Bulgaria, Hungary Discuss Investment, Trade Links  

Bulgaria can be an attractive investment destination for Hungarian businesses in a number of sectors including mechanical and electrical engineering, information technology, telecommunications, environmental protection technology, Bulgaria's Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski has said.

There is also untapped potential in the areas of transport infrastructure and logistics, agriculture and food products, including production of organic food, Lukarski has said at the opening of a Hungarian-Bulgarian business forum in Budapest on Thursday, according to a statement from the Economy Ministry in Sofia.

Representatives of over 140 companies from both countries attended the forum.

Hungary?s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said at the forum that trade turnover with Bulgaria had increased by 14% in 2015, reaching EUR 1.3 B, including Hungarian exports of EUR 955 M.

Szijjárto added that Hungary's Eximbank would open a EUR 370 M credit line to encourage partnerships between Hungarian and Bulgarian businesses, according to Hungarian news agency MTI.

Bulgarian exports to Hungary traditionally include footwear, foods, machines, aluminum, textiles, batteries and petroleum oils.

Imports from Hungary include television and radio sets and parts for them, automobiles, medicines, electrical goods, meat products, and industrial goods.