Minister Pulev: We reached a record 8 billion euro trade with Romania, growth is over 23%

Romania is among Bulgaria's key partners. Bilateral trade reaches record values in 2022. This is confirmed by the accelerated growth rate of trade between the two countries, which increased by 23.7% compared to the previous year and amounted to nearly 8 billion euros. This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Alexander Pulev, during his meeting on Tuesday with the Ambassador of Romania to our country, H.E. Ms. Brandusha Joanna Predescu.

The two discussed the activation of economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania. Emphasis in the conversation was placed on the preparation of a bilateral business forum, which the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (EASME) of MIG will organize. The aim is to promote bilateral partnerships in priority sectors, by organizing b2b meetings between companies from both countries. At the meeting, it became clear that the event is planned to be held in mid-June in Northern Bulgaria. A second phase of the process is planned - in Romania.

Minister Pulev and Ambassador Predescu talked about the strengthening of economic relations in the context of the signed declaration on raising bilateral cooperation to the level of strategic partnership by the presidents of Bulgaria Rumen Radev and Romania Klaus Iohannis. The two united around the opinion that the Declaration signed in March this year is a new stage in the relations between the two countries.

Pulev and Predescu also talked about contacts within the "Three Seas" initiative, for which the Minister of Innovation and Growth is the national coordinator. The two pointed out that the initiative is key to the connectivity of the region in the field of transport, energy and digital infrastructure. "The investment fund for "Three Seas" is a financial mechanism for the implementation of the priority projects in the region, and we are working to raise capital from investors from the Middle East for it," emphasized Minister Pulev.

According to MIG data, trade with Romania in 2022 will amount to nearly 8 billion euros, which is an increase of 23.7% compared to the previous year. Bulgarian exports reached 4.5 billion euros, which is an increase of 28.1% compared to 2021. Imports from Romania to Bulgaria in 2022 reached 3.5 billion euros.

The meeting was also attended by the young people from the initiative of Junior Achievement Bulgaria, which was hosted by MIG and Minister Alexander Pulev today.