site.btaThird International Bessarabian Economic Forum Takes Place in Bolhrad

The Third International Bessarabian Economic Forum took place in Bolhrad, Southwestern Ukraine, with nearly 450 participants representing institutions, diplomatic missions, business organizations, international bodies, and the civil sector, the Bolhrad City Council announced on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

The municipality reported that representatives from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Turkiye, Slovenia, and Denmark participated in the forum.

"This year’s forum saw a significant expansion in its geographical scope," the Council said.

The event was dedicated to the development of international partnerships, economic cooperation, and support for Ukrainian municipalities amid the war.

Participants were welcomed by Bolhrad City Council Secretary Vira Nikolaienko, who highlighted the importance of international cooperation.

At the beginning of the forum, attendees observed a moment of silence in honour of Ukraine’s fallen defenders, and a charity fundraiser in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was organized as part of the initiative.

During the forum, thematic sessions were held on agriculture, tourism, energy, infrastructure and logistics, social projects, international grant programmes, information technology, entrepreneurship, the environment, industry, and industrial parks.

The Bolhrad City Council announced that 11 agreements were signed during the forum between the municipality and energy companies for the lease of land to implement energy projects within the Bolhrad municipality.

Memorandums of cooperation and partnership were also signed, aimed at attracting investment and developing international cooperation.

The town of Bolhrad was founded in 1821 by Bulgarian settlers. The town is considered the unofficial capital of the Bessarabian Bulgarians. On October 29, 1838, through the efforts and funds of the Bulgarian settlers, the Bolhrad Cathedral of the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord was consecrated.

Twenty years later, in 1858, the first Bulgarian high school Sts Cyril and Methodius (known today as the Georgi Sava Rakovski Bolhrad High School) opened its doors.

In modern Ukraine, the city of Bolhrad is the administrative centre of the Bolhrad District following the administrative-territorial reform of July 17, 2020. The district comprises 10 municipalities, in which over 60% of the population is Bulgarian.