Contacts in the Ministry of Economy and Industry
Vessela Bayraktarova Head of Europe Department Foreign Economic Cooperation Directorate tel.: +359 2 9407886 v.bairaktarova@mi.government.bg Ketya Manoilova State expert, Europe department Foreign economic cooperation directorate tel.: + 359 2 940 7823 k.manoilova@mi.government.bgEconomic relations between Bulgaria and Ireland
- Trade turnover (mln. euro)
Year | Export | Growth % | Import | Growth % | Balance | Total turnover | Growth % |
2011 | 14.8 | 72.1 | 77.0 | 43.1 | -62.2 | 91.8 | 47.1 |
2012 | 30.4 | 105.4 | 84.8 | 10.1 | -54.4 | 115.2 | 25.5 |
2013 | 29.8 | -2.0 | 82.2 | -3.1 | -52.4 | 112 | -2.8 |
2014 | 71.7 | 140.6 | 79.2 | -5.7 | -7.4 | 150.9 | 33.2 |
2015 | 29.9 | -58.3 | 81.3 | 4.9 | -51.4 | 111.2 | -25.5 |
2016 | 33.9 | 13.7 | 98.2 | 20.8 | -64.3 | 132.1 | 18.9 |
2017 | 46.4 | 36.9 | 114.3 | 16.4 | -67.9 | 160.7 | 21.6 |
2018 | 97.8 | 110.8 | 137.4 | 20.2 | -39.6 | 235.3 | 46.3 |
2019 | 83.3 | -14.9 | 182.2 | 32.5 | -98.9 | 265.5 | 12.8 |
2020 | 66.3 | -20.4 | 185.1 | 1.6 | -118.8 | 251.4 | -5.3 |
2021 | 60.3 | -4.9 | 239.5 | 40.4 | -179.2 | 299.7 | 28.1 |
2022 | 101.0 | 54.4 | 200.0 | -21.4 | -98.98 | 301.0 | -5.9 |
2022 1-6 | 50.1 | 114.3 | -64.2 | 164.4 | |||
2023 1-6 | 69.8 | 39.3 | 98.1 | -14.1 | -28.4 | 167.9 | 2.1 |
Source: Ministry of Economy and Industry
- Irish investments in Bulgaria
By the end of the first half of 2023, total investments from Ireland amount to €764.5 million.
Investments are mainly in the field of real estate, hotels and restaurants, financial intermediation, construction, trade, processing industry and mining, transport and communications. There are opportunities to attract Irish investment in the field of infrastructure, telecommunications, energy.
- Bilateral cooperation
From Bulgaria’s point of view, the expansion of cooperation with Ireland has the following advantages:
Expansion of markets (especially of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, wines, products of the glass, textile, footwear, electrical, chemical and pharmaceutical industries).
Opportunities for co-operation, joint venture and export to the Irish market.
Potential investor and joint venture partner.