Bulgaria sees Japan as a strategic partner in Asia. We highly value the development of our bilateral relations and are dedicated to further improving our trade and investment ties. Dr. David Sukalinski, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, made this statement at the opening of the Bulgarian-Japanese Business Forum. He noted that the event demonstrates the mutual commitment and desire for a dynamic dialogue and more intensive development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. The business forum is organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the InvestBulgaria Agency.
“I believe that today’s event and business networking will act as a catalyst for starting specific business partnerships and joint projects in various economic sectors of mutual interest,” Dr. David Sukalinski said.
The Deputy Minister confirmed that the Bulgarian government’s foreign economic policy will remain focused on trade and industrial relations with Japan, our longstanding partner in the region. “We support all initiatives that promote effective cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, Hisashi Michigami, the President of JETRO, Susumi Kataoka, the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Krasimir Yakimov, the Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Ivan Vassilev joined the business forum, among many others.
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) organizes the Japanese delegation’s visit to Bulgaria. The delegation includes over 90 representatives from different Japanese companies. The visit aims to get acquainted with Bulgaria’s trade and investment potential. The next day, the Japanese business delegation will tour the largest state-owned industrial park, IP Sofia – Bozhurishte, managed by the National Company Industrial Zones (NCIZ). The investment opportunities in the company’s zones throughout the country will be showcased during the visit.
Trade relations between the two countries have been dynamically developing in recent years. In the first half of 2024, Bulgaria’s trade with Japan reached USD 134.3 million. Bulgarian exports accounted for nearly USD 41.0 million, increasing over 10%.