BCCI actively supports the “France – South-Eastern Europe” business forum initiative of UBIFRANCE

On 5^th and 6^th July in Sofia a two-day business forum “France – South Eastern Europe” organized by the Economic Mission of the French Embassy to Bulgaria UBIFRANCE is taking place.

Among the official guests are Delyan Dobrev, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, H.E. Philippe Autie, Ambassador of France to Bulgaria, Christophe Lecourtier, Chief Executive Office of UBIFRANCE, Athanasios Petropoulos, CEO of Emporiki Bank Bulgaria.

BCCI appreciates the choice of Bulgaria to host the first regional forum for South-Eastern Europe. “We consider this is a positive sign for achieving higher goals in the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation”, the President of BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov who took part in the forum said.

Naturally, BCCI did not confine itself to praises and rendering thanks. The Chamber significantly contributed to the entire organization process and plans to continue this initiative so that French investments in Bulgaria and the region catch up with the size of investments made in other countries.

In the first half of 2012, two campaigns of the Bulgarian Embassy in Paris and its Commercial Office were organized to attract the interest of French companies towards the Bulgarian economy. In January, BCCI organized a delegation to Marseille in order to promote cooperation with Bulgarian companies from the textile industry, IT, agriculture and tourism. Last month, a large business mission to Paris was organized with the participation of almost 200 French companies, which alongside the presentation of business opportunities in Bulgaria were reminded of the upcoming South-Eastern Europe forum.

200 companies have attended the forum “France – South Eastern Europe” in Sofia. In addition to French and Bulgarian companies, business representatives from 11 South-Eastern European countries take part in the initiative – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Cyprus, Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro. Representatives of French companies operating in these countries and in Austria, Italy and Turkey also participate in the event.

BCCI’s direct contribution is its commitment to holding the forum of UBIFRANCE, and the Chamber is available to provide any consultations and assistance for additional organization of meetings. Tsvetan Simeonov reminded that the establishment of the representative office of UBIFRANCE in Bulgaria gave the start of a very close and promising cooperation. We hope that the presence of French investors in Bulgaria, together with our joint efforts, will contribute to enhancing and improving the French businesses’ knowledge of the vast opportunities available not only in Bulgaria, but in the entire region, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov concluded.