IBEC at the Bulgarian-Russian Investment Forum in Sofia

The Bulgarian-Russian Investment Forum took place in the centre of Sofia in the conference hall of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 19-20 October 2017.

The forum was opened by Georgi Minchev, Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who welcomed the audience and introduced the official guests of the event.

Alexander Manolev, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria, in his salutatory declared that the potential of the Russian-Bulgarian trading relations was very high, and any initiatives to increase goods turnover of both countries would be supported by the Bulgarian government.

According to Anatoly Makarov, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, goods turnover of the two countries has positive dynamics. As compared to the previous period, it grew by almost 35%.

Vladimir Padalko, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, welcomed the forum participants on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. He emphasized that Russian business had an interest in Bulgaria and holding of industry-specific business forums would be the next step in the development of bilateral relations.

Tsvetan Simeonov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also addressed to the forum participants with words of welcome.

The IBEC delegation took part in the Forum.

As the only development bank, which took part in the Forum, the IBEC in its presentation told about the Bank’s opportunities opened up in connection with the implementation of the new business strategy adopted by the Bank’s member countries, about success achieved by the Bank, including in Bulgarian vector, and offered to companies of the two countries assistance in the implementation of their common projects, support of foreign trade transactions, settlements and financing of activities of the Bulgarian and Russian enterprises, joint ventures of the two countries and other IBEC’s member countries. The IBEC’s presentation was highly appreciated by the participants and found a broad response. Besides that, presentations of a number of Russian companies interested in business cooperation with the Bulgarian partners, including in the innovation sector, presentation of opportunities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, the Bulgarian Investment Agency, etc. took place at the Forum.

As a part of the Forum, the IBEC and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) signed the Memorandum devoted to the issues of cooperation and development of relations. The IBEC received an invitation of the BCCI to take part in work of the Investment Council of the BCCI.

The Bulgarian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation expressed readiness to provide all-round support to the IBEC.

The IBEC’s representatives at the Forum held a wide range of meetings with the Bulgarian and Russian companies. Interest of the Bulgarian business in the IBEC’s products and services, both loan and settlement ones, was considerably high. Following the negotiations, the IBEC has received specific projects for consideration. The signing of a total of 9 agreements on cooperation and organization of joint productions took place at the Forum.

20 October 2017.