A major economic sector in the area is the service sector, followed by industry and the agrarian sector.

Veliko Tarnovo has many strengths that promote economic and social growth. First is its geographical location and rich natural and cultural-historical resources. The area is located on an important transport corridor that provides connections with other countries of Europe, the Danube region and the Balkan Peninsula. The rich soils, the availability of water resources and the absence of large pollutants are suitable for the development of efficient agriculture and the respective related branches of the processing industry. The rich cultural and historical heritage, the unique natural sights, the numerous mineral and healing springs are a prerequisite for the development of cognitive, recreational and alternative tourism. A good indicator in the field is the variety of economic sectors and the presence of many small and medium-sized enterprises. The area has a relatively high index of human development according to the indicators for education, healthcare and economy.

Weaknesses of the region are some negative economic trends such as the decrease in investment, which is particularly noticeable in the manufacturing industry, the crisis in the machine industry, the reduced production of livestock, the severely limited areas with permanent crops and vegetable production, the incomplete use of tourism resources. There are also negative demographic trends such as the depopulation of some municipalities in the area.

The opportunities of the area are towards the development of tourism, the realization of various infrastructure projects, more efficient use of the opportunities offered by the Danube River, the stimulation and the increase of the cross-border cooperation, as well as the stimulation of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The identifiable threats are related to the continuing unfavorable demographic trends leading to a possible labor market collapse, a negative impact of the global economic crisis on the economy of the region, continuing negative climate change trends.

The Strategic Development Program of the Veliko Tarnovo Region in the period 2012-2020 sets out basic strategic objectives and guidelines to determine the future policies and activities in the region in order to achieve sustainable economic and social development.

Vision: The region of Veliko Tarnovo is emblematic for Bulgaria and is a dynamically developing Danube region, within which there are various and inter-complementary industrial, transport-logistic, agricultural, tourist, cultural and educational activities, attractive to investors and tourists and providing high quality of life for the inhabitants of the area.

The strategy for the development of the area has 4 strategic objectives related to:

• achieving economic growth at a higher pace than the average for the country
• achievement of social security, equality and prosperity;
• provision of modern infrastructure and high-quality utilities, protection of the cultural and historical heritage and preservation of the environment;
• achieving good planning, governance and cooperation;

Priority axes for implementing the strategy are investments for growth and employment, sustainable tourism, science, education and innovation, infrastructure, environment, management and services to help the population and business.