site.btaDelegation of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Visits Bulgaria

Delegation of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Visits Bulgaria

Sofia, April 21 (BTA) - Agriculture and Food Minister Hristo Bozoukov and Quan Zhezhu, First Vice President of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Thursday discussed cooperation in agriculture.

Bozoukov said his Ministry and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency had a good cooperation with China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in finalizing all open procedures for import of Bulgarian food and agricultural products in China. He expressed a hope that the compliance procedures concerning Bulgarian imports in China would be completed soon.

Besides developing two-way trade, Bulgaria is interested in attracting Chinese investments and promotes all initiatives and joint projects, said Bozoukov.

Later on Thursday, Deputy Agriculture Minister Lyubomir Ganchev met with the representatives of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Attending were Quan Zhezhu, Li Zhantong, President of the Urban Infrastructure Chamber of Commerce, and Wang Junhao, President of the China Agriculture Industry Chamber of Commerce.

The sides discussed ways to attract Chinese investments in sectors in which Bulgaria has traditional advantages, including mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electronic and electrical engineering, ICT, the food industry and tourism.

Ganchev noted that Bulgaria was seeking to carve out a broader niche for its products well-known in the Asian markets, such as agricultural products, food, wine and mineral water, essential oils and cosmetics, and products of mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical engineering. Bulgarian businesses show a steady interest and seek opportunities for export to China, he said.

The deputy minister expressed support for the "16+1" mechanism created by China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries, which promotes investments and trade and economic contacts. Ganchev set forth the possibilities for participation of Chinese hi-tech companies in Sofia Tech Park, the first one of its kind in Bulgaria.

Quan said China had a good economic partnership and excellent political relations with Bulgaria. He suggested that the active political dialogue could materialize in specific projects and initiatives.