site.btaBulgarian-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Launched in Sofia

The Bulgarian-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) was officially launched on Friday at a ceremony held at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Anton Kostadinov, the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Agneza Rusi-Popovska, mayors and deputy mayors from municipalities in Southwestern Bulgaria, the Chair of the Macedonian–Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce Biljana Miteva, and business representatives from both countries. Atanas Radev will serve as chair of the newly established bilateral chamber.

In his address, Radev called for building bridges between the two neighboring countries and overcoming divisions. 
“We decided to establish the BMCCI in order to build, on Bulgaria’s side, the foundation of a bridge whose other foundation has already been laid by the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

According to Anton Kostadinov, the bridge between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia is almost fully built despite the challenges in their relations in recent years.
“Our goals are clear - economic cooperation, partnership across various sectors, and deepening economic ties,” he added.

Kostadinov described the current trade turnover between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, which stands at EUR 1.3 billion, is “too small for the potential of our economic relations.” He also highlighted sectors with strong potential for closer cooperation, including energy, construction, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and agriculture, and called for a pragmatic, constructive, and forward-looking dialogue between business organizations in both countries.

Ambassador Agneza Rusi-Popovska, introduced by Radev as an initiator of the Chamber’s establishment, described the event as a clear sign for unlocking the trade and economic potential between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. She emphasized that Bulgaria is among North Macedonia’s most important trading partners, not only as a neighboring market but also as a gateway to the European Union, and linked the deepening of economic ties to North Macedonia’s European integration process.

She noted that trade relations between the two countries have remained stable over the years, with Bulgaria maintaining a strong export presence while North Macedonia is gradually integrating into regional supply chains. At the same time, she called for boosting investment activity, which she described as modest and indicative of untapped potential.

The Ambassador also pointed to key sectors for enhanced cooperation, including energy, manufacturing, transport, and digital services. She acknowledged that insufficient infrastructure between the two countries hampers the development of full-scale economic ties and stressed the importance of a predictable and stable business environment for attracting long-term investment.

Ivan Todorov, Vice President of the BCCI, also emphasized the need for improved connectivity, including road, rail, and air, and highlighted the significant but still underutilized potential for business relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. He assured participants that the BCCI stands ready to support upcoming business forums.

Alongside the ceremony, the BMCCI held its first initiative - a Bulgarian–Macedonian Business Forum. According to Atanas Radev, the forum aims to strengthen business relations between the two countries, create new opportunities for joint ventures, future forms of cooperation and projects, and maintain strong ties with state and municipal institutions. The chamber plans to organize two such forums annually - one in Bulgaria and one in North Macedonia.