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SRCIC roadshow in Bulgaria
24 Nov 2018

 

From left:Bulgarian Former Deputy Prime Minister, SRCIC Executive Chairman , BCCI Chairman, SRCIC Vice Chairman and Secretary General, and SRCIC Financial Committee Chairman

 

On 20 November 2018, the Development Cooperation Conference on Joint Construction of the Belt and Road Mechanism and Platform co-organized by SRCIC and Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was successfully held in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria. The conference aimed at promoting SRCIC cooperative mechanism and platform to the Bulgarian business communities, and enhancing connectivity and pragmatic collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Bulgarian Former Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Tomov, BCCI Chairman Tsvetan Simeonov, SRCIC Executive Chairman Jean-Guy Carrier, SRCIC Vice Chairman and Secretary General Li Zhonghang, and over 100 representatives from Chinese and Bulgarian business communities attended the Conference.

 

Mr. Li indicated in his speech that the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese deepened opening up reform would bring the great potential opportunities to Bulgaria. “SRCIC will work closely with BCCI to build cooperative platform, and to advance the implementation of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative by jointly upholding the multilateral trade systems and facilitating an open world economy.” He added.

 

SRCIC Executive Chairman Jean-Guy Carrier introduced SRCIC projects including Silk Road Urban Alliance, Silk Road Enterprise Development Alliance, and Silk Road International Artwork Trading Center. SRCIC Financial Committee Chairman David Kiang elaborated SRCIC Silk Road International Development Fund to the participants. Deputy Executive Director of Invest Bulgaria Agency (IBA) Madzhide Ahmedova and Chairman of Bulgaria-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) Latchezar Dinev also made speeches at the panel session.

 

Secretary General Li Zhonghang (L) and Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria Zhang Haizhou(R)

 

SRCIC delegation led by Secretary General Li Zhonghang met with Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria Zhang Haizhou. H.E. Zhang appreciated Bulgarian business environment and SRCIC's active role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, and hoped SRCIC to work with Bulgarian enterprises for strengthening the cooperation.

 

Secretary General Li Zhonghang(L2)and Secretary in Charge of Economy and Investments Ms. Yuliana Dimitrova(R2)

 

On November 19, SRCIC Executive Chairman Jean-Guy Carrier, Vice Chairman and Secretary General Li Zhonghang, and Financial Committee Chairman David Kiang, accompanied by BCCI Chairman Tsvetan Simeonov, held talks with Ms. Yuliana Dimitrova, Secretary in Charge of Economy and Investments. Ms. Dimitrova said, “Bulgaria owns an advantageous geographical location connecting Asia-Europe and is also an important hub among the Silk Road countries.” She emphasized that it was a golden era to further promote pragmatic cooperation between two countries, hoping SRCIC and BCCI could with joint efforts attract more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bulgaria.

 

In return, SRCIC Secretary General Li replied, “Bulgaria has competitive advantages on natural environment, agricultural products, red wine, rose essential oil and etc. SRCIC will make endeavor to seek cooperative projects, to promote Bulgarian tourism, and to facilitate the import and export of agricultural products in Bulgaria.

 

Secretary General Li Zhonghang and Bulgarian Euro-Presidency Minister Lilyana Pavlova(L)

 

On November 20, SRCIC delegation held the meeting with Bulgarian Euro-Presidency Minister Lilyana Pavlova. Minister Pavlova said, “Bulgaria is an early supporter participating in the Belt and Road construction. I hope SRCIC could enhance cooperation with BCCI to promote the implementation of Belt and Road projects in Bulgaria.”

 

SRCIC delegation held talks with Bulgarian Euro-Presidency Minister Lilyana Pavlova

 

Secretary General Li Zhonghang and Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Rumen Porodzanov(L3)

 

Later that day, SRCIC delegation and Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Rumen Porodzanov held the meeting. Mr. Rumen Porodzanov expressed that the Sino-Bulgarian cooperation had been initiated under the framework of 16+1 Initiative since Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited Bulgaria in July this year. “BCCI is the influential chamber and also the good partner of SRCIC in Bulgaria. Bulgarian agricultural enterprises are almost private ones which needs the active promotion by chambers of commerce and industry. ” Porodzanov said. He also indicated that Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will give fullest support in cooperation between SRCIC and BCCI.”

 

SRCIC delegation and Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Rumen Porodzanov 

 

 Secretary General Li Zhonghang and Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy Alexander Manolev (R)

 

SRCIC delegation also held the meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy Alexander Manolev. Mr. Manolev noted that the economy of Bulgarian has grown steadily with a growth rate of 4%. Besides, the low unemployment and lower investment costs made the Bulgarian investment environment more attractive and competitive in Europe. “We welcome Chinese enterprises to Bulgaria and also hope to introduce agricultural products, food, red wine, cosmetics and other products to China.” He added.

 

SRCIC delegation and Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy Alexander Manolev

 

The event has attracted great attention of mainstream media. Xinhua News Agency reported in Chinese and English, the media online including People's Daily online reprinted the news, and Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported the news in English, Russian, Spanish, German, French, Serbian, Greek, Albanian, and Turkish.

 

Secretary General Li Zhonghang accepting an interview of the Bulgarian media

 

BACKGROUND INFO

 

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) established in 1895 is an independent, non-governmental organization. The BCCI became a member of SRCIC in February 2018. BCCI official webstie also reported the event this time. For more information you can click : https://www.bcci.bg/news/15061