site.btaUPDATED Innovation Minister Stoycheva Visits California, Holds Series of Working Meetings

Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva discussed investment opportunities in Bulgaria and the development of technology and innovation with Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor of California Gavin Newsom, during a working visit to California, the Innovation Ministry said in a press release on Sunday. Myers heads California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.

The aim of Stoycheva's working visit is to expand the presence of Bulgarian companies in California, as well as attract investors to Bulgaria in priority sectors such as information and communication technologies, mechatronics and microelectronics, artificial intelligence, bioeconomy and biotechnology, space technologies, and circular economy.

"The development of cooperation between Bulgaria and the State of California in the field of high technologies and deep innovation is a continuation of our efforts to intensify the Strategic Dialogue between our country and the USA. Technology can be a bridge between Bulgaria and California and support our economic growth," Minister Stoycheva said at her meeting with Myers.

Stoycheva and Newsom's Senior Advisor agreed to work on signing a memorandum of cooperation to boost economic relations and expand opportunities for Bulgarian companies to enter new markets.

Minister Stoycheva also held a working meeting with Meta representatives at the company's headquarters in California. Together with Andy O'Connell, Head of Product Policy and Strategy at the company, she discussed development of Artificial Intelligence, opportunities for the development of new personalized learning methods, including problem solving, telemedicine and the company's vision for the future of Artificial Intelligence.

Meeting with Hod Finkelstein, Head of Cameras and Depth, Reality Labs, Meta at the company, the Bulgarian Innovation Minister discussed opportunities for partnerships between Bulgarian universities and Meta to train and realize talent to contribute to the Bulgarian ecosystem.

During her visit to California, Stoycheva conferred also with Paso Robles Mayor John Harmon, Santa Paula Mayor Leslie Cornejo, representatives of local authorities in Fresno, and California Polytechnic State University President Jeffrey Armstrong.