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Its economy has been historically reliant on tobacco processing (Bulgaria's largest cigarette manufacturing facilities are based in the town) and, latterly, the conversion of manufacturing capacity to produce machine tools. The town has a large Turkish population and benefits from its position on the main highway from Western Europe to Turkey.
The town centre has recently been the subject of much investments, such that one would be hard pressed to tell the difference, in terms of street cafes, restaurants, shops and piazzas from Western Europe.