On 29th August 2011, in Sofia, the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov and the Vice-President, Mr. Georgy Stoev met with Mr. Jiri Michalek, Marketing Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe Ltd., Prague Office in order to encourage Japanese investments in the country.
Mr. Michalek made a brief presentation of the company, underlying the variety of products and potential spheres for cooperation. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe Ltd. offers over 700 products of the shipbuilding industry, nuclear energy systems, power systems, aircrafts, infrastructure systems machinery and equipment. Special attention was given to some of the company’s initiatives, such as the investments in Kaliakra and Condex EOOD, which is the company’s official distributor of air-conditioning equipment in Bulgaria.
Mr. Stoev introduced the guest to the conditions for membership in the Bulgarian – Japanese Business Council and the possibilities for EU funding of innovative products in Bulgaria. BCCI will assist the company in researching the market and finding new partners. Direct meetings with potential Bulgarian suppliers will be organized. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe Ltd. has interests in metallurgy, accessories for power plants, green energy, and production of fork lifts. The representative of the company assured that they are open for cooperation in other areas as well and none of the forms of cooperation will be ignored.
Currently, Japan is among the biggest investors in the Czech Republic. Due to the investments of Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech (TPCA) in the Czech Republic, many Japanese companies invest in the country as well because of the low taxes and good infrastructure. BCCI’s President confirmed the Chamber’s readiness to cooperate with Mitsubishi Europe and emphasized the advantages of Bulgaria as a good investment destination.