In the first half of 2025, trade turnover with China reached nearly USD 2.2 billion
The Minister of Economy and Industry, Peter Dilov, discussed opportunities to promote trade and investment between Bulgaria and China with Lin Ji, Deputy Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. The two also serve as co-chairs of the Bulgarian-Chinese Intergovernmental Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation. Minister Dilov is currently visiting Beijing, where the second edition of the International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence is taking place, with Bulgaria’s national team among the participants.
The ministers emphasised that significant untapped potential exists to enhance economic results and bilateral trade.
During the meeting, it was revealed that, according to Chinese statistics, trade turnover between Bulgaria and China amounted to nearly USD 2.2 billion for the period January to June 2025.
Both agreed that the sessions of the Bulgarian-Chinese Intergovernmental Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation represent an important mechanism for developing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
They agreed that the next, 18th session of the Commission will be held by the end of this year in Sofia. “We would welcome a bilateral business forum to be organised alongside the session,” said Dilov.
According to him, new opportunities are being sought to expand Bulgarian business exports to the Chinese market. “Examples include agricultural and food products, essential oils and cosmetics, wine, and mineral water,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister of Commerce of China highlighted that there is potential to increase Bulgarian exports to the Chinese market, both in the food and beverage sector and other areas. “Bulgaria is well known in China for its rose oil products,” he emphasised.
Dilov and Lin Ji pointed out that there are opportunities to attract investment in sectors where Bulgaria has traditional advantages, as well as in those that provide high added value and competitiveness. These include automotive manufacturing and parts production, electronics and electrical engineering, information and communication technologies, agriculture, and the food and beverage industry.
“There are opportunities to attract Chinese companies to Bulgarian industrial zones, for which support can be obtained from the ‘National Company Industrial Zones’,” Dilov assured.
During his visit to the Chinese capital, the Minister of Economy also held a meeting with Mr Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
Minister Dilov emphasised Bulgaria’s desire to expand its exports to China, noting that untapped potential exists to further increase trade, particularly in products for which Bulgaria is well known in Asia.
The two exchanged views on issues such as promoting exchanges between Chinese and Bulgarian business communities, supporting trade and investment between China and Bulgaria, strengthening cooperation within the Joint Chamber of Commerce, and encouraging international cooperation in industrial supply chains.
Mr Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, noted that the two countries have a solid foundation for cooperation and should pay attention to new areas for interaction such as innovation and new technologies, digitalisation, and energy efficiency.