"Bulgaria is a European and a democratic country, the direction is clear and the US is a natural strategic partner for our economy," said caretaker Innovation and Growth Minister Alexander Pulev here on Thursday during the opening of the EXPLORE U.S. conference.
Two-way trade between Bulgaria and the US stood at USD 1.3 billion in 2021, which is 20% more compared to 2020. Exports have increased by 16% in the first seven months of this year, compared to the like period of 2021, Pulev said.
The Ministry is working on three main areas - encouraging investments, effectively managing European funds and strategic partnership, Pulev said, adding that over 20 priority US projects worth BGN 4 billion have been certified since 2005, over 3,500 jobs have been created. "We are working on four more projects with US sponsors, with which I hope we will be able to create 1,000 jobs for high-tech specialists," the caretaker Minister said, explaining that there are new procedures for accelerating the certification of projects. "Our approach to investors is proactive," he said.
"In the second half of August, we submitted to the European Commission OP Competitiveness and Innovations and got Brussels' approval within a record-short period. The Programme's budget is BGN 3 billion for innovations and export potential," Pulev said.
"We have strategic dialogue with the US and with other partners. Currently I am a national coordinator of the Three Seas Initiative and we had interesting discussions with the American partners with a focus on cybersecurity," he said.
/RY/
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