site.btaVarna Hosts International Conference on Connectivity in Black Sea Region

An international conference on the connectivity in the Black Sea Region took place on Friday in Varna.

The conference programme brought together key panels and discussions dedicated to innovations in maritime transport, coastal tourism, financing opportunities and the future of shipbuilding. Hydrogen technologies for the maritime sector, prospects for the Bulgarian shipbuilding industry, as well as innovative projects created by young scientists were presented. The discussions focused on the development of new partnerships and regional initiatives in the Black Sea region.

Among the official participants in the opening were Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, Delilah Al-Khudhairy, Director of Maritime Policy and Blue Economy at the European Commission’s DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Deputy Transport Minister Angel Zaburtov, and Bulgarian Maritime Chamber Chair Alexander Kalchev.

"The maritime sector is strategic not only for our city, but also for the entire country," Kotsev said, adding that Varna has potential for development in shipbuilding, tourism, fisheries and the blue economy, but unity between local and central authorities, business and education is needed. "I hope that such forums will become a tradition and lead to real actions and cooperation," he said.

The event is organized by the Transport and Communications Ministry, the Maritime Cluster Bulgaria, the National Hub for the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism and the Bulgarian Maritime Chamber.