site.btaPM Radev: Bulgaria, Baden-Württemberg Have Room for Stronger Business Ties

Bulgaria seeks closer economic and investment ties with Baden-Württemberg, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Friday after meeting Landtag President Thomas Strobl, the Government press service said. 

Radev described Germany as one of Bulgaria’s leading economic and investment partners. Strobl headed a delegation from the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg.

Radev said Bulgaria was ready to help organize a business forum where major Baden-Württemberg companies not yet present in Bulgaria could explore investment opportunities. He said the Bulgarian Government was working to further improve the business environment.

Radev welcomed German business interest in Bulgaria, saying the decision by many companies to expand their operations highlighted the potential for bilateral cooperation. He said German investment was important not only because of the strong volume of bilateral trade, but also because it offered an effective model for relations between the state, business and society.

The two sides discussed cooperation in several areas, with a focus on the defence industry. Radev cited examples of Bulgarian-German cooperation, including the project for the Bulgarian Navy’s multifunctional modular patrol vessels and the partnership with Rheinmetall.

Education and science, culture and tourism were also identified as promising areas for cooperation. The two sides discussed the mutual benefits of expanding cooperation in dual education and vocational training. They also noted that the large number of Bulgarians living and studying in Germany provided another bridge of friendship between the two countries.

Earlier on Friday, National Assembly Chair Michaela Dotsova also met Strobl, the National Assembly press office said. Dotsova and Strobl discussed closer parliamentary contacts and economic cooperation. “Germany is an important partner for us, and we would like to strengthen our ties at both bilateral and multilateral levels,” Dotsova said.