Important opportunities in key sectors of the Greek economy were highlighted by the business mission to Bulgaria, organised by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Enterprise Greece, SEV, and SEVE in cooperation with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Office of the Hellenic Embassy in Sofia, during the three days of 2-4 October. 

15 Greek companies from the food/drink, energy, construction/building materials, real estate/tourism, and technology sectors participated in a business forum on October 3. In the framework of the Forum, almost 150 meetings of Greek companies with their Bulgarian counterparts took place. 

€4 BILLION TURNOVER

Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, among other things, that "Bulgaria has emerged in recent years as an important strategic and economic partner of Greece. The geographical proximity, the common European framework, but also the historical ties of friendship, provide us with the ideal background for the deepening of our cooperation. Greek businesses operating in Bulgaria are a shining example of this cooperation, with an annual turnover of €4 billion. Greek entrepreneurs have found in Bulgaria a favourable environment for growth, exploiting the opportunities offered by the Bulgarian market. The energy, construction, logistics, technology and services sectors are at the heart of this business cooperation, creating significant investment opportunities.  

IMPORTANT PARTNER 

Betty Alexandropoulou, Member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Greece, said that "Bulgaria is Greece's most important economic and trade partner in Southeast Europe and one of our leading partners worldwide. Our geographical proximity, the extensive presence of Greek businesses in Bulgaria, the growing tourist exchanges, and the reputation of Greek products have played an important role in strengthening our economic and commercial ties."

OPPORTUNITIES

Vicky Makriyannis, Director of International Relations and Regional Development at SEV, noted that "despite the presence of a large number of Greek companies and enhanced bilateral trade, opportunities continue to exist in the branded and quality products of the food and beverage sector, pharmaceuticals-cosmetics and medical equipment, machinery and components (mechanical and electronic-electrical equipment), chemicals, construction and building materials, and environmental technologies. The cultural and geographical proximity (low transport costs), the good reputation that Greek products have acquired in the country in recent years, as well as the growing purchasing power of Bulgarian consumers, make Bulgaria a promising market for Greek exporters." 

DOUBLING BILATERAL TRADE 

Finally, Panagiotis Hasapis, Executive Vice President of SEVE—Exporters' Association, said that "the long-standing close trade cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria has seen additional rapid growth in recent years, with the total value of bilateral trade almost doubling from 2019 to 2023, reaching approximately 3% of Greek GDP". He added that "examples of investments include the modernisation of the Thessaloniki-Sofia railway line, while a positive development is the opening of the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector, which boosts energy transmission."

PARTICIPANTS

Representatives of the following Greek businesses participated in the mission:

• Agrovim
• Econergy
• Elea Creta
• Elea Land
• Elvida Foods
• G. Glentos, and Kibo Cabins
• Hobsido
• Kourtidis
• Loulis Food Ingredients
• Matthaios & Sotirios Naoumis
• Mediterranean Palaca Hotel
• M&N Foods
•  Pobuca
• Portokallidis Plastics
• Systecom
• Tachas Bros