During an event organized by the French-Bulgarian Chamber (CCI France Bulgarie) and Confindustria Bulgaria Italian chamber, caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov said that direct investments by French and Italian companies in Bulgaria by the end of 2021 amounted to nearly EUR 4 billion. Stoyanov considers this a clear sign of the importance of the two countries as economic partners of Bulgaria.
He also emphasized on the fact that in the first ten months of 2022, Bulgarian total exports to Italy and France amounted to EUR 4.4 billion. The exports to Italy rose almost 50% and those to France almost 30%, which is indicative of the good pace at which trade relations are developing. According to him, these figures are due to the hard work and activity of many companies, chambers of commerce and embassies of the two countries.
The Economy Minister underlined the good results achieved by Italian and French companies in Bulgaria. "We are still awaiting the final data for 2022, but based on the quarterly results, I can say in advance that despite the crises, we will report a very successful year in terms of trade and economic cooperation between us," Stoyanov added.
Among the participants in the event were caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth Alexander Pulev, the Ambassadors of France and Italy to Bulgaria, Joel Meyer and Giuseppina Zarra, CCI Board President Stephane Delahaye and Confindustria Bulgaria head Roberto Santorelli.