The Communist regime which ruled Bulgaria for over 40 years after 9 September 1944, prioritised industrial development. All existing plants were nationalized and the entire Bulgarian economy was subjected to a planned economy. There was a sustained increase in production, and new industries were developed very quickly and, as in other Socialist countries, not always efficiently. New industrial complexes on a scale not before seen in the Balkans were constructed. New power plants, chemical works, metallurgical smelters, military producers and other industries were inaugurated. The country's scientific and technical base was not neglected; new schools and universities were built which fed directly into the expanding industrial economy. The national economy was integrated in Comecon and Bulgaria specialized in the production of electronics, motor trucks and tinned food.
