Назад

Business forum commemorating 65 years of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Indonesia

With an impressive participation of representatives of institutions and businesses from both countries


An online business forum commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Indonesia was held this week. The event was organized by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Indonesia, in cooperation with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). More than 150 representatives of institutions and businesses from both countries took part in the forum.

The event was officially opened with video addresses by the foreign and economy ministers of both countries. BCCI was represented by the President Tsvetan Simeonov and Gabriela Dimitrova, Director “International Cooperation and International Organizations”.

Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, emphasized the need to promote trade relations between the two countries, working to remove trade barriers and restrictions on bilateral trade. She said the countries need to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic in deepening digitalisation and facilitating online business meetings.

Svetlan Stoev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, praised the friendly relations between the two countries and stressed the role of Indonesia as an important partner of our country in the dynamic region of Southeast Asia, including through multilateral formats such as the UN, the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership, and ASEM. Minister Stoev expressed the desire of the Bulgarian side to strengthen contacts and exchanges with Indonesia in a wide range of areas, emphasizing the importance and potential of cooperation in the trade and economic sphere.

Muhammad Lutfi, Minister of Trade of Indonesia, noted that a good basis for the development of bilateral relations is the growing trade - in 2020, Indonesia’s exports to Bulgaria have doubled. He pointed out the importance of the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Indonesia.

In her congratulatory address, Daniela Vezieva, Minister of Economy of Bulgaria, stated the readiness of the Bulgarian government to work for the expansion of trade and economic relations with Indonesia. She stressed the strategic location of Bulgaria, which could be a transit center for access of Indonesian goods to the European market.

Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI, reviewed the Chamber’s relations with Indonesian partners dating back to 1986. The first agreement between KADIN and BCCI was signed in 1990, when a visit with a 40-member delegation led by the President of the Chamber was organized. It gave a start to a number of joint events: business delegations and forums, presentations and meetings.

In 2019, BCCI organized the visit of Ms. Retno Marsudi to Bulgaria, and with the assistance of the Embassy of Indonesia in Bulgaria, regular presentations of trade and investment opportunities in Indonesia are being held. The President of BCCI stated the Chamber’s readiness to support not only Bulgarian companies, but also Indonesian businesses for the development of bilateral relations. Tsvetan Simeonov reminded that in the beginning of July 2020, BCCI awarded H.E. Mrs. Sri Astari Rasjid, Ambassador of Indonesia in Sofia, with an honorary diploma on the occasion of the end of her term of office in our country.

The forum continued with a discussion in the following panels: Trade and Investment; IT; Transport and Logistics. Gabriela Dimitrova, BCCI’s Director “International Cooperation and International Organizations”, reviewed the bilateral trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Indonesia, presenting the leading sectors in the Bulgarian economy, the country’s place in international rankings and the services which the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides to the business community. The presentation is available HERE.

The business forum ended with speeches by the ambassadors of both countries. H.E. Petar Andonov, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Indonesia and co-organizer of the event, said that diversification and expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries is needed. H.E. Iwan Bogananta, Ambassador of Indonesia to Bulgaria, presented the activities of the Embassy aimed at promoting the bilateral relations.

 


25.11.2021

Още новини:

Видео:

Назад