Italian businesses make an important contribution to the growth of the Bulgarian economy and the development of its competitiveness and modernisation. This was stated by Head of State Rumen Radev during a ceremony at which he awarded the Honorary Presidential Medal to Roberto Santorelli, President of Confindustria Bulgaria. The association, established in 2000, aims to represent Italian companies in Bulgaria. The award was presented for Roberto Santorelli's contribution to the development of Bulgarian-Italian economic relations and fruitful cooperation with state institutions in the interests of business and citizens. The event was also attended by H.E. Marcello Apicella, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Bulgaria.

 

Bulgaria and Italy are not only allies and partners, but above all friends, said the president, highlighting his regular meetings with President Sergio Mattarella, at which economic cooperation between the two countries is always a leading topic. Italy is one of Bulgaria's leading trade, economic, and investment partners, with trade in goods amounting to over EUR 2.8 billion in the first half of this year and the total volume of Italian investments in Bulgaria exceeding EUR 4 billion. The Head of State emphasised that Italian investments are valuable not only because they create new jobs, but also because they introduce a successful model of relations between business, society, and the state. 

 

Rumen Radev congratulated the management of Confindustria Bulgaria for their active cooperation since the beginning of his presidential term and praised Roberto Santorelli for his contribution to the business delegations led by the president during visits abroad.