The Japan-Bulgaria Business Forum, organized jointly by the JETRO office in Bucharest and InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA), was held today. During her presentation, the Executive Director of IBA, Mrs. Mila Nenova, emphasized that Bulgaria is establishing itself as a technological hub, attracting investors with innovations and strategic opportunities and investment security. More and more often, in addition to nearshoring, there is also talk of friendshoring, i.e. directing investments to countries that have security and predictability, and an EU member state is such a place. According to her, our country remains competitive compared to the other members of the European Union, offering a balanced combination of economic factors, qualified workforce and strategic geographical location.
Ms. Nenova emphasized the fact that Bulgaria is a developing technology hub with a favorable business environment, attracting investors not only with financial relief, but also with innovative sectors such as information technology, automotive and electronics. “Our country is developing as a center of innovation, which is a key factor for any investor looking for sustainable growth,” she said.
She also pointed out the importance of cooperation with Japanese companies and presented successful examples of already existing Japanese investments in Bulgaria. Mrs. Nenova expressed confidence that Bulgaria will continue to be an attractive partner for Japan in the region of Southeast Europe, especially in the context of technological development and green innovation.
The Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria Hisashi Michigami also drew attention to the good political exchange between Bulgaria and Japan over the past three months, including official visits of two Bulgarian ministers to Tokyo in September – of energy and tourism, as well as the visit of the Speaker of the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament Fukushiro Nukaga. That is why he defined as very appropriate the time to organize today’s business forum.
The forum was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Krasimir Yakimov, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry David Sukalinski, the Deputy Mayor of Sofia Ivan Vassilev, Susumu Kataoka, the President of the Japan Foreign Trade Organization (JETRO), the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria Hisashi Michigami, a number of representatives of the Bulgarian business community and about 100 representatives of various Japanese companies. All of them shared the opinion that the forum represents an important stage in the development of bilateral economic relations.


