site.btaPresident Plevneliev Receives Key to Lisbon, Meets Business Representatives

President Plevneliev Receives Key to Lisbon, Meets Business Representatives

Lisbon, November 3 (BTA) - Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina on
Tuesday presented President Rosen Plevneliev with a key to the
city during a formal ceremony, the President's Press Secretariat
 said. The ceremony took place within the framework of
Plevneliev's official visit to Portugal.

Plevneliev said that the key symbolizes doors which should
always stay open and vowed to bring closer the peoples of
Portugal and Bulgaria. The head of State said that Lisbon is a
city of unique cultural heritage, where the past and the future
walk hand in hand. The President said that Sofia and Lisbon are
very similar in terms of their rich history and various cultural
 influences that left marks in both cities.

According to the President, the two capitals may cooperate in
areas such as innovations, IT and biomedical research. "The
future belongs to the educated young people and the scientists
who can change the world for the better," said the head of
State. Plevneliev underscored that the first innovation
ecosystem in Southeastern Europe will open in Bulgaria and that
Sofia ranks third after London and Dublin as the most attractive
 destination for startup businesses.

Earlier in the day, Plevneliev conferred with Parliament
President Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues. Rodrigues said that recently
cooperation between the two countries has been deepening,
attested by the high-level political meetings. He stated
Portugal's support for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and
noted the good partnership between the two countries in the EU,
NATO and the Council of Europe.

In Lisbon Plevneliev met with Portuguese businessmen. The head
of State presented Bulgaria's investment potential before nearly
 50 representatives of different industries. The companies
expressed an interest in opportunities for cooperation in
agriculture and foods production as well as developing IT and
communication technologies.

Plevneliev voiced a hope that Portuguese companies will look at
Southeastern Europe as a natural partner in the implementation
of global projects as the region has a vast economic potential.

Plevneliev added that Bulgarian businesses may tap the
experience of Portuguese firms in Latin America, Africa and
Asia. The President noted that Bulgaria is a regional leader in
IT and communication technologies and has skilled specialists in
 the sector with good traditions and dynamic development.
Bulgaria has been recognized as the Best Offshoring Destination
of 2015, added the President. He noted successful ventures for
automotive parts in Bulgaria and possibilities for cooperation
between Bulgaria and Portugal in the field of tourism.

The head of State outlined the reforms launched by the country
in key sectors.
Portugal has shown that the implementation of far-reaching
reforms pays off as they boost trust in the country on the
international markets, increase commercial exchange and reduce
unemployment, he added.

During the meeting a Memorandum for Cooperation in Tourism
Education was signed between the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry and
the Portuguese Economy Ministry. The countries will exchange
information and experience in the area of tourism school
educational programs, will hold joint training and exchange
expertise.