Bulgarian-Libyan Economic Forum in Sofia: New Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Embassy of Libya and the Council of Libyan Chambers of Commerce organised a Bulgarian-Libyan Economic Forum in Sofia.

The event aimed to renew the economic interest in the two countries, which, according to the BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov, have traditionally good business relations. At the opening of the event, he stated that in times of change, the Chambers of commerce from the two countries are working on developing better awareness of the business and on the opportunities for economic cooperation.

The caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry, Dr Petko Nikolov, took part in the forum and shared that there is potential for the development of trade and economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Libya.

The opening was further attended by Abubaker Saleh, Ambassador of Libya, Anwar Abu Sitta, Member of the Board of the Council of the Libyan Chambers of Commerce and President of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, as well as by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.

The forum was also attended by more than 40 Bulgarian and Libyan companies working in the field of trade in food and drink products, pharmacy, medical products, agricultural equipment, etc.

"Today's event is a wonderful opportunity to present the advantages and opportunities that Bulgaria and Libya can offer each other - from quality products and technologies to specific know-how in different sectors," Nikolov pointed out. He added that some key areas for cooperation can be agriculture, the food and drink industry, information and communication technologies, tourism, healthcare, mechanical engineering and the chemical industry.

Ambassador Saleh noted that the diplomatic relations between the two countries have been developing successfully for 60 years now. More than half a million Bulgarian experts - engineers, doctors and other professionals - have worked in Libya. The North African country is known in Bulgaria and vice versa. Libya, on its part, records a rapid growth in many areas. The country has partners from many European and non-European countries. The Ambassador raised the question for the need for Bulgaria to open again a diplomatic mission in Libya so that entry visas are obtained more easily by Libyan citizens, in particular, by those with interests in the field of business.

Anwar Abu Sitta, Member of the Board of the Council of Libyan Chambers of Commerce and President of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, turned to the participants and confirmed the readiness and interest, expressed by Libya, in partnership, especially in the areas of agriculture, the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry and construction, among others.

Presentations on the economic and investment environment in Bulgaria and Libya were given by representatives of the Bulgarian Investment Agency and the Council of the Libyan Chambers of Commerce.

The event continued with lively bilateral talks.