NEWS

Opportunities to attract further investments and create new markets for Bulgarian business in focus at President's meetings in New York

Investment opportunities in the fields of agriculture and food production, infrastructure and energy were discussed yesterday in New Yorkby President Rosen Plevneliev and the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In their overall view, these sectors have the greatest potential for Kuwaiti investments being implemented in Bulgaria. The two countries have significant experience in the field of military co-operation, which, the two leaders agreed, is a good basis for the development of bilateral relations in the area of defence.

During the talks, President Plevneliev confirmed his invitation to the Emir of Kuwait Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to visit Bulgaria to discuss specific bilateral projects. The two leaders also focused on cultural interaction between the two countries.

Bulgaria’s President and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono saw their meeting in New York as a “new stage in the development of bilateral relations”. Bulgaria considers Indonesia one of its key partners in Southeast Asia and highly values the Asian country’s role in fostering regional co-operation and integration in regional organization ASEAN. The two heads of state put the emphasis on improving trade and economic ties and deepening of business contacts. Bulgaria is an established stable and predictable partner and provides excellent access to the European market, the Indonesian President said. The two presidents also discussed training opportunities for Indonesian students in Bulgaria.

President Plevneliev discussed with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinistö the potential for increasing the number of Finnish tourists visiting Bulgaria. President Plevneliev emphasized Bulgaria’s interest in Finnish companies participating in the implementation of strategic projects of European and national importance. Bulgaria will support Finland being elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2013-2014, it was agreed at the talks.

Bulgaria’s economy must find a place of honour in emerging markets, the President said after the meetings in New York. Bulgaria provides stability and a favourable business environment, but also requires good quality projects, he said, and called for more business activity.

The President’s working visit continues today with a visit to Boston, where he will meet students and deliver a lecture at Harvard on “The road to development in Southeast Europe: a Bulgarian perspective”. In speaking to the students, the President will focus on the importance of strategic thinking about the effectiveness and competitiveness of the economy and the need for long-term economic development planning. He is expected to reiterate that decisions in times of crisis should be taken at national level. In the coming decades, economic development will be determined by the stability of public finances, reforms in the public sector and smart investments in industries with high added value, President Plevneliev believes.