Trade relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the People’s Republic of China are developing positively. Trade between the two countries reached nearly USD 4 billion in 2024. The Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dontcho Barbalov said at the opening of a conference on trade and investment cooperation between China (Sichuan) and Bulgaria. It was attended by the Vice Governor of Sichuan Province in China Dong Weimin, the leaderships of the Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Foreign Service, the Bureau of Economic Cooperation, and the Sichuan Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
During the conference, Deputy Minister Barbalov emphasised that the Ministry of Economy and Industry will continue to work to expand trade and industrial relations with China as our traditional partner. “We consider the development of bilateral trade and economic relations in the context of Bulgaria’s full membership in the European Union and the Schengen Area and the fact that China (Sichuan) is an important partner for the EU and Bulgaria,” Barbalov added.
According to him, Bulgarian business is looking for new opportunities to increase exports to the Chinese market. “There are prospects for further expansion of Bulgarian exports to China, in particular in the sectors of agriculture, food industry, energy, tourism, etc.,” the Deputy Minister of Economy said.
He expressed his gratitude for the working meeting held at the Ministry of Economy and Industry prior to the conference and emphasised that this visit is another proof of our mutual desire to cooperate in all areas of common interest. “Our country aims to attract Chinese investments in sectors where our country has traditional advantages and in those that provide high added value, introduce innovation and ensure the high competitiveness of the economy,” Deputy Minister Barbalov highlighted.
Representatives from government and public institutions and the business sector participated in the conference.