a considerable meaning for regional development and is followed by positive results - creating new jobs, development of small and medium business, and infrastructural development on a local level.

The size of foreign investments in the Montana Region by year is as follows:

The small size of foreign investments is the result of the economic decline of the region. Development of a program for attracting foreign investments is necessary in which the main focus is oriented in the following directions:

• Informational campaign for the possibilities of the local economy;
• Preparation of promotional materials and catalogues to be distributed to different forums and institutions;
• Discussion of the possibilities for use of available premises and unfinished buildings.

Transportation Infrastructure:

The Montana Region has a more advantageous position in comparison with other regions in the country. Through the Montana Region passes the international road Е-79 (Eurocorridor №4), which connects Western Europe and the White Sea. The Danube River also has strategic meaning (Corridor №7), as well as a second road RP II-81 (Sofia- "Petrohan"- Мontana - Lom), which creates the shortest link between Sofia and the port of Lom.

As stated, the Montana Region is situated on the Danube River (the port of Lom will be renovated and enlarged) and the border with the Republic of Yugoslavia. These are both good conditions for successful economic development, having in mind the transport function of the river and the geographic situation which creates the potential for development of transport, tourism and agriculture.

Environment

Being the center of the Montana Region, the town of Montana and the Montana Municipality are predisposed to the pollution of the environment. The problems are connected with waste management, pollution of the Danube River, noise pollution, and preservation of the flora and fauna. The Municipality of Montana has developed two projects for the ISPA program, which have already been approved. In the territory of the Municipality of Montana, there are no natural park reservations or protected territory.

Culture

Montana is a cultural center of the region. Accents of Montana's cultural life are connected with institutions like the historical museum, the library "Geo Milev", the Cultural Center "Razum", United School for the Arts, Youth Center, government archives, Cultural Club, Dramatic Theater "Dragomir Asenov", Doll Theater, and the Art Gallery "Kiril Petrov". Regional cultural specialities are wind orchestras and the musical heritage of the musician Diko Iliev. Every two years, Montana is the host of a national celebration of wind orchestras called "Diko Iliev". The celebration takes places under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture.

Sport

In the Montana Municipality, there are licensed sports clubs for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, karate, judo, track and field, football, and automobile racing.

Media

Montana has a local cable television station called Mont 7, two private radio stations, and some local newspapers.