site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov Meets with Visiting Israeli Innovation Minister Gamliel

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov held Sunday a meeting with Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology of Israel, during which the opportunities for deepening the economic partnership between the two countries were discussed. 

"Israel is an important economic partner for Bulgaria. The exchange of goods and investments between us has been developing dynamically in recent years. There is serious untapped potential for expanding trade. Bulgaria is interested in deepening exchanges in the sphere of high technologies and innovative industries, including in the defence sector," Zafirov said.

According to him, Bulgaria and Israel should work to give more substance to the traditional cooperation between the two countries. He pointed out that an important step in this direction would be assembling a joint commission for economic cooperation with Israel, accompanied by a bilateral business forum.

Minister Gamliel stressed the opportunities for student exchanges, support in the fields of cyber security, research and space technology.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria will host one of the six new EU artificial intelligence factories thanks to the joint work between Sofia Tech Park and the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT).

Zafirov briefed the minister on the concept for the development of a Defence Innovation Centre, which will be constructed as soon as possible. He stressed that the Centre's main objective is to carry out research and development as well as testing and certification of unmanned aerial vehicles.