A Bulgarian-Australian business forum on the planned EU-Australia free trade agreement is being held in Sofia today, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. Speakers will discuss what the deal means for Bulgarian business and how firms on both sides can prepare before it takes effect.
The event is in the Aula Magna of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". It is a hybrid forum, and the working language is English. It is organised by the Bulgarian-Australian Business Chamber, the chamber of commerce, the university's Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, and the Australian embassy for Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.
Officials from Bulgaria, Australia and the EU institutions will open the forum. Bulgarian and Australian companies, government bodies, the European Commission, trade groups and academics are taking part.
Those confirmed include Alison Duncan, Australia's ambassador to Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Deputy foreign minister Hristo Polendakov. And the chamber's chairman Tsvetan Simeonov. Also attending are Mariana Molnar of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security. Peter Nagy, director for coordination of the Australia-EU free trade agreement at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Rachel White, Australian trade and investment commissioner in Milan. And Jason Collins, chief executive of the European Australian Business Council.
The programme has four business panels on sectors where the two sides can work together. Afterwards, participants can register their business interests and be put in touch with possible partners from Bulgaria and Australia.
European Commission data quoted in the press release show that 310 Bulgarian companies now export to Australia. Their exports are worth more than €95m a year and include machinery, pharmaceuticals, optical and medical instruments, and farm products.
Updated (07.10, 11:09): Bulgaria's exports to Australia are worth $60 million a year, not more than €95 million as first reported, deputy foreign minister Hristo Polendakov said. He said exports have grown by more than 141% in 10 years, from $25 million in 2015. Polendakov welcomed progress in talks on a bilateral direct tax agreement between Bulgaria and Australia. He also said Sofia will host the regional connectivity summit in 2027.