-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Launched in Sofia

The Bulgarian-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) was officially launched on Friday during a ceremony held at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Attendees included the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Anton Kostadinov, the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Agneza Rusi-Popovska, local mayors, and business representatives from both nations. Atanas Radev will chair the new bilateral chamber.

In his address, Radev emphasized the need to build stronger connections between the two neighboring countries. Kostadinov noted that the economic cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, currently valued at EUR 1.3 billion, is significantly lower than its potential. He urged a pragmatic dialogue among business organizations to deepen ties in sectors such as energy, construction, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and agriculture.

Ambassador Agneza Rusi-Popovska highlighted that Bulgaria is a vital trading partner for North Macedonia, serving as a gateway to the European Union. She linked deeper economic integration to North Macedonia’s EU accession process, while also calling for increased investment across sectors like energy, manufacturing, transport, and digital services. Ivan Todorov, Vice President of the BCCI, echoed the sentiment, stressing the necessity of improving connectivity across road, rail, and air transport to unlock the full potential of the business relationship.

The BMCCI initiated its activities with a Bulgarian–Macedonian Business Forum, designed to foster joint ventures and future cooperation. The chamber plans to host similar forums annually in both countries, solidifying its role in promoting cross-border commerce and industry.

Topics: #chamber #commerce #industry