The potential for the development of business cooperation between Bulgaria and Türkiye was presented during a seminar at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On April 21, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted the hybrid seminar “Business Cooperation between Bulgaria and Türkiye – Opportunities, Outlooks and Success Stories,” which was organized jointly with the Association of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres). More than 70 participants from the business sector, public administration, diplomatic corps, and academia took part in the event. It was held within the “Türkiye–EU Business Dialogue” Programme (TEBD II), which aims to strengthen cooperation between the business communities of the EU and Türkiye.

The President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, opened the event by highlighting the importance of Bulgarian–Turkish economic relations and the significant potential to further expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technologies, artificial intelligence, energy, the green transition, and innovation. He noted that, given their strategic geographic location and increasingly close cooperation, Bulgaria and Türkiye are well positioned to play a leading role in strengthening connectivity between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Mehmet Uyanık, stated that Türkiye is one of Bulgaria’s largest trading partners outside the EU and expressed his expectation that the bilateral trade will continue to grow. Ambassador Uyanık emphasized that more than 70 major Turkish companies operate in Bulgaria, having invested €3 million and created 15,000 jobs. He also noted that Turkish firms are involved in major infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of the Sofia metro, as well as in the field of energy efficiency, thereby contributing to Bulgaria’s green transition. The Ambassador further pointed out that Bulgaria continues to attract Turkish investment due to its geographical proximity, its accession to the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, as well as its relatively low tax rates.

The Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Anton Kostadinov, noted that Türkiye is a long-standing, reliable, and strategic partner, with bilateral relations based on mutual trust. In 2025, bilateral trade amounted to €9 billion, representing an 18% increase compared to the previous year. Kostadinov pointed out that Türkiye is among the leading destinations for Bulgarian exports and holds a significant share in the country’s overall trade structure. He cited data from the Bulgarian National Bank, according to which Turkish foreign direct investment reached €1.5 billion by the end of 2025. It was also noted that Turkish companies are active in a number of key sectors, including industry, infrastructure, construction, automotive manufacturing, textiles, and the food processing industry.

Mrs. Pınar Erdil, a representative of Eurochambres, Director of the TEBD II Programme, provided further details about the initiative. Within the second edition of TEBD II (2024–2027), various activities will be implemented, including individual projects between European and Turkish chambers of commerce and industry, study visits, business forums, and seminars involving business communities from both the EU and Türkiye.

Burhan Nemutlu, President of the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that Bulgaria and Türkiye are not only neighbors but also natural economic partners, connected by geography, history, and deepening trade relations. In recent years, there has been steady growth in the bilateral trade, increased investment interest, and a more active dialogue between the business communities of both countries. Nemutlu pointed out that more than 2,500 Turkish companies and 1,500 commercial representative offices operate in Bulgaria. In some regions of the country, Turkish investments are a key driver of the local economy and a leading employer.

The full video recording of the event is available at the following link.

For additional information, please contact the BCCI, Directorate “European Integration and European Projects,” Tel.: +359 2 8117 553, Email: projects3@bcci.bg.

More details about the TEBD II Programme can be found on the official website at http://www.tebd.eu/, as well as on its social media profiles on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/tebd-ii/) and X (https://x.com/TEBD_Project).