site.btaLB Bulgaricum CEO Zhivkov: Contract with Meiji for Joint Research Lab Is Bridge Between Tradition and Future

The Executive Director of Bulgaria's State-owned dairy company LB Bulgaricum EAD, Zhivko Zhivkov, described Thursday's contract to establish a world-class joint research laboratory in Sofia between LB Bulgaricum and Japan's Meiji as a big success for Bulgaria. In an interview for BTA's Ekaterina Toteva, he said the agreement confirms the traditionally very good interaction between the two companies and builds a bridge between the tradition and the future, a bridge for the generations, because the new lab will bring positives both in science and in the creation of innovative, high quality products while preserving Bulgarian traditions.

The ten-year contract envisages the establishment of a new research centre, which will study and discover new strains associated with lactic acid bacteria. The lab in Sofia will be equipped jointly by the two sides, with the purchase of the equipment expected to start by the end of 2024. At least three scientists from each side will work there, Zhivkov explained. "The Japanese side has assured us that top researchers from Meiji will be present, who will partner with our employees: professors with proven names in science," he commented.

Meiji is the biggest Asian milk processing company.