site.btaBulgarian Economy Minister, Egypt's Foreign Trade Minister Discuss Record Bilateral Trade, Future Cooperation

Bulgaria’s Economy and Industry Minister Peter Dilov and Egypt’s Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan ElKhatib held a meeting in Cairo to discuss bilateral economic cooperation across a number of sectors, the Bulgarian Economy Ministry reported on Tuesday.

During the discussion, it was noted that Egypt is the largest trade and economic partner of Bulgaria in the Middle East and Africa, while Bulgaria ranks among Egypt’s top eight EU trading partners in 2024. Trade figures confirm that the bilateral trade in 2024 rose by 43% year-on-year, exceeding USD 1.8 billion, the highest level ever recorded in relations between the two countries.

ElKhatib stressed that Egypt values its longstanding partnership with Bulgaria and seeks to strengthen cooperation in priority areas. 

Minister Dilov is heading the Bulgarian delegation participating in the Second Session of the Bulgarian-Egyptian Intergovernmental Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, which will take place in Cairo from December 2 to 4. The two Ministers agreed that the upcoming session will serve as an important platform for advancing cooperation, boosting private-sector partnerships and exploring new investment opportunities.

Dilov was also an official guest at the opening of the Fourth edition of EDEX-2025, the largest defence technology exhibition on the African continent. During the event, he held talks with Egypt’s State Minister for Military Production Mohamed Salah El-Din Mostafa. The two discussed cooperation in the defence industry, which remains one of the most dynamic areas of bilateral relations. “Bulgarian companies traditionally participate in EDEX, and this year nearly ten Bulgarian firms are representing our country,” Dilov said.

A significant increase in bilateral trade in defence-related products was also reported for the 2024–2025 period, indicating strong interest and trust on the part of Egypt. More than 450 companies from 86 countries, including Bulgaria, are taking part in the Fourth edition of EDEX-2025. Exhibitors include firms from Bulgaria, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Turkiye, South Korea, the United States and others.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Egypt Deyan Katratchev also attended the meetings.