The Ministry and STIV will strengthen cooperation with the business sector to enhance support on foreign markets
“The real employer of our trade attachés abroad is the Bulgarian business community.” This was the key message of Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dontcho Barbalov, who held a series of meetings at the Ministry of Economy and Industry with representatives of the Commercial and Economic Sections (STIV) and leading employer organisations in Bulgaria.
The discussions focused on ways to improve collaboration between STIV and the private sector in order to make more effective use of the services and capacities of Bulgaria’s overseas commercial offices.
According to the most recent annual survey conducted by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) among its members, only around 31% of businesses in Bulgaria have utilised the services of STIV. Deputy Minister Barbalov stated that the Ministry’s objective is to raise this figure to at least 50% within the coming year.
“For Bulgarian companies, these services are particularly valuable when it comes to identifying business partners, participating in international trade fairs and forums, accessing economic intelligence, and organising business visits abroad,” Barbalov explained.
He added that STIV offices must take a proactive approach in organising business forums and B2B meetings, as well as in providing sector-specific information relevant to investment opportunities. In addition, they will assist in identifying and forwarding concrete offers from local companies abroad seeking partnerships with Bulgarian firms.
Deputy Minister Barbalov, along with representatives of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (AICB), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG), agreed on the need for more frequent and structured meetings, as well as the prioritisation of target sectors by country, according to the interests of Bulgarian businesses.
“Regular provision of up-to-date information on registration regimes and licensing procedures is forthcoming, with the aim of facilitating the international activities of Bulgarian enterprises,” Barbalov concluded.