site.btaCroatian Business Shows Interest in Bulgarian Infrastructure Projects, E-healthcare

Croatian Business Shows Interest in Bulgarian Infrastructure Projects, E-healthcare

Zagreb, April 15 (BTA) - The design and construction of
motorways, railways and energy infrastructure, the food
industry, electronic healthcare and tourism are among the
sectors in which the Croatian business is most interest in
investing and partnering with Bulgarian companies, it emerged
during the Croatian-Bulgarian business forum, which was opened
by President Rosen Plevneliev and Croatia's President Kolinda
Grabar-Kitarovic, held on the second day of Plevneliev official
visit to the EU's newest Member, the President' Press
Secretariat said Wednesday.

Plevneliev invited Croatian companies to participate in all
procedures and tenders for infrastructure projects, which are
about to start in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian head of State noted
that only together can countries from the region attract
investors, which is why the path to success in the Balkans calls
 for integration and connectivity.

President Plevneliev presented investment opportunities in
Bulgaria to Croatian business representatives on Wednesday at
the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. He called on Bulgaria and
Croatia to join efforts in developing sectors, such as
information and communication technologies, and for Croatian
companies to take advantage of the opportunities offered by
Bulgarian technology parks and industrial zones. The IT sector
is one of the most dynamically developing in Bulgaria and a
growing number of world famous companies are choosing Bulgaria
as their location to open logistical and research and
development centres, Plevneliev underscored.

He also noted that a number of Bulgarian companies are already
successfully working in Croatia in sectors such as
telecommunications, cosmetics, automotive components supply,
electronics and household appliances. Trade turnover between the
 two countries has marked a 50 per cent increase in the past
year alone, he said, urging companies from both countries to
start establishing new partnerships.

Improving regional transport and energy connectivity, and the
Balkans's strategic location between Europe and Asia, also
create conditions for more active cooperation between companies
from the region, Plevneliev said. The Bulgarian head of State
noted that gas interconnectors between countries from
Southeastern Europe will be constructed with EU financing, along
 with modernizing the railway and transport infrastructure which
 links the region with Asia. "Only with joint efforts can we
reach the levels of development of our partners from the EU,"
said Plevneliev.

Croatian President Grabar-Kitarovic noted that companies from
both countries must be better informed about the investment
opportunities Bulgaria and Croatia offer. According to her,
energy diversification and security are exceptionally important
for businesses in the region, which is why Croatia is working on
 a project for constructing a gas terminal on the island of Krk.
 

Later in the day, President Plevneliev conferred with
representatives of the Bulgarian community in Zagreb.