site.btaBulgarian Innovation Minister, Croatian Ministers of Economy, Science Discuss Cooperation in Innovation, Investment

Bulgaria’s Innovation and Growth Minister Milena Stoycheva has held working meetings with Croatia’s Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Damir Habijan and Science and Education Minister Prof. Radovan Fuchs, Stoycheva's Ministry reported Wednesday.

The purpose of the meetings was to strengthen bilateral cooperation in innovation, investment in the high-tech sector, and the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The ministers discussed the possible signing of a memorandum of cooperation in innovation, technology, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"The Innovation and Growth Ministry is working towards turning our country into an innovation hub in Southeast Europe, towards Bulgaria becoming an innovation centre. This can be done through sustainable partnerships with Southeast European countries aimed at attracting and developing talent, strengthening cooperation in areas such as new technologies, digitalization, entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem," Stoycheva said at the meeting with Habijan. She noted that her Ministry will initiate a joint technology transfer fund between the European Investment Fund (EIB), Bulgaria and Romania, modelled on a fund between the EIB, Croatia and Slovenia supporting innovative projects.

Earlier in the day, Stoycheva and Fuchs discussed opportunities for promoting scientific research and development applicable to companies, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strengthening the science-business link. 

The Croatian Science and Education Ministry invited Bulgaria to join the DONES project which is related to innovative methods and research in the field of energy.