The Most Successful Offices for Commercial and Economic Affairs were Honoured at a Ceremony in BCCI

At an online ceremony, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, awarded the most successful Offices for Commercial and Economic Affairs (OCEA) of our country for 2023, which are located abroad.

Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI, opened officially the ceremony. "It is extremely pleasant to see such a serious army of Bulgaria's trade representatives abroad," he said. Mr Simeonov emphasised the fact that it is now the 14^th consecutive year in which BCCI, together with the Ministry of Economy and Industry (MEI), is giving these awards despite the complicated and dynamic times. He noted that the ceremony represents modest recognition for the merits of Bulgaria's trade representatives abroad, namely, for providing services to the Bulgarian businesses and raising the visibility of Bulgaria at international level. Mr Simeonov added that the evaluation is made on the basis of objective indicators, which include the statistical data on the change of export, investments and tourists, as well as the assessment of the businesses, the BCCI and the Ministry itself. Mr Simeonov announced that BCCI conducted a Survey on the OCEAs work with Bulgarian businesses.

Dr. Petko Nikolov, Minister of Economy and Industry, said that the main tasks of the economic advisors, seconded to the Offices for Commercial and Economic Affairs, continue to be aimed at actively supporting the activities of Bulgarian companies to expand their positions in international markets, to penetrate new markets and to popularise Bulgaria as an attractive investment and tourist destination. These tasks shall be carried out in close cooperation with the representatives of the Bulgarian business circles and in consideration of the priorities and needs of the business.

Minister Nikolov pointed out that the joint work of OCEAs with business organisations such as BCCI facilitates Bulgaria's penetration into innovation and high-tech markets and supply chains.

Minister Nikolov awarded the winner in the ranking for the best results for 2023. "HERMES" bronze statuette and a Diploma were conferred to  the Commercial and Economic Affairs Offices of Bulgaria in Turkey for their merits in developing trade and economic relations between the two countries and their contribution towards increasing the Bulgarian export abroad, the foreign investments and tourists in Bulgaria, as well as towards achieving the objectives and tasks of BCCI.

The second place was awarded to OCEA Poland and the third place - to OCEA Japan. Encouraging Diplomas were awarded to the OCEAs in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and France.

Tsvetan Simeonov wished all trade representatives to continue their active work and interaction with Bulgarian companies and business organisations.