site.btaBulgaria and Argentina Discuss Trade and Investment Relations

Bulgaria and Argentina Discuss Trade and Investment Relations

Buenos Aires/Sofia, February 5 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski met with Argentina's Domestic Trade Secretary Miguel Braun in Buenos Aires to discuss ways to promote bilateral relations in the field of trade and investment and map out concrete measures, the Economy Ministry in Sofia reported on Friday. Loukarski is on an official Bulgarian delegation led by President Rosen Plevneliev.

Discussing the need to boost bilateral trade, Loukarski said the two countries have agreed that their Joint Economic Commission (JEC) will hold its fifth session by the end of this year. The arrangement has been confirmed by Argentine President Mauricio Macri, he said. Loukarski and Braun considered the possibility of organizing a business forum to concur with the planned JEC session in order to help Bulgarian and Argentine businesses establish direct contacts and partnerships.

Braun noted that the JEC is a good format for deepening bilateral contacts. He and his guest discussed setting up working groups on trade, transport, energy, agriculture, science and education to function under the JEC. A possible future subgroup in charge of the pharmaceutical industry could engage experts to draw up specific measures in support of the companies in this sector, in which Bulgaria holds strong positions, Loukarski said.

The meeting also looked at the progress in the negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, the largest economic community in Latin America. Loukarski said Bulgaria supports Argentina in this process, and the question of its advancement could be raised with the EU Council in late March.