site.btaBulgaria's Economy Minister Agrees Stepping Up Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Estonia, Vietnam

Bulgaria's Economy and Industry Minister Bogdan Bogdanov discussed ways to deepen cooperation in specific sectors and expand trade relations and investment with his counterparts from Estonia, Kazakhstan and Vietnam during the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, Bogdanov's Ministry said on Tuesday.

Bogdanov and Mariin Ratnik, Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs at Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the war in Ukraine, humanitarian supply problems and border delays. Also on the agenda was possible cooperation in the reconstruction of Ukrainian bridges, kindergartens and orphanages. Other topics discussed were digitalization, the implementation of Estonian models in the Bulgarian administration, and the fight against corruption.

Bogdanov discussed the timing of sessions of intergovernmental committees and business forums and new opportunities for Bulgarian business with Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, and Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien.

Agriculture and the automotive and mining industries were singled out as the main sectors for cooperation and expansion of economic ties with Kazakhstan. "We suggest that after holding a session of the joint committee in May, the two countries should come up with a protocol and a memorandum of cooperation in specific areas which would strengthen their relations," Bogdanov stressed at the meeting with Shakkaliyev, adding that Bulgaria could become a gateway to Europe for Asian countries. "The potential of our region is huge. At present we have infrastructure projects which will expand the capacity of Bulgarian ports and create regional connectivity that will open up new opportunities for cooperation," Bogdanov said.

Meeting with Nguyen, Bulgaria's Economy and Industry Minister talked about ways to expand friendship and cooperation, which could turn into an ongoing dialogue on trade and investment with Vietnam. Nguyen highlighted as important sectors agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, electronics and electrical engineering, digitalization and critical components for the automotive sector. The two ministers discussed drawing up a list of priority areas ahead of the upcoming session of the joint committee, as well as organizing events on its sidelines in Sofia.