Average Annual Growth Rate of Trade between China and CEE since 2012 Is 8.8%

Nikolay Zabov

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Lozana Vasileva speaking at the forum, Sofia, June 26, 2025 (BTA Photo/Anelia Tsvetkova)

Sofia,

26.06.2025 14:51

(BTA)

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Lozana Vasileva said that Bulgaria supports, participates in and cooperates with China in the implementation of the Chinese initiatives The Economic Belt of the Silk Road and Sea Silk Road and the initiative for cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Vasileva, who spoke at an international conference entitled 10 Years APACCCEEC [Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries]: Bridge for Cooperation Between China and the CEE countries here on Thursday, said that since the launch of the initiative in 2012, the average annual growth rate of trade between China and CEE has been 8.8%, exceeding the growth rate of China's total foreign trade.

Vasileva said that the cooperation initiative between China and CEE has proven to be a useful mechanism for further developing cooperation, creating a framework for multi-dimensional cooperation that covers more than 20 sectors. She added that the cooperation mechanism has contributed to trade between China and CEE countries reaching a record USD 142 billion in 2024, meaning an annual growth rate of 6.3%.

The Deputy Minister reported that Bulgaria is successfully cooperating with China within the 14+1 multilateral format. She described the APACCCEEC as a proven important tool for promoting cooperation and trade in agri-food products.

Over the years, the Association has helped set up national pavilions of CEE countries in China's free trade zones, which act as a permanent platform for promotion and trade in the cities of Hangzhou and Shanghai, Vasileva said and added that the APACCCEEC has signed cooperation agreements with numerous Chinese organizations.

/RY/