A plan to intensify bilateral economic ties was agreed on by Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Dilma Rousseff at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro on the third day of the “Rio+20” UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Implementation of the plan will begin with a visit to Bulgaria by a Brazilian delegation to identify potential sectors and projects that appeal to Brazilian investors. Brazilian representatives will explore the site and opportunities for participation in the implementation of the future technological centre “Sofia Tech Park”. The articulation of specific joint projects will be followed by a visit by representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and representatives of Bulgarian business to Brazil to prepare specific agreements between the two countries. Forthcoming amendments to the Investment Promotion Act currently being prepared in Bulgaria will significantly ease the conditions for starting a business in Bulgaria, President Plevneliev emphasised during the talks.
President Plevneliev invited Brazil to be a strategic partner to Bulgaria in the field of agriculture and food production. Brazil is among the leading countries in these areas and can help Bulgaria fulfill its potential.
President Plevneliev presented Bulgaria’s current main macro-economic indicators and said that Bulgaria is unique in Europe in its credit rating being increased in conditions of crisis. President Rousseff is committed in the coming months to send representatives of the Brazilian government and business to Bulgaria to explore in situ possibilities for launching joint projects and joint ventures. Specific areas of interest to Brazilian businesses are high technology, co-operation in science and education, agriculture and production of fertilizers.
The two presidents also agreed to strengthen exchanges between the two countries and to improve relations between Bulgaria and Brazil, especially in promising areas of co-operation such as science, technology and biotechnology. President Rousseff wanted more Brazilian students to receive higher education in Bulgaria, which, in her words, is at an extremely high level, especially in engineering specialisations.
The crisis and the situation in Europe were among the highlights during the conversation. Brazilian President Rousseff expressed her readiness to assist European countries at a time that is difficult for them. In turn, the Bulgarian Head of State reiterated that now is the time for the important reforms that lead to new growth.
President Rousseff recalled to President Plevneliev her emotional ties with Bulgaria and the thrilling memories she has of visiting the country last year.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Totyu Mladenov, who accompanied the Head of State during his visit to Brazil.