Head of State Rumen Radev participated in a meeting with representatives of the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association (JBBA)

 

Bulgaria and Japan are united by centuries-old cultures, ancient traditions and successes in science and high technologies. This was stated by President Rumen Radev during his participation in a meeting with representatives of the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association (JBBA). The forum was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth, Tomislav Donchev, Minister of Economy and Industry, Peter Dilov, Minister of Tourism, Miroslav Borshosh, Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, H.E. Hisashi Michigami, the Executive Director of the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Boyko Takov, and the Chairman of the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association, Todor Kesimov . The event was dedicated to the prospects for the development and deepening of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Japan in the field of economy and investment. During the event, information was also presented on the preparation and participation of Bulgaria in the world exhibition EXPO 2025 in Osaka.

 

In his greeting, the head of state highlighted the long-standing bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Japan, based on mutual trust and respect and decades of intensive contacts in the fields of culture, education and economy. In the words of Rumen Radev, for Bulgaria, Japan is a model for promising socio-economic development, in which centuries-old traditions coexist with leading technologies in science and industry.

 

The President recalled the visit to Bulgaria of the late Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in 2018, as well as his visit to Japan the following year for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito. Rumen Radev emphasised that the presidential institution is consistently working to achieve the goals set at that time to raise the level of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Japan, expand business contacts, intensify cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, investments and high technologies. In February 2020, at the initiative of the presidential institution, with the support of the then Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria Masato Watanabe, a Bulgarian-Japanese business forum was held with the participation of heads of Japanese corporations with a total annual turnover of nearly 400 billion dollars - Mitsubishi Corporation, Takeda, SEGA Games, Murata Manufacturing, etc., together with Bulgarian companies, institutions and representatives of Bulgarian universities.

 

The President noted that the continuously growing interest of Japanese business in our country is indicative of the promising cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan. Rumen Radev also pointed out that expectations for Bulgaria's participation in EXPO 2025 in Osaka are high and expressed hope that with joint efforts the level of cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan will be raised to a strategic partnership.

 

Bulgaria can be a strategic partner of Japan for the region of Eastern and Central Europe not only with its strategic geographical location, but also with its quality human capital, the head of state emphasised, adding that our country provides excellent macroeconomic conditions for business. The head of state highlighted Japanese investments in the field of high technologies and the economy with high added value as key for our country.

 

In 2023, Bulgaria's total trade with Japan is approximately USD 308 million, and the total amount of Japanese investments in Bulgaria at the end of 2023 is EUR 109.2 million. In imports from Japan to our country, leading positions are occupied by automobiles, medical instruments and devices, electric motors and generators.