IBM and the Bulgarian government have announced their cooperation in the field of nanoscience to create the first nanotechnology centre in Central and Eastern Europe.
According to the agreement, the government’s three-year programme is targeted at creating different nanoproducts, micromachines and microsystems.
IBM technology and business consultants would assist the Bulgarian government in building up a new nanotechnology research facility and provide state-of-the-art equipment to explore and develop nanoscience products, under a separate commercial agreement.
The project is scheduled to be completed next year where the Bulgarian nanotechnology centre will occupy nearly 500 square metres of laboratory space and would assist researchers and engineers working with Bulgarian universities.
Besides, the Bulgarian government plans to conduct applied research in the areas like microfluidics and nanofluidic, nanosystems for electronics and sensing and nanomaterials once the centre is established.
Plamen Oresharski, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria, said: “Realising high-tech projects like this are key in the current environment when it is important to not only focus on short-term measures, but to also create the basis for future recovery. We have a window of opportunity right now to transform industry to become more technology intense. This will not happen automatically but requires dedicated effort, part of which is the current agreement with IBM.”
Marcelo Lema, general manager of IBM Central and Eastern Europe, said “We see this type of collaboration as an emerging model for future industry-academic partnerships.
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Alex Rakov, Country General Manager for IBM Bulgaria, said: “According to Lux Research, nanotechnology will impact $2.9 trillion worth of products across the value chain by 2014. IBM will help Bulgaria to be at the forefront of this trend and further support its efforts to become a knowledge based economy.
