The Bulgarian-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) was officially launched last Friday during a ceremony held at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The event drew participation from high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Anton Kostadinov, and the Ambassador of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Agneza Rusi-Popovska, alongside local mayors and business leaders from both nations. Atanas Radev was named the inaugural chair of the new bilateral chamber.
In his remarks, Radev emphasized the necessity of building strong connections between the two countries. Kostadinov noted that while current trade turnover between Bulgaria and North Macedonia stands at EUR 1.3 billion, this figure is deemed insufficient given the potential of their economic relationship. He called for deepening cooperation in key sectors, including energy, construction, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and agriculture, advocating for a constructive dialogue among industry representatives.
Ambassador Rusi-Popovska highlighted Bulgaria’s importance to North Macedonia’s European integration, stressing that while trade relations have remained stable, boosting investment is crucial. She pointed to enhanced cooperation in manufacturing, transport, and digital services, noting that inadequate infrastructure currently limits full-scale economic ties. The BMCCI’s first initiative was a Business Forum, designed to strengthen bilateral commerce.
The forum aims to generate opportunities for joint ventures and future projects. The chamber plans to host such events annually in both countries, solidifying its role in fostering deeper economic ties across the industry sectors and supporting the region’s commercial development.
Topics: #chamber #commerce #industry
