On February 27, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry was visited by a representative delegation of businessmen from the Bulgarian city of Burgas.
Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna and one of the largest Bulgarian ports. The city’s population counts more than 200 000 people. Burgas is developing vigorously as an industrial center and a resort. There is a petrochemical plant, food, textile, machine-building enterprises, and developed fisheries. Located in the Burgas region are the famous resorts - (Sunny Beach, Nessebar) and mineral baths, the "Burgas Mineralny Bani".
The Head of the Trade and Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Chavdar Khristosov, noted that in 2017, the exports from Russia to Bulgaria grew by 87%, and imports from Bulgaria increased by 34% and reached $ 3.7 billion. The trade turnover between the countries increased by 41%, which is the best indicator in the last 15 years. He said that the MCCI has very close ties with the CCI of Bulgaria.
The President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vladimir Platonov, stressed the importance of Chambers of Commerce and Industry as representatives of business interests. "If an entrepreneur addresses the authorities alone, he is a petitioner; if this happens within the framework of the expert community of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he becomes a participant in the business development process of the capital, and his voice will certainly be paid attention to", Mr. Platonov said.
The President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the scope of activities of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry with an emphasis on active international participation, particularly regarding the work of the Business Council of the C6 (the CCIs of 6 cities - Moscow, Berlin, Paris, London, Beijing and São Paulo). He also noted that the ties between Russia and Bulgaria are very binding: "We understand each other, we share a similar mind set, therefore the development of economic liaison is both a requisite and a continuation of mutual partnership ", said Mr. Platonov.
Within the context of the region's presentation, the participants of the meeting noted that Bourgas occupies second place in terms of attracting direct investment among the regions of Bulgaria and third place in terms of employment. The location of Bourgas is one of the most advantageous in Europe, since it provides access to the best routes for the delivery of goods. Since 1989, the zone of duty-free trade operates in Burgas. There also exists an industrial park.
The members of the delegation, which included representatives of construction, cosmetics, hotel and restaurant businesses, the Burgas Maritime Association, the energy industry, noted the keen interest in establishing partnerships with Moscow’s colleagues. The ongoing agenda will take the delegation of Bourgas’ companies to the city of Perm.
The parties agreed to intensify contacts and move on to discuss the provisions of the cooperation agreement.