Tsvetan Simeonov held a working meeting with H.E. Ivaylo Kirov, the newly appointed Ambassador of Bulgaria to Albania. In the course of discussion, BCCI’s relations with partners from Albania – the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania and Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry were discussed.
Ambassador Kirov outlined the goals of his mission, including the expansion of the bilateral economic relations between Bulgaria and Albania. Tsvetan Simeonov encouraged him to make direct contact with BCCI’s partner organizations in Albania and outlined the active cooperation that exists within the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) and EUROCHAMBRES.
In the period 2011 - 2021, bilateral trade constantly increased, reaching EUR 156.2 million in 2021. The trade balance is positive for Bulgaria. In the first six months of last year, a growth of 30% in trade was registered. The increase in exports and imports was 30.6% and 28.5%, respectively.
According to information from the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the leading goods in exports from Bulgaria to Albania in 2021 include: bakery products, spare parts, textiles, medicines, live animals, glass and glass products, chemicals, sunflower oil, etc.
Among the leading goods imported from Albania are: copper ores and concentrates, copper waste, LPG, textiles, clothing, vegetables, furniture, etc.
Some problems in bilateral trade were also mentioned during the meeting. Among them are the lack of a good transport infrastructure to support imports and exports, the many requirements imposed by the Single European Market, as well as the orientation of business towards other markets.
Simeonov discussed with Ambassador Kirov the readiness of BCCI to provide assistance to its Albanian partners on the path to EU membership.