The BCCI and the ICC of South Africa signed a Memorandum of cooperation

During the business forum held in Pretoria on May 12, the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tsvetan Simeonov and his counterpart - Mtho Xulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed a document that will support cooperation between business organizations and companies from both countries.

Simeonov pointed out that so far, the contacts between the two countries in the field of commerce and economy have been mostly focused on the study of market opportunities, exchange of economic information, working and business visits of Bulgarian and South African companies, but the Chambers of commerce are now ready to enhance these forms of cooperation. Exports from Bulgaria to the Republic of South Africa /in the amount of 225.1 million USD for 2022/ have reached an increase of over 200%, mainly due to the large quantities of sunflower oil; kraft paper and kraft cardboard and automatic information processing machines exported from Bulgaria. At the same time, imports from the South African Republic to our country have also increased significantly to the amount of USD 119.5 million.

These figures are indicative of the recent upward tendencies in trade, a good demonstration of the growing interest businesses from both Bulgaria and South Africa have shown in mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership.

The business forum in Pretoria was attended by representatives of 31 Bulgarian companies, branch organizations and over 40 leading business organizations from the Republic of South Africa. The Bulgarian and South African companies held numerous meetings in the field of information technology and innovation, fintech industry, mechanical engineering, energy, pharmaceutical and defense industry, agriculture and food industry.

The forum and the meetings were part of the Agenda of the Delegation, led by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria during his visit to South Africa last week.

President Radev took part in the closing session of the business forum. He expressed the will and the ambition of Bulgaria to reignite and energise its cooperation with the Republic of South Africa, a key factor both internationally and on the African continent.

Within the framework of the program, the delegation attended the opening of the Exhibition "Bulgarian support for the struggle of the South African people against apartheid and social discrimination."

On the last day of the visit, the Bulgarian delegation attended the Consecration of the first Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Africa "St. Ivan Rilski" in Midrand , Johannesburg.

Since 2009, there has been a Bulgarian Sunday school called "Sun" in Midrand and this is where Pesident Radev made a visit to during his visit to the Republic of South Africa.

A meeting was held between the Bulgarian delegation and the Association of Bulgarians in South Africa. The meeting provided additional opportunities for the Bulgarian companies to get aquaintied with the businesses of the Bulgarian migrants in this part of the world and identify new opportunities for the future.