About 12% of the candidates for commercial attachés are Bulgarians from abroad

12% of the candidates who submitted documents for new commercial representatives of Bulgaria abroad are compatriots who live outside the country. This is shown by the analysis of the profile of the candidates participating in the competition procedure for trade attachés in the 23 vacant positions announced by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in 21 countries around the world.

The election is held in three directions - "European countries", "CIS countries" and "Asia, Africa, America and Australia".

The procedure for selecting new sales representatives is currently in its second stage. After the first, after checking the submitted documents to see if the candidates meet the initially announced requirements, out of the 194 submitted applications for participation, 147 were approved.

The general profile of the candidates admitted to the second stage shows that they have an economic education, with many additional specializations, courses, trainings, with proven experience in the field of economic activities, foreign economic and commercial relations and command of at least 3 foreign languages.

By December 22, they had to present an analysis of the existing bilateral foreign economic and commercial relations of the Republic of Bulgaria with the country they are applying for. Contestants were also expected to highlight potential opportunities for development, investment and trade in the next four years.

Currently, the Commission for the selection of candidates for long-term secondment in the Offices for Commercial and Economic Affairs at the overseas representations of the Republic of Bulgaria is evaluating the submitted analyses. For the first time, it ensures the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the nationally represented employers' organizations, experts from scientific circles, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations. Completeness of scope, accuracy, timeliness, argumentation and personal approach will be sought in applicants' papers.

Applicants who pass the second stage will pass a language and digital skills test before being invited to an interview, which will include all members of the renewed competitive selection committee.

The expectations are that the new representatives in the Offices for Trade and Economic Affairs (OTEA) of Bulgaria will be announced within the first quarter of 2024.