Bulgaria’s Commercial Attaché at the Commercial and Economic Section in Erbil outlined the economic situation in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan

Dimitar Ugrinov, Commercial Attaché at Bulgaria’s Commercial and Economic Section in Erbil visited BCCI and briefed President Tsvetan Simeonov about the current economic situation in Iraq. Ugrinov pointed out the opportunities for cooperation with the Middle Eastern republic and shared the opinion of the business community (particularly the one in Iraqi Kurdistan) that effective economic relations with Bulgaria would not be possible without the establishment of a Bulgarian Consular Office in the country.

Among the discussed topics were the unutilized potential for Bulgarian exports to Iraq, especially in the field of foodstuff and ICT, as well as potential competitors of Bulgarian business in the region.

The channels to inform the public institutions and individual companies about available business opportunities in Iraq and Kurdistan were also discussed.

BCCI informed that it is preparing a visit to Bulgaria of representatives of the Iraqi and Kurdistan chambers of commerce. The first visit is expected to take place in the period 26^th – 30^th September 2016. During it a bilateral business forum will be held at BCCI with the participation of the Presidents of the Kurdistan chambers of the capital city Erbil and of the cities of Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah.

Bulgarian companies that would like to participate in the forum can contact “International Cooperation and International Organizations” Directorate at BCCI, tel.: +359 2 8117 497 (494, 421), e-mail: v.velichkov@bcci.bg ,m.markova@bcci.bg.