Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov held a meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Chikahisa Sumi. In the context of the active bilateral dialogue and the subsequent visit of a Japanese delegation to Bulgaria at the end of last year, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, it was emphasised that Japan is an important strategic and economic partner for Bulgaria. Emphasis was placed on promoting investment, industrial cooperation, and the exchange of good practices in the field of innovation and technology.
“The excellent partnership between the state-owned enterprise LB Bulgaricum, under the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and the Japanese company Meiji is a clear example of the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations,” stated Deputy Minister Barbalov.
The two also noted the positive dynamics in the expansion of bilateral trade, which reached 216.5 million US dollars in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of nearly 10% compared to the same period in 2024.
H.E. Mr. Chikahisa Sumi highlighted the growing interest of young people in Bulgaria towards Japan and Japanese culture, as well as the increased attention paid to the IT sector as a promising area for cooperation.
The meeting confirmed the mutual desire for the further development of economic relations between Bulgaria and Japan and for the realisation of new joint projects with long-term impact.