site.btaHonorary Consulate of Kazakhstan Opens in Blagoevgrad

The Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Bulgaria was opened during an official ceremony here on Friday. The Honorary Consular Official Rashko Dinkov, who was appointed by the Council of Ministers in late February, told BTA that Kazakhstan is a huge country with a lot of potential and expressed hope that the good relations between the two countries will be further developed.

He shared that he was impressed with the way the Embassy of Kazakhstan here takes care of the students they have in Bulgaria. The Consular added that one of the reasons for opening the Consulate is the American University in Bulgaria, which is based in Blagoevgrad and attended by students from Kazakhstan.

Dinkov pointed out that in the context of globalization the two countries can be useful to each other economically. The standard of living in Kazakhstan is similar to Bulgaria's, which makes it a good market for Bulgaria's producers. Referring to the distance between the two countries, the Consular said that work is underway to open a direct air route, which would make business contacts and travel more frequent and thus would make ideas easier to implement. Dinkov said that Bulgarian investors have interest in the region, as it is rich in natural resources and is developing in the renewable energy sector.

Prior to the official ceremony, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria Viktor Temirbayev presented the opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries. The Ambassador noted that Bulgaria is an important and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in this part of Europe and within the European Union. The Ambassador said that there is a huge potential for cooperation in the areas of transport, logistics, tourism, energy and agriculture. Temirbayev also presented data related to economic development and foreign investment in Kazakhstan.

The Honorary Consulate was officially opened by Temirbayev, Dinkov and Blagoevgrad Regional Governor Georgi Dinev. Dinev said that he believes the Consulate will play a key role in the development of cultural, trade and investment ties between the two countries, while also being a bridge for the exchange of knowledge, experience and traditions.