SOFIA, Feb. 4 -- A project carried out by China's CBMI Construction Company won Bulgaria's Investor of the Year 2014 award here on Wednesday evening.

The 206-million-U.S.-dollar project, which reconstructed and modernized the installation for clinker and cement production, took place at Devnya Cement's plant, a part of Italcementi Group, the fifth largest cement producer in the world.

According to Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, this project was one of the largest single industrial investments in Bulgaria in the last quarter century, and one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe.

Plevneliev said the project had led to an overall improvement in energy efficiency, optimal management of resources, and the more optimal reduction of gas and dust emissions.

This is an extremely complex technological installation that does not produce waste, Plevneliev added.

In turn, Serge Schmidt, managing director of Devnya Cement, said the project had been a great challenge, and his company wanted to take the maximum benefit of this great investment, adding his gratitude for CBMI's hard work and cooperation.

Over 80 projects in all sectors of the economy, information technology, and health were nominated for the contest.