site.btaDeputy Economy Minister Barbalov: Bulgaria Sees Kuwait as Key Partner in the Middle East

Strengthening cooperation with Kuwait, both bilaterally and within the EU’s initiative to elevate relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to a strategic partnership level, is in Bulgaria’s interest, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov said at the Ninth EU-GCC Business Forum in Kuwait, the Economy Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.

Barbalov noted that ties between Bulgaria and Kuwait are traditionally strong and supported by a solid legal framework. "Bulgaria views Kuwait as an important partner in the Middle East. It was the first Gulf Arab state with which we established diplomatic relations," he said.

The forum was attended by EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic, EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and European Investment Bank Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris. It was officially opened by Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi and other senior Kuwaiti officials also present.

The event featured a business exhibition with participants from Bulgaria and 15 EU member states.

During his visit, Barbalov met with Emad Al Zaid, Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss opportunities for expanding economic and investment cooperation. "Let this meeting mark a good start for deepening our relations," Barbalov said, emphasizing the need to revive the Joint Bulgarian-Kuwaiti Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation and to enhance transport connectivity.

Al Zaid highlighted investment opportunities in Kuwait’s hotel sector and expressed interest in increasing imports of traditional Bulgarian products such as white cheese and rose oil, which are highly valued in Kuwait. He proposed organizing an exhibition of Bulgarian products in Kuwait and facilitating meetings between Bulgarian and Kuwaiti companies.

Both sides also underlined that resuming direct flights between Bulgaria and Kuwait would significantly boost business ties and tourism.

Bulgarian business representatives attending the meeting, organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), presented their companies and potential areas for partnership.