Hanoi (VNA) – A Vietnam – Bulgaria business networking event has been held at the Trakia Economic Zone (TEZ) headquarters in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, aiming to strengthen trade ties and support Vietnamese businesses in accessing the Bulgarian market.

Co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Plovdiv branch of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI–Plovdiv), the event followed the Vietnam – Bulgaria Economic Cooperation Forum held the previous day in Sofia.

The event saw Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, BCCI–Plovdiv President Simeon Tonev, Trakia Economic Zone TEZ CEO Plamen Panchev, and representatives from 20 Bulgarian and 10 Vietnamese companies.

In her remarks, Ambassador Nguyet praised the support of Plovdiv authorities and TEZ leaders, calling the event a concrete step in implementing the cooperation goals discussed in Sofia. She expressed her hope that participating businesses will turn opportunities into real trade deals and investment projects, reinforcing the Vietnam–Bulgaria comprehensive partnership.

BCCI–Plovdiv President Simeon Tonev welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, highlighting Plovdiv’s strong economic indicators – over 5% annual GDP growth, unemployment below 3.5%, and average per capita income exceeding 10,000 EUR (11,500 USD). He underlined the city’s strength as an education hub, with more than 30,000 students contributing to a skilled workforce in technology, agriculture, and healthcare. BCCI–Plovdiv, he said, stands ready to act as a bridge for long-term business collaboration.

TEZ CEO Plamen Panchev shared that just prior to the event, the Bulgarian government had reached out to ensure maximum support for the Vietnamese delegation. With over 300 companies and 70,000 employees, TEZ is among Bulgaria’s largest industrial zones, boasting modern infrastructure, strategic transport links, and strong partnerships with educational institutions, he said, adding that these factors make it attractive to Vietnamese investors.

During the discussion, Vietnamese firms raised questions on innovation, incentives, and training collaboration. Panchev emphasised TEZ’s prioritisation of innovation, noting a recent international forum with participation from the European Commission and regional businesses. Among key initiatives is a globally patented water treatment technology.

TEZ showed interest in working with Vietnamese innovation centres and launching joint vocational training programmes with Vietnamese universities, building on current collaborations with Plovdiv University and Plovdiv Technical University.

On investment policy, TEZ noted Bulgaria’s incentives for foreign investors, including social insurance support for projects over 10 million BGN (6.01 million USD), and partial capital reimbursement for investments exceeding 100 million BGN.

The event concluded with B2B meetings between Vietnamese and Bulgarian firms, exploring cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, high-tech industries, and human resource development.

ඣ Overall, the event was viewed as a practical and impactful step toward advancing Vietnam – Bulgaria trade and economic relations, especially in high-potential regions like Plovdiv./.