Bulgarian-Ukrainian business forum was held in Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgarian-Ukrainian business forum was held in Sofia. At the opening of the event, the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tsvetan Simonov expressed his satisfaction with what has been done so far for the implementation of the forum, organized by the Executive Agency for the Promotion of SMEs, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry.

"Relations between the two chambers continue, despite the difficult conditions. BCCI is optimistic and hopes that soon, freely and without difficulties we will continue to carry out our economic cooperation," said Simeonov. He emphasized that the live presence of businessmen from Ukraine in Sofia is highly appreciated. "Maintaining contacts, even in difficult conditions, is a guarantee of success in the future when the real reconstruction of Ukraine begins," he added. "The presence of companies from the dairy industry is a surprise, but also a good prospect for using the moment to expand cooperation." informs Simeonov.

The forum was also attended by companies from the sectors: ICT, including fintech and advanced technologies, energy, food industry and agriculture, logistics and infrastructure.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Dimitar Glavchev sent an address to the participants and organizers of the event.

The Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria, Dr. Petko Nikolov, pointed out in his welcome that the event is an opportunity for direct contacts at many levels, but especially for business. The cooperation between the two countries is traditional, and the prospect for the development of bilateral relations is strengthened with the active constructive dialogue between the institutions and with the series of meetings organized by the chambers of commerce of the two countries.

Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine also addressed the participants of the forum and stressed that active work is being done to change the movement of trade flows between Ukraine and Bulgaria in order to use the waterways through the Black Sea. Trade relations between the two countries are conditioned by the association agreement of Ukraine with the EU, which will be renewed this year and actively implemented.

H.E. Yulia Ilaschuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in Sofia said that the event is a symbol of the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, despite the difficult times.

Gennaidiy Chizhikov, Chairman of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the delegation from his side is in Bulgaria to seek and offer cooperation. It needs practical steps to continue the long-term partnership between Bulgaria and Ukraine. Businesses can complement each other, help each other and be realized jointly in third markets. The volume of exports from Ukraine is 100 million tons of goods /60% agricultural production/ per year, which are currently exported by land. The two countries must also develop sea routes, activate the logistics sector. Chizhikov also sees opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, including bioenergy production. He emphasized that the mixed chambers in both countries also help - the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and the Ukrainian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine Viktor Kantsurak also took part in the event and highlighted the interaction in agriculture and farming.

In two panels dedicated to business and investment opportunities and cooperation in the energy sector, many useful facts and data about the economies and individual industries in both countries were shared.

30 companies from Ukraine and over 60 Bulgarian companies participated in the forum, which continued with bilateral talks, meeting new potential partners, and establishing direct contacts between Bulgarian and Ukrainian enterprises.