site.btaGerman Economy Awards 2022 Ceremony Held in Sofia

The German Economy Awards 2022 ceremony was held in Sofia at Thursday’s New Year reception of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce at the City Mark Art Centre.

The German Economy Award annually distinguishes companies that have contributed to the development of German-Bulgarian economic relations in the previous year.

The award in the Large Enterprise category was won by Bosch Bulgaria, announced by the German Ambassador, Irene Plank, and presented by the Minister of Economy. Dronamics EOOD was awarded in the Small and Medium Enterprises category, in the Social Commitment category the award went to Bosch Bulgaria, while Kinetik Automotive OOD received the award in the Startup Company category.

Traditionally, honorary diplomas for fruitful cooperation with the Chamber were awarded at the ceremony. Among the winners was the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and Tsvetomira Marinova, Director of the Economics Directorate at the Agency, accepted the award on behalf of BTA Director General Kiril Valchev.

Tim Kurth, President of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said during the ceremony that despite the challenges to international trade related to overcoming the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Germany retains its position as Bulgaria's leading trading partner. According to the latest updated federal statistics, trade between Bulgaria and Germany has reached a record high, amounting to EUR 11.127 billion for the period January-November 2022 - more than in the whole of 2021. Kurth pointed out that during this period Bulgarian exports were worth EUR 6.195 billion and imports from Germany were worth EUR 4.932 billion. Even in this difficult situation, the interest of German investors remained and several large investments were made, he added.

Caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov said that Germany is among Bulgaria's leading trade partners. He expressed satisfaction with the data from the Chamber's survey, according to which 100% of the respondent German companies said they would invest and start working in Bulgaria again.

Mitko Vassilev, General Manager of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, recalled that the ceremony was held for the 19th time and the aim was to celebrate the good examples and high results of the past year. He highlighted three important events for the year, including the 20th anniversary of the Bavarian Representation in Bulgaria, which will be celebrated from June 14 to 16, with an expected visit of the Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs with a business delegation. On September 20, 30 years of the German economy in Bulgaria will be celebrated and the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs has been invited. Within the anniversary celebrations there will be various initiatives focusing on the theme of "Staffing for Prosperity and Growth". The 22nd German Economy Ball will take place on October 21, 2023.

Former president Rosen Plevneliev (2012-2017) and diplomats were among the attendees of the ceremony.

BTA is media partner of the event.