Kintex (Bulgaria)
Kintex is a Bulgarian state-owned company, founded in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1966.
Until 1992 essentially an arm of the
left wing political sympathies, in Turkey
,
in the 1970s.[1]
Smuggler of contraband
The first large export of weapons from Bulgaria was to Algeria in 1961–1962. Kintex maintained three bases in Sofia to load
smuggled goods. These shipments were conveyed by sea to Turkey, travelling through the ports of Varna and Burgas. They were shipped aboard Bulgarian or foreign ships. Kintex realised an annual revenue from smuggling goods of between $5 million and $15 million. In the first years money was transported in suitcases. Following 1985 payments were made via transborder companies which were established by Bulgarian state security and the foreign trade ministry, usually in offshore zones. These entities were shielded by local citizens who were agents of the secret police.[2]
Post-communist era
Currently Kintex is located at 66, James Bourchier Boulevard, 1407 Sofia. For more than four decades the business has been making contracts to supply technical military production, armament, and ammunition. It has carried out engineering projects in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.[citation needed]
In 1992 Kintex was changed to a company governed by
Bulgarian Army and police.[3]
References
- ^ The Time Of The Assassins, Claire Sterling, New York City, Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1985, pp. 84–86.
- ^ Kintex at Novinite.com, internet article, retrieved on August 24, 2009.
- ^ Bulgarian Defensive Industry Association Archived 2009-12-14 at the Wayback Machine, internet article, retrieved on August 24, 2009.