For the ninth year running, the German-Bulgarian Industry and Trade Chamber awarded German companies who invest in Bulgaria for their contribution to the local economy. The German Awards aim to motivate foreign investors and recognise their contribution to the trade relations between Germany and Bulgaria, and are given out in three categories.

The aircraft servicing company Lufthansa Technik received (pictured) the Large Enterprise award after creating more than 250 employment positions in 2012.

The Small and Middle Enterprise award went to Winterhalder, whose Plovdiv plant produces foam technologies and self-adhesives.

The German Awards give a prize to initiatives and projects as well – and this year the Aktiv Green campaign of Liebcher employees, who cleaned out the rubbish from green parks and fields in Plovdiv, received the third award.

The Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism Delyan Dobrev gave the awards together with Sofia's mayor Yordanka Fandakova and the vice-presidents of the Chamber Ognyan Donev and Ramon Harps.