site.btaDeputy PM Gabriel Meets with Utah Business Delegation

Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel met with a Utah business delegation in Los Angeles, the Foreign Ministry said. The delegation was led by World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Jonathan Freedman. The meeting was attended by Bulgarian IT industry representatives from the Silicon Valley.

Utah is among the top states for IT employment and leads the rankings for fastest-growing regions in terms of new tech industry jobs. There are more than 9,300 technology businesses in the state. The Lehi area was dubbed the "Silicon Slopes" due to Utah's remarkable advancements in innovation and the IT industry. In recent years, Utah has been in competition with Hollywood for the No. 1 position in America's film industry.

The US is among the top destinations for Bulgarian high-tech products with about 10% of total sales on foreign markets. "The promotion of trade and economic cooperation is central to Bulgaria-US cooperation. Bulgaria is a reliable partner, a factor of stability in Southeastern Europe and a regional innovation hub," Gabriel said.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Bulgaria has a dynamic technological ecosystem. "The Bulgarian market is an attractive investment destination for US companies. It offers a stable macroeconomic environment, a strategic location and highly qualified specialists. As strategic partners, the two countries continue to expand their cooperation in areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, information technology and innovation," Gabriel said.

The meeting in Los Angeles is expected to be followed by a visit of an American business delegation to Bulgaria at Gabriel's invitation.