The BCCI presented the business recommendations for Improving the cooperation with our trade representatives abroad
Representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) – the Vice President, Vasil Todorov, and the Director of International Cooperation, Gabriela Dimitrova, participated in a meeting at the Ministry of Economy and Industry together with the Bulgaria’s Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (TEAO).
The discussion, led by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov, addressed various topics with over 40 Bulgarian trade representatives stationed abroad. The focus was on enhancing the cooperation between the businesses and the Bulgarian Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (ТЕАО), to more effectively utilize the capacity of these offices abroad.
Doncho Barbalov emphasized that the real employer of Bulgaria’s trade attachés abroad is the Bulgarian business community.
Vasil Todorov presented the results of a survey assessing the opinions and evaluations of BCCI’s members regarding the activities of the Bulgaria’s Trade and Economic Affairs Offices abroad.
The aim was to gather proposals and recommendations from entrepreneurs to improve the work of the Bulgarian trade representatives abroad, enhance the capacity of specific offices or regions, and foster more successful and fruitful joint efforts aimed at promoting the country’s opportunities, expanding contacts, and unlocking the untapped potential of numerous near and distant destinations.
According to the survey, only about 31% of the Bulgarian business representatives have utilized Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (ТЕАО) services, with the most frequent usage in Romania, Germany, China, Vietnam, and Austria. Respondents expressed satisfaction with interactions in South Korea, Hungary, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Greece.
The feedback in the survey indicates that 71% of respondents believe new Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (ТЕАО) should be established in destinations such as Algeria, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Scandinavian countries, and Australia.
Companies most commonly use Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (ТЕАО) services for:
- Assistance in finding business partners – 58%
- Information and/or participation in fairs, forums, or other events – 58%
- Obtaining economic information about the country – 50%
- Organizing visits by Bulgarian delegations – 25%
- Assistance from local government institutions regarding trade procedures and regulations – 25%
- Resolving disputes over delayed or non-fulfillment of contracts – 17%.
The meeting also discussed practical aspects of the cooperation between Bulgaria’s Trade and Economic Affairs Offices abroad and the Bulgarian companies and business organizations.