site.btaPM Radev Calls on Bulgaria and Czechia to Move Beyond Trade, Develop Technology and Industry Together
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria and Czechia should move beyond trade and work together to develop technology, industry and marketing, while jointly offering their new technologies and products on third-country markets. Radev was speaking at a Bulgarian-Czech business forum in Sofia held as part of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis's official visit on Wednesday.
Seven bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the two prime ministers.
Bulgaria and Czechia have historical ties dating back 150 years, said Radev. He highlighted the contribution of Czech scientists, engineers, architects, teachers and artists to the development of Bulgaria after its Liberation [from Ottoman rule in 1878].
The two countries have the political will to deepen their cooperation, Radev said. "Our ambition is to move beyond trade," he said. He noted that two-way trade is approaching EUR 3 billion, while Czech investment in Bulgaria exceeds EUR 500 million.
Radev said Bulgaria has much to offer Czech businesses, highlighting the country's strategic geographical location and opportunities to develop transport, energy and digital corridors, logistics centres and infrastructure projects.
He also identified the Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, as an area for cooperation. Bulgaria has a key position on this corridor and can offer a partnership based on its strategic geographical location, Radev said.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in transport, pointing to the delivery of new trains to Bulgaria and the possibility of establishing a logistics, service and maintenance centre in the country for Skoda and other Czech transport products.
The two countries' defence industry cooperation has traditionally been strong, Radev said, adding that opportunities should now also be sought in drones, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare systems. He also identified cybersecurity and air traffic management as potential areas for cooperation.
Radev listed space technologies, information technology, artificial intelligence and data centres among the promising areas for cooperation. He highlighted the development of Bulgaria's space industry and its IT and AI ecosystem.
Energy is another area with significant potential for cooperation, Radev said, identifying the development of small modular reactors as a future project on which Bulgaria and Czechia could join forces. He also pointed to opportunities to supply liquefied natural gas through terminals in Greece and Turkiye, as well as Bulgaria's developed gas interconnectors with neighbouring countries.
The forum is attended by 176 Bulgarian companies, Radev said. He called on Czech businesses to take advantage of opportunities to work with Bulgarian companies and build on the two countries' long-standing historical ties.
/PD/
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