BCCI Survey: Even more Bulgarian companies are looking for foreign partners for exports

BCCI conducted a survey of the intentions of companies to expand their operations abroad. The results show that the export of Bulgarian goods is the leading motive among BCCI’s members to expand their operations abroad – cited by 80% of the surveyed companies. Meanwhile, 34% of companies are looking for foreign partners to make a joint investment in Bulgaria. For a quarter of the companies the import of goods in Bulgaria is the reason for their interest in economic cooperation abroad. The number of Bulgarian companies planning to invest abroad is still small – only 12% intend to seek contacts for a future investment outside the country.

Germany, Russia, the USA, Italy and China are the countries in which most entrepreneurs are willing to establish economic cooperation and do business trips in 2017. Romania, Greece and Serbia are also among the preferred destinations for business visits, according to the results of the survey.

For yet another year, Germany is cited as the destination in which Bulgarian business has the largest interest to establish business contacts. Compared to previous surveys conducted by BCCI, a growing interest is observed towards the opportunities for cooperation with the USA, Russia, China and India and a drop in the intended business trips to Turkey.

Food production, machine building, construction, chemical industry and textile industry are the preferred sectors for the largest number of the surveyed companies to meet potential foreign partners.

The data from the survey will be used in preparation of BCCI’s programme for business delegations abroad and to organize business forums in Bulgaria with foreign partners. The Chamber will send the summarized results of the survey to the Presidency and the future Bulgarian government.