Bulgaria is encouraging companies from China’s southeastern Fujian Province to consider the country as an investment destination. “The automotive sector is among the key areas in which Bulgaria is seeking new opportunities for economic and industrial cooperation with China,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev said during talks with the government of Fujian Province in the port city of Xiamen, as quoted by his ministry on Monday.
Poulev and a Bulgarian business delegation are taking part in the China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen. In Beijing on September 10, Poulev is expected to co-chair the 19th session of the Bulgaria-China Intergovernmental Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation.
The meeting in Xiamen discussed opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, industry, agriculture and high-tech manufacturing.
“We welcome the opportunity to develop economic relations between Bulgaria and Fujian Province. We see good prospects for concrete partnerships in sectors where Fujian has strong positions – electronics, automotive, new energy and green technologies,” Poulev said.
Fujian is one of China’s dynamically developing industrial and export-oriented regions, the press release noted. The province’s gross domestic product exceeds USD 900 billion. Fujian ranks seventh in China in terms of international trade, while the development of economic and free trade zones is among the key factors behind its growth.
“We can see the level of modernization in your province and in China as a whole. It is truly impressive. You have managed to achieve a high-quality transformation across all areas of the economy,” the Bulgarian Deputy PM told the hosts.
During his visit to Xiamen, Poulev toured the production facilities of Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading manufacturers of buses, electric vehicles, autonomous transport and smart mobility solutions.
King Long operates across the entire production cycle, from research and development to manufacturing. Among the company’s developments is the world’s first mass-produced autonomous electric bus with Level 4 autonomy.
The sides discussed King Long’s strategic expansion plans. Poulev invited company executives to visit Bulgaria and inspect suitable sites and industrial zones for possible business ventures.
“This is the kind of industrial development we are striving for – high technology, smart solutions, innovation, autonomous transport and high-value-added manufacturing. Bulgaria has the potential to become part of these value chains,” Poulev said.
He stressed that attracting high-tech investments and companies from the automotive industry is among Bulgaria’s priorities. “The automotive sector, electronics, new energy technologies and smart transport are areas where we see concrete potential for partnership,” the Deputy PM added.