In 2025, bilateral trade turnover between Turkey and Bulgaria reached a record level of nearly EUR 9 billion. This represents an increase of over 18% compared to the previous year, with Turkey ranking among the leading markets for Bulgarian exports. With these words, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Anton Kostadinov, opened the seminar “Business Cooperation Between Bulgaria and Turkey – Opportunities, Prospects and Success Stories”. The event brought together more than 70 Bulgarian and Turkish companies.
During the forum, Kostadinov emphasised that Turkey is a long-standing and strategic partner of Bulgaria, with relations based on mutual trust, active economic exchange and a shared commitment to development. “According to data from the Bulgarian National Bank, direct Turkish investments in Bulgaria amounted to over EUR 1.5 billion by the end of 2025,” he noted, adding that Turkish companies operate in sectors such as industry, infrastructure, construction, automotive manufacturing, textiles, and the food and beverage industry. The Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry also highlighted promising areas for cooperation, including information and communication technologies, the digitalisation of trade, mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, among others.
As part of the seminar, opportunities for joint projects in high value-added industries were outlined, including transport and logistics, energy, and innovation. In addition, the development of logistics centres and industrial zones in border regions was discussed, with the aim of enhancing trade and positioning the region as a strategic corridor between Europe and Asia.
The event was organised by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in cooperation with Eurochambres within the framework of the “EU – Turkey Business Dialogue” initiative. This format aims to create tangible opportunities for partnerships, facilitate business contacts and deepen economic ties between the EU and Turkey. A welcoming address was delivered by H.E. Mehmet Uyanık, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Bulgaria, while the opening of the forum was also attended by Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.