site.btaSome 12,000 Turkish Companies Exported to Bulgaria in 2024, Turkish Exporters Assembly Head Says

Approximately 12,000 Turkish companies exported to Bulgaria in 2024, Turkish Exporters Assembly President Mustafa Gultepe said in Sofia on Tuesday. He was attending the first-ever event in Bulgaria organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) in collaboration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BULTISAD), with the support and coordination of the Turkish Embassy’s trade advisor in Sofia.

According to Gultepe, Turkish exports to Bulgaria have followed an upward trend over the past decade, but in some years, they fell short of expectations. Therefore, ensuring stability in bilateral trade should be a priority, he emphasized.

Gultepe noted that Bulgaria has always held an important position in global trade. He pointed out that Sofia's strategic location connects the Silk Road to Europe, the Danube Basin, and Black Sea ports, making it a crucial trade hub – a role it continues to play today.

Gultepe presented the Turkish Exporters Assembly, which brings together 61 exporters' associations across 27 sectors in Turkiye. TIM represents over 150,000 exporters. "We are preparing our exporters for the future by developing macro and sectoral strategies," he stressed.

The Turkish Exporters Assembly President highlighted that Bulgaria ranks 13th among Turkiye's export destinations. In 2024, Turkish exports to Bulgaria reached USD 5.2 billion, with 16 sectors successfully increasing their exports to the country.

Attending the forum, BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov said that for BCCI, an event of such magnitude is highly significant because Turkiye is among Bulgaria’s key trading partners. He also noted that Turkiye has a strong presence in the Bulgarian economy. According to Simeonov, there are currently 2,555 Turkish companies registered in BCCI’s voluntary register, either partially or fully funded by Turkish capital, along with over 1,700 Turkish trade representatives.

BULTISAD Management Board Chair Burhan Nemutlu emphasized that Turkiye is Bulgaria's second-largest importer. In 2024, Turkish exports grew by approximately 13.7%, while imports increased by around 13%. Bulgaria ranks second on Turkiye's export list among its neighbouring countries, accounting for around USD 5 billion in trade, according to him. The highest annual growth rate was recorded in Turkish exports to Bulgaria, which increased by approximately 22% in 2024.