Innovation Minister Donchev: We Must Build Better Cooperation with Japan in All Fields

Dimitrina Solakova, Delyan Petrishki

Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev at the opening of the Bulgarian-Japanese business forum, Sofia, June 25, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

25.06.2025 10:19

(BTA)

Opening a Bulgarian-Japanese business forum here on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev said that on the platform of the excellent bilateral political relations, "we must build further with better cooperation in all fields: technologies, education, culture, and more active cooperation in the business field." The bilateral business forum on infrastructure, energy, and digitization is organized by the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

"Our task is easy and difficult. Easy, because we have come a long way. Political contacts are intensifying. We have a lot to show and boast about in terms of cooperation in the economic sphere - in the energy sector, the automotive industry, information technology (IT), the food industry and artificial intelligence (AI)," Donchev said. "But the task is also difficult, because we have high expectations. Because we know we can do much more," he added.

In his words, the business forum and visit of Japanese business leaders represent one of the steps that will bring Bulgaria and Japan closer to the expected outcome.

Donchev stressed the fact that Bulgaria is well known in Japan, but also told the delegates that the real image of the country is very different from the familiar one - from the food and agricultural production industry.

"Bulgaria is developing. Since the beginning of its EU membership, Bulgaria has increased its gross domestic product in nominal terms four times. Bulgaria has regained its potential in industry, mechanical engineering, mechatronics. The country is a leader in IT and a leader in this part of Europe in terms of AI, which I am convinced opens up new opportunities," he said.

During the forum, Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the InvestBulgaria Agency, and Susumu Kataoka, President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two organizations.

Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Akiyoshi Kato, with a delegation of about 50 representatives of Japanese companies, began a two-day visit to Bulgaria on June 24. The main purpose of the visit is to explore investment opportunities and expand bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors.

/DS/