site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Prioritizes High-Tech Cooperation, Technology Transfer in Economic Ties with U.S.

High-tech manufacturing, technology transfer, and the commercialization of scientific research are priority areas in the trade and economic cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States. Other important fields include digitalization, connectivity, and clean technologies, said here on Thursday Irena Mladenova, caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth, at the opening of the third international conference “Explore U.S.” at the InterContinental Hotel. The event is jointly organized by the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, in support of Bulgarian companies seeking to develop joint business ventures with U.S. businesses or to enter the American market.

In view of the scale of the U.S. economy, Minister Mladenova said that Bulgaria and the United States can do much more to stimulate joint activities in these areas, promote bilateral trade, and provide additional momentum for the further development and expansion of their economic relations. 

“At the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, we are working to further deepen bilateral economic ties, especially in areas related to innovation, high technologies, and investment promotion,” she added, emphasizing that the United States is among Bulgaria’s leading and priority trade partners. 

According to Mladenova, the U.S. market is among the main export destinations for Bulgarian products, particularly in the high-tech sector, and Bulgarian companies in this field have the potential to participate in joint projects, scientific research, and collaborative production processes. 

The Minister stated that Bulgarian business has proven its role as a regional leader in the technology sector, innovation, and trade, and expressed confidence that Bulgaria has the potential to expand its presence in international markets. 

McDowell welcomed the participants of the forum and said that the United States is open to joint business initiatives and expressed hope that the initiative would help investors find the right locations and solutions, as well as suitable partners and deals. He noted that there are numerous opportunities available across different U.S. states. 

The U.S. diplomat added that, building on the ideals on which his country was founded, the U.S. continues to seek new opportunities, linking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 2026 with the potential to deepen trade and economic relations between the two countries.

McDowell also used the conference to announce the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Forum, which will take place in Maryland in May.

He pointed out that the Embassy’s commercial section had organized last year the first large, broadly representative Bulgarian delegation to the investment forum, including companies from the software sector, the defense industry, logistics, and smart city technologies.