site.btaCzech Investments in Bulgaria Nearly EUR 500 Mln, Preliminary Data Show

Minister of Economy and Industry Peter Dilov Monday held a meeting with the leadership of the newly established Bulgarian-Czech Chamber of Commerce. The sides discussed the possibilities for intensifying the bilateral economic relations, the Ministry reported.

“In recent years our economic ties have been growing steadily, but the potential for even closer cooperation is significant,” Dilov said. He expressed confidence that the joint efforts of Bulgarian and Czech companies would contribute to the development of the competitiveness of the economies, especially in sectors such as industrial innovation, energy, high-tech manufacturing, and sustainable development.

At the meeting, it was announced that the Chamber will play the role of not only an active mediator between the two countries, but also a platform for institutional dialogue between the governmental authorities of the two countries.

Bulgarian-Czech Chamber of Commerce head Maxim Behar stressed that the priority for the organization will be the active presentation of the investment advantages of our country. "There is great potential for increasing Czech investments. We want to present Bulgaria among Czech companies, especially the opportunities of the Bulgarian economy in the field of industry," he said.

According to preliminary data of the Bulgarian National Bank, the total investments from the Czech Republic in Bulgaria amount to EUR 486.2 million.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Head of the Czech Embassy in Sofia Jan Indrich, and representatives of the Bulgarian-Czech Chamber of Commerce.

Minister Dilov stressed the importance of the meeting as the beginning of specific actions to expand economic cooperation and promote investment.