site.btaBulgarian Authorities Deny Export Authorization for Ammunition Identified in Sudan

The Bulgarian Interministerial Commission for Export Control and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction has not issued an export license for Bulgarian-made ammunition produced by the Ruse-based company Dunarit to Sudan, the Economy and Industry Ministry told BTA on Thursday. The statement was issued following a report by French news outlet France 24, which claimed that Bulgarian ammunition had been identified in Sudan despite an active EU arms embargo on the country.

In response, Dunarit issued a statement asserting that the company had fully cooperated with the French journalists, providing all relevant information in its possession. The company claims it supplied documentation clearly tracing the ammunition’s route from Dunarit as manufacturer to the government of the United Arab Emirates as the end user.

According to the Economy Ministry, a review confirmed that the export license was granted for a government agency in a country not subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions. The Bulgarian export control authority was duly notified of the shipment, and original end-user certificates were submitted confirming receipt by the declared end user.

The Ministry added that Bulgaria's security services conduct due diligence to ensure the reliability of foreign trade deals involving defence-related products.

As a traditional producer of arms and ammunition, Bulgaria exports to various international markets. To safeguard national security, economic and foreign policy interests, and to contribute to global peace, Bulgaria strictly adheres to international export control obligations, including those stemming from its treaty commitments and membership in international organizations, the Ministry emphasized.