site.btaVratsa Mayor Identifies Education, Agriculture, High Tech as Key Areas for Cooperation with China

Vratsa Mayor Kalin Kamenov Saturday identified education, agriculture and high technology as key areas for expanding cooperation with China. He spoke to the Bulgarian News Agency after he took part in an official Bulgarian delegation to China. According to Kamenov, during talks with representatives of Fuyang, Jieshou and Mianyang, agreements were reached to hold further meetings and develop partnerships specifically in these areas. He added that the aim of the visit was to present Vratsa as a destination for tourism, business and investment, as well as a “gateway to Europe,” while the contacts established during the visit provide a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Kamenov said the Chinese side has shown strong interest in Bulgarian wine production. He said there had even been attempts to cultivate some varieties in China, but the specific soil conditions there do not allow the same quality to be achieved. He added that he would help establish contacts between Chinese partners and wine producers from northwestern Bulgaria.

The talks also covered opportunities for cooperation in high technology and the automotive industry. Further negotiations, trips to specialized trade fairs and visits by the Chinese representatives to Vratsa are planned, Kamenov noted.

The mayor said official meetings with the leadership of Fuyang, Jieshou and Mianyang had been held in Beijing and Ningbo-Zhoushan, where opportunities for trade and educational exchanges were discussed.

Kamenov said that the visit also included a presentation of the Centre for Energy Development and New Sciences project, which was warmly received. He added that Chinese companies had expressed interest in potential partnerships, although the implementation of such cooperation also depends on more active government support for the project.

Kamenov was part of a delegation of mayors and regional governors accompanying the official Bulgarian government delegation that took part in the 19th session of the Bulgarian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission in Beijing.