site.btaRegional Development Minister: Bulgaria and China Have Potential to Implement Joint Projects

Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov Wednesday was a guest at the opening of a conference on regional cooperation between China and Bulgaria on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. In his address, he said, as quoted by his Ministry, that Bulgaria is increasingly focusing on the future of public-private partnerships, which have proven their effectiveness for regional and infrastructure development on a global scale. "In addition to road infrastructure construction, we also have opportunities for partnerships in the water supply and sanitation sector, urban development, and planning," he added. 

According to Minister Ivanov, public-private partnerships can be a good alternative for attracting experts, financing, know-how, and improving efficiency. "We are open to active dialogue to find the most appropriate business model for cooperation with China and the other countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. We could use the best European and global models without repeating the mistakes of others. That is why I believe that forums such as this one are extremely timely and useful," said the Regional Development Minister. In his words, the Initiative opens up a wide range of interconnections that aim not only to improve infrastructure connectivity between the participating countries, but also to promote the economic development of these countries.

Ivanov went on to say that Bulgaria has been part of the Belt and Road Initiative for 10 years now, but there is still room for expansion of this cooperation and the search for new opportunities and prospects. Bulgaria is in the heart of the Balkans, and Balkan countries need good roads and highways to connect them so that business, trade, and investment can develop, and all people in the region can benefit from good transport links, he argued. "I am confident that the good political dialogue between Bulgaria and China can be reflected in the implementation of joint projects based on the principle of public-private partnership," Ivanov added. He noted that as part of the EU, Bulgaria cannot offer state guarantees to Chinese companies, but there are opportunities for accelerated and transparent procedures and full institutional support in the implementation of joint initiatives.

The forum in Sofia was organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC),  the One Belt, One Road Bulgarian National Association, and the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria. CPAFFC President Yang Wanming opened the event. Among the participants were mayors of Bulgarian municipalities, mayors and deputy mayors of the Chinese cities of Yangzhou, Xinyu, Ganzhou, and others, as well as the deputy governor of the province of Jiangxi.