New opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and Russia in the field of medicine and pharmacy were discussed by business representatives from both countries

At BCCI, a Bulgarian – Russian forum “Medicine and Pharmacy – 2018” was held. Among the official guests of the event were the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour, Social and Demographic Policy, the Deputy Ministers of Health and Economy, the Social Policy and Healthcare Secretary of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, representatives of the Embassy and the Commercial Section of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria, and the Presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry of Bulgaria and the Russian Federation.

More than 80 representatives of Bulgarian and Russian institutions, professional and trade associations, and companies from both countries discussed the new opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and Russia in the field of medicine and pharmacy.

“Bulgaria is a promising country for the entire region. Strengthening health is one of the most important sectors. I am glad that today at BCCI there are also business representatives from Macedonia and Greece”, said the President of BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov in his opening speech.

During the plenary session, positions on the economic and investment aspects of health policies were expressed by the Bulgarian Drug Agency with the Minister of Health, the Bulgarian Association of Medical Devices Entrepreneurs, the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union, the InvestBulgaria Agency, the Commercial Section of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria, and the Association of Russian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.

The round table discussion on theme “Health Policies – Economy and Investments in Healthcare in the Context of the Bulgarian – Russian Relations” was moderated by Dr. Tanya Andreeva, Bulgarian Minister of Health in the period 2013 – 2014, and Dr. Victor Dmitriyev, CEO of the Association of Russian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. The discussion focused on the opportunities for mutual investments in healthcare and the prospects for the development of the Bulgarian – Russian relations in health policy.

“Sanatorium and Spa Treatment – Wellness Tourism and Rehabilitation” was the topic of the second round table discussion with the participation of leading medical centers in the Bulgarian resorts. Special attention was paid to rehabilitation after professional and sports injuries. The possibility for provision of logistic and administrative support for the construction of rehabilitation hospitals with Russian investments was also discussed. The Russian representatives presented the sanatorium and spa treatment of the North Caucasus region.

The event was organized at the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, in cooperation with the Bulgarian – Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.