Bulgarian – Egyptian business forum and bilateral business meetings

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a Bulgarian – Egyptian business forum. The event was organized jointly with the Embassy of Egypt in Sofia and with the participation of partner organizations from Egypt.

The forum was officially opened by Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI, who emphasized the Chamber’s good cooperation with partners from Egypt. He said that active actions by businesses and institutions are needed for recovery. "Our task is to provide businesses with reliable information so that companies can start dialogue with each other, develop cooperation, and why not even joint investments," he also noted. Simeonov shared that the macroeconomic situation in Bulgaria remains stable and expectations for the future are optimistic.

H.E. Khalid Ibrahim Emara, Ambassador of Egypt in Sofia, reviewed the bilateral relations and trade between Bulgaria and Egypt in recent years, emphasizing the geostrategic position of both countries: Egypt – as an entrance to Africa, and Bulgaria - as an entrance to the EU and the Balkans. The Ambassador presented the delegation and their programme, which continues with meetings in Sofia and a business forum in Varna on 2 December 2022.

The forum continued with a presentation of the business climate in both countries. Hristo Etropolski from the InvestBulgaria Agency introduced the guests to the economic and investment climate in Bulgaria, emphasizing the macroeconomic indicators of Bulgaria, the tax system and the leading economic sectors.

Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, said that Bulgaria and the Arab countries have a rich historical foundation, but there is still untapped potential in the trade and economic relations. He emphasizes the need to build a strategic alliance between the countries and cooperation in the field of energy, high technologies, the construction of hubs, etc.

H.E. Dr. Alaa Ezz, Secretary General of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, presented leading sectors in Egypt's economy, including renewable energy sources, aquaculture and fisheries, natural gas supplies, etc.

Representatives of the Egyptian Investment Agency supplemented the information on the investment climate in the country, and the Ministry of Tourism presented the opportunities for cultural and religious tourism in the region.

The official part and the presentations were followed by an introduction of the Egyptian companies and bilateral meetings with representatives of the Bulgarian business community.