Bilateral trade grows by almost 20% compared to 2021.
“China ranks third among Bulgaria’s trade partners outside the EU, and bilateral trade grew last year by almost 20% compared to 2021.” This was stated by Deputy Minister Nikolay Pavlov at the opening of the International Conference “Europe – PRC. Dialogue for progress. 10 years of “One Belt, One Road” Initiative.
“We consider the development of trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and China in the context of Bulgaria’s full membership in the European Union and the fact that China is a strategic partner for Bulgaria and the EU, as well as within the framework of the Initiative for Cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative,” Deputy Minister Pavlov said. He added that there are unused opportunities for expanding Bulgarian export to China, Bulgarian business has sustained interest and is looking for new opportunities to increase export to the Chinese market.
“Bulgaria welcomes Chinese companies that are interested in establishing their production bases and development centres in Bulgaria and entering the EU market,” Deputy Minister Pavlov said.
“I believe that more and more Chinese companies will take advantage of Bulgaria’s advantages as a business and investment destination. The Ministry of Economy and Industry is ready to support Chinese companies willing to invest in Bulgaria in sectors providing high added value and increased competitiveness of the economy,” said Deputy Minister Pavlov.
He added that the government is implementing specific measures and incentives to support and encourage investment and continued access to the huge EU market.
Deputy Minister Pavlov highlighted the investment advantages our country offers, such as political, economic and financial stability, constantly improving communication and logistics infrastructure, qualified workforce, special incentives and incentives for investors, as well as access to the EU market.
He assured that the Bulgarian government will continue to focus its foreign economic policy on trade and industrial relations with China, as Bulgaria’s traditional partner in Asia, and will support all initiatives in the interest of effective cooperation between the two countries.
The conference is organized by the Bulgarian National Association “One Belt, One Road” and the Slavyani Foundation in partnership with the China Centre for Contemporary World Studies, the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative Research Network and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.
For two days, political, cultural and social activists, parliamentarians, diplomats, scholars and experts from Bulgaria, China, the Balkans and other countries in Europe, as well as representatives of the European Parliament discussed and sought answers and promising ideas on the place, role and mechanisms of work of the non-governmental sector, civil society for the development of dialogue, strengthening and stabilizing security and peace.
Welcoming remarks were made by H.E. Mr. DONG Xiaojun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Bulgaria, Wan Liyon Vice-Chairman of the China Centre for Contemporary World Studies, Rositsa Kirova, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AICB. Greetings were also read out on behalf of President Rumen Radev and Deputy Foreign Minister of the PRC Mr. Deng Li.