Ukraine is a traditional and important foreign trade partner of Bulgaria

The Minister of Economy opened a Bulgarian-Ukrainian business forum with the participation of nearly 70 companies from both countries

I am convinced of the prospects for the development of bilateral economic relations with Ukraine and the existence of a number of areas of mutual interest that can be promoted through active dialogue, both between the official institutions and between the business circles of the two countries. This was said by the Minister of Economy and Industry, Dr. Petko Nikolov, who opened a Bulgarian-Ukrainian business forum in Sofia with the participation of nearly 70 companies from both countries.

Minister Nikolov pointed out promising areas for economic cooperation, including construction, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture and the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and others.

The Minister of Economy emphasized that Ukraine is a traditional and significant foreign trade partner for our country, with which it develops comprehensive and long-term cooperation. “In recent years, foreign trade between the two countries has been characterized by a stable growth of bilateral trade,” Minister Nikolov also said. He pointed out that in 2023, trade between the two countries will amount to about 2 billion USD.

In his words, Bulgaria consistently supports and participates in international efforts to provide comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, with the leading role of the EU and in close coordination and contribution from international partners.

Dr. Petko Nikolov expressed confidence that the forum will contribute to establishing new business contacts, building partnerships and implementing joint projects. “These opportunities are even more significant in today’s complex and dynamic international economic environment, which creates many challenges for businesses,” he added.

The Minister of Economy and Industry pointed out that the Ministry is helping to identify interest from business for its future participation in initiatives to revive the Ukrainian economy and infrastructure. “For the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be a priority goal in the coming years, financial resources will be needed, and the participation of private capital will have an important role in this process,” he added.

According to Minister Nikolov, the geographical and cultural proximity between the two countries, the shared Euro-Atlantic values ​​and the presence of the largest Bulgarian community abroad in Ukraine are a solid basis for strengthening our economic ties and our fruitful cooperation.

Within the framework of the event, the economic minister met with the ambassador of Ukraine to our country H.E. Olesya Ilashchuk, and the two discussed the possibilities of expanding trade and economic relations between the two countries.

The forum is organized by the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (IANMSP), and the head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria Yordanka Chobanova, Tsvetan Simeonov, chairman of BTTP, Lilia Ivanova, chairman of the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry, also took part in its opening. , Victor Kantsurak – State Secretary of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, Gennady Chizhikov – President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others.