site.btaEconomy Ministers of Bulgaria, Kosovo Discuss Opportunities for Economic Cooperation Enhancement

Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Petko Nikolov and Kosovo’s Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli here on Monday discussed opportunities for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries, the Bulgarian Ministry’s press centre said. Nikolov and Rizvanolli conferred on the sidelines of the Vienna Economic Forum - Sofia Meeting 2024. During their meeting, the ministers discussed the possibility of concluding an Economic Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Nikolov and Rizvanolli highlighted the potential for the development of trade and economic relations, focusing on the cooperation between companies in the information and communication technologies sector.

The sides agreed that intensifying the work of the Kosovo-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, which was established at the end of 2023, would be a good step for the development of business relations between the two countries.

Rizvanolli thanked Bulgaria for its support in the process of Kosovo's European integration.

The Economy Ministers agreed to prioritize the strengthening of bilateral trade, especially the import of goods from Bulgaria, including of food and agricultural products, industrial goods, etc.

Trade relations with Kosovo have been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with bilateral trade amounting to EUR 168.7 million in 2023, up by 32.9% compared to 2022. Bulgarian exports to Kosovo increased by 6.6% to EUR 119.2 million, while imports amounted to EUR 49.5 million.