President Parvanov: Greece Still Main Investment Partner
Bulgarian-Greek relations are developing gradually, regardless of the government in power, Bulgaria's President, Georgi Parvanov, said after the meeting with his Greek counterpart, Karolos Papoulias yesterday.
"Greece is one of our main partners with regards to stock exchange and investments. We are pleased to announce that the recession has not lead to any serious disturbances in these relations. On the opposite, the tourist flow has increased both ways," Parvanov said.
He has expressed hope that the upcoming Bulgarian-Greek business forum will provide new ideas "that we will support."
The forum is entitled "The role of companies providing consulting services in the development of public and private sector." It is oraganized by the Embassy of Greece in Sofia, together with the Hellenic Business Council and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will take place today at Sheraton Sofia Balkan. Both presidents will jointly inaugurate the forum.
Greece is an important economic partners of Bulgaria. Bilateral trade hit 1.8 billion euros (about 2.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2009. There are now some 1,500 Greek companies operating in Bulgaria, with a total investment of 2.8 billion euros (3.8 billion dollars).