Bulgaria and Romania should have many more common policies, because if they are united, they will more easily succeed in attracting investments, including from Asian markets, and also in becoming a political factor with influence in the European Union similarly to the Visegrad Four. Such was the wish to both countries and the firm belief expressed by Lyubomir Mitov, Chief Economist of UniCredit for Central and Eastern Europe, during the forum “Romanian-Bulgarian Business Day: Bridges”, organized by UniCredit Bulbank, with the support of the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria-Romania and under the auspices of the Embassy of Romania in Bulgaria.

The exclusive event brought together Bulgarian and Romanian companies interested in development on both markets and also diplomats, financial and business partners and international economic experts.  

The forum was opened by His Excellency Ion Galea, Ambassador of Romania to Bulgaria.  He noted that the good cooperation between the two countries is of great importance to the economies of Bulgaria and Romania and that the solidarity between us could be an example for the EU. Today, March 1st, is the date of two cheerful and very similar holidays in the two countries – the day of Baba Marta in Bulgaria and Mărţişor in Romania, the ambassador said. 

“Bulgaria and Romania are connected through a number of economic, cultural, social and historical bridges.  It is in our hands to further develop and strengthen them and to build new ones”, commented the official host of the event Antoaneta Curteanu, Director of Corporate and Investment Banking and Private Banking Division and member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank. She said that since taking up the position in Bulgaria she has discovered that the similarities between us are many more than the differences.  The President of the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria-Romania Doru Dragomir and the Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency Stamen Yanev attended the event too and pointed out the great need of strengthening the contacts between the two neighbour countries.   Emiliano Steinfl, Head of the International Center of UniCredit Bulbank, presented the possibilities for business contacts and partnership offered by the center to Bulgarian and Romanian companies. 

Lyubomir Mitov said before the guests that a favourable economic period has come for Bulgaria and Romania and that the growth of 2016 is expected to be maintained in 2017 and to persist in the short term. According to preliminary assessments for 2016 the actual GDP growth reached 4.8% for Romania and 3.5% for Bulgaria.  This, according to him, will not be sufficient though for reaching in the near future the average level of income in the EU – something that is a major problem for the Bulgarian citizens.  Serious challenges faced by Bulgaria and the region are the aging population and the emigration of young and well educated people.  Most often they go abroad not only because of the higher remuneration, but also because of their willingness to grow and demonstrate their skills, commented Mitov.

In his words, in order for our country to attract investments in industries with high added value and well-paid jobs, it needs to have a transport infrastructure and most of all – qualified and educated people. 

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Additional media information:

Victoria Blajeva, tel +359 (0) 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Beatris Nikolova, tel +359 (0) 2 9232 528, cfbusjt/ojlpmpwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch