Deputy Economy

German firms have signed a range of business deals with Iranian partners as part of two-day visit with Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel aimed at rebuilding trade ties, the ministry said on Oct. 3.

Tirana and Skopje have reached an agreement aimed at ending an ongoing dispute over lengthy phytosanitary checks on Albanian fresh produce at the Macedonian border, following intense diplomatic negotiations over the past two days.

Korean companies have expressed interest in investing in infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, as well as in the production of electric vehicles and in cheese processing, according to Bulgaria's Economy Ministry.

Bulgaria ranks 57th in the world by innovations, according to Deputy Economy Minister Daniela Vezieva.

Speaking Wednesday at the opening of a Bulgarian-Israeli forum on innovations, she pointed out that the IT sector was among the leading spheres as regards the introduction of innovations in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister Daniela Vezieva has predicted that the absorption rate under the Innovations and Competitiveness operational program could reach up to 90% due to the great interest in it.

Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister Branimir Botev expects a 4.5% - 5% increase of tourists in the winter season compared to last year.

He noted that even in the absence of appropriate conditions for winter tourism, a growth of 4.1% was recorded in 2013, and this year an even stronger season is expected, Darik news reports.

Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister Branimir Botev has met with Russian journalists and informed them of the situation in Bulgarian resorts after last week's devastating floods.

Part of the South Stream gas pipeline could pass through Crimea, according to some Russian media reports confirmed by Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister.

Business outlet RosInvest has suggested that Gazprom would consider the move once the situation in Ukraine de-escalates.