site.btaBulgaria, Hungary Hold Cooperation Forum

Hungary is among Bulgaria’s key trade and investment partners, Economy and Industry Deputy Minister Doncho Barbalov said at a forum dedicated to cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the economy and industry. The event is taking place in hybrid format in the Hungarian city of Kecskemet, the Economy Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

The forum is part of the initiative “Days of Bulgaria in Kecskemet, Hungary”. On Wednesday, a discussion was held focusing on bilateral partnerships in education, agriculture and tourism. The events are jointly organized by the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bacs-Kiskun County, the John von Neumann University in Kecskemet, with the support of Dr Jordan Bocskov, Bulgaria’s Honorary Consul in Hungary.

Barbalov noted that in the first five months of 2025, trade between Bulgaria and Hungary exceeded EUR 990 million, demonstrating the sustainable growth potential of the economic partnership between the two countries.

He noted that the forum is being held at a time when Bulgaria is taking on an increasingly strategic role in Europe. The Deputy Minister pointed to Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership and preparations for adopting the euro, which will make transactions easier and more secure, reduce transaction costs and provide a predictable macroeconomic environment for investors. These are not merely political decisions but tangible advantages and guarantees for companies choosing Bulgaria as their business destination, Barbalov said, adding that the country’s unique geographical position also makes it a natural bridge between the European Union and Southeastern Europe.

Energy diversification is another factor directly affecting business, the Deputy Minister noted, adding that the completion of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector and the development of the vertical gas corridor not only reduce dependence on a single supplier but also provide industrial consumers with assurance that Bulgaria is a stable and reliable partner.