28.05.2026
Prime Minister Rumen Radev visited the headquarters of the Belgian high-tech center IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Center) in the town of Leuven. The center is a world leader in research and innovation in the field of advanced semiconductor technologies. IMEC is seen as a key element of European efforts seeking technological autonomy and development of private capacity in this sector. Moreover, in May 2026 IMEC announced a major technological breakthrough in quantum technologies and thus became the first organization in the world to make a quantum chip by using the most advanced High-NA EUV lithography technology. The achievement is seen as an important step towards the future industrial development of quantum computers and is of stretgic importance for the development of Artificial Intelligence, high-performance computing and the next generation of semiconductor technologies.
Today’s visit of Prime Minister Rumen Radev is a confirmation of Bulgaria’s interest in deeper economic relations with Belgium, including the promising field of high technologies and innovations. The dialog with IMEC is an expression of Bulgaria’s ambition to become a regional center for microelectronics. The IMEC.START Program has become an official partner in the C3BG Project that brirngs together leading academic, industrial and research organizations, with the Technical University of Sofia, Sofia Tech Park and the University of Sofia among the major partners. The initiative is fully in line with European priorities and the objectives of the EU Chips Act – the European legislative package concerning integrated circuits and intended to boost chips production in Europe. Today’s meeting discussed, inter alia, the prospect of the adoption of the EU Chips Act 2.0 that is of key importance for making Europe a leading factor in the development of high technologies.
