site.btaBulgaria, Azerbaijan to Expand Economic Cooperation

Bulgaria, Azerbaijan to Expand Economic Cooperation


Baku/Sofia, February 10 (BTA) - Economy Minister Bozhidar
Loukarski conferred here with Azerbaijani Minister of Economic
Development Shahin Mustafayev as part of his working visit to
Azerbaijan. The two agreed to enhance economic cooperation and
investment activities between the two countries. The meeting was
 also attended by the President of the Azerbaijan Export and
Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), Rufat Mammadov, the
Economy Ministry said in a Tuesday press release.

Loukarski and Moustafayev agreed that bilateral relations are
very good, however there is more to be done for expanding
economic cooperation. Mustafayev noted that relations in the
energy sector are well developed, however, there is a series of
other sectors with opportunities for cooperation, such as
agriculture, the food industry, petrochemistry, pharmaceuticals,
 among others. 

According to Loukarski, confirming the Bulgarian Government's
commitment to the partnership with Azerbaijan was among the main
 goals behind his visit, the press release said.

Mustafayev noted the perspectives of cooperation in the
processing industry, tourism, the development of information
technologies. Loukarski underscored the importance of visits,
business forums and active discussions during this year. He
invited his Azerbaijani counterpart to visit Bulgaria along with
 a business delegation. The two also agreed for the visit to
take place sometime in June or July.

According to Loukarski, renewing the work of the
Bulgarian-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission for Economic
Cooperation is of huge significance. The Commission's last
meeting was held in 2008. Loukarski also said that his Ministry
will submit to the Council of Ministers a draft decree for
appointing the Economy Minister as the Commission's head on the
Bulgarian side. Until now the Commission was headed by the
Minister of Transport, Information Technology and
Communications, the press release said.