The BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION FOR TEXTILE, APPAREL AND LEATHER (BATOK), a member of BICA, has issued an official position and an appeal to the state institutions, raising concerns about the deepening challenges facing the sector and calling for timely and concrete measures to stabilise it.
The document, adopted by the General Assembly of BATOK on 19 September 2026, has been sent to the Prime Minister, the relevant ministries, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairs of the parliamentary groups.
The industry association warns that rising production costs, an acute labour shortage, strong competitive pressure and difficult access to markets and orders are forcing an increasing number of enterprises to scale back their operations, reduce staff and, in some cases, cease production altogether.
Among BATOK’s key demands are improved access to labour, streamlined procedures for employing workers from third countries, stronger links between vocational education and the needs of businesses, as well as more accessible programmes for modernisation, automation, digitalisation and energy efficiency. The Association also emphasises the need for a predictable regulatory environment, measures to curb the shadow economy, and conditions that ensure genuine competition and the participation of Bulgarian manufacturers in public procurement procedures for military, uniform and workwear.
BATOK highlights the significant economic and social importance of the sector, particularly for small settlements and less developed regions, where enterprises provide employment opportunities for people with different levels of qualification and for vulnerable groups.
The industry association calls for working meetings to be held at short notice with the competent ministries and institutions in order to discuss concrete solutions and the necessary administrative, programme-based and legislative measures.
BATOK states its readiness to actively participate in the institutional dialogue, stressing that support for the sector represents an investment not only in business, but also in preserving jobs, regional development and Bulgaria’s manufacturing capacity.
The full text of the position and appeal is available in the attached documents:
