Bulgarian-Japanese Business Relations Development Discussed at Working Breakfast in Sofia

Risida Dimitrova

Bulgarian-Jananese business breakfast, from left: Culture Minister Miroslav Borshosh, Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev, Japanese Ambassador Hisashi Michigami, President Rumen Radev, Japan-Bulgaria Business Association head Todor Kesimov, Economy Minister Petar Dilov, BSMEPA leader Boyko Takov, Sofia, March 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

24.03.2025 16:49

(BTA)

The Japan-Bulgaria Business Association held a business breakfast at the Hilton Hotel in Sofia on Monday focused on the activities of the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association, the development of the Bulgarian-Japanese business relations, as well as up-to-date information on Bulgaria's preparation for World Expo 2025 in Osaka. The event was held in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency.

President Rumen Radev said at the business breakfast that Bulgaria could be a true strategic partner of Japan for the region of Eastern and Central Europe not only with its strategic geographical position, but also with its quality human capital, stability, socio-economic environment and the conditions for investment and doing business in Bulgaria.

"Japan is our strategic partner for the East Asia region. Not only in terms of the volume of trade, but also as a prospect for the development of our cooperation. Especially because of the fact that we are already benefiting from investments in the field of high technology and in the field of high added value economy. This is what Bulgaria is interested in," Radev noted.

“Japanese business is making a return to Bulgaria, which suggests that the cooperation between the two countries may enter a new phase. To this end, Bulgaria needs to reposition itself - not only as a country of yoghurt and rose oil, but also as a good environment for doing business,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev at the business breakfast organized by the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association.

Donchev expressed confidence that the development of the relationship between the two countries is a natural process that "will move at a different pace in the future".

Bulgaria views Japan as a strategic partner in Asia, said Minister of Economy and Industry Petar Dilov at the business breakfast.

"We attach great importance to the development of bilateral relations and strive to further expand our trade and investment ties, including in the context of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Japan," said Dilov. He added that a large business delegation of Japanese companies, led by the Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, is expected in June.

Minister Dilov noted that Bulgaria has something to offer Japanese companies, and he pointed out the favourable opportunities for activities in the following areas: information and communication technologies, electronics and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, high-tech production and services, agriculture and food industry, transport and logistics infrastructure.

The return of Japanese business to Bulgaria and the positive relations between the two countries could lead to a new golden age in exchanges between Japan and Bulgaria, with the upcoming EXPO 2025 in Osaka as a starting point, Japanese Ambassador Hisashi Michigami said.

Michigami briefly presented business projects in which the two countries are cooperating, including the construction of the subway in Sofia, the port expansion in Burgas, energy projects, schools and others.

Japanese business is back, including its big representatives, he said, thanking the Bulgarian authorities for their support. In his words, a "very important, fundamental document for our strategic partnership" will be signed during the visit of head of State Rumen Radev to Japan in May.

"My hope, my wish is that this whole positive trend can lead to another golden century between the two countries," Michigami added.

/NF/