site.btaBulgarian-Japanese Trade Reaches Highest Level Since 2008

Sofia, January 2 (BTA) - The trade between Bulgaria and Japan amounts to 151 million US dollars, which is its highest level since 2008, it transpired at a meeting between Deputy Economy Minister Alexander Manolev and Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria Masato Watanabe, the Economy Ministry reported Tuesday.

There are opportunities for entry on the Japanese market of a series of Bulgarian products, such as wines, dairy products, rose oil, and fish products, Manolev said. "Our wish is to encourage Bulgarian-Japanese trade and economic exchange through more meetings at governmental level and contacts between the two countries' business communities," he noted.

The last years have seen an upward trend in Japanese investments in Bulgaria and this fact should be used so that other Japanese companies are invited to come to Bulgaria, the Japanese Ambassador said. He and Manolev agreed that coordinated actions should be undertaken to promote business contacts between Bulgarian and Japanese companies and SMEs.

The Deputy Economy Minister emphasized the importance of the concluded negotiations on the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to have an effect on the trade relations between the EU Member States and the Asian country.