site.btaVarna Municipality Hosts Bulgarian-Egyptian Business Forum

A Bulgarian-Egyptian business forum was held in Varna on the initiative of Egypt's Ambassador Khalid Ibrahim Emara and Varna Mayor Ivan Portnih, Varna Municipality said on Friday. The event was organized by Varna Municipality with support from the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, the Union of Arab Chambers, the Varna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Regional Industrial Association - Varna, the Hoteliers Union Golden Sands, and the Varna Chamber of Commerce.

The forum brought together representatives of more than 30 companies in tourism, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, furniture manufacture, textiles, fruit and vegetable exports, and the cultural industry.

Mayor Ivan Portnih opened the meeting, offering thanks to the Egyptian Embassy for the good cooperation, and to the representatives of the branch chambers of Varna for the active partnership. "I believe that in times of economic challenges such contacts are an excellent opportunity for new partnerships and markets. We are ready to also encourage the development of bilateral cooperation in education, smart cities and high technology," Portnih said.

Addressing the participants, the Egyptian Ambassador said his country is the businesses' gateway to Africa, while Bulgaria is the gateway to Europe, which can form a good basis for useful contacts.

Varna Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ivan Tabakov, Regional Industrial Association - Varna representative Silvia Stumpf, and EMEA Zone representative Ahmed Nasr also addressed the participants. Union of Arab Chambers Secretary General Khaled Hanafy joined by videoconference from Egypt.

The Egyptian participants showed an interest in Varna-based companies making probiotic products, textiles and furniture, the hotel and tourism industry.