President Radev: German investors make an outstanding contribution to the development of a modern and competitive economy in Bulgaria

German investors bring to Bulgaria new, progressive models of relations between business, the state and society, which contribute a lot to the development of a modern and competitive economy in our country. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who today awarded Dr. Mitko Vassilev with the "Stara Planina" order, first degree. The long-time general manager of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce was honored for his services to the development of trade and economic relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Republic of Germany.

In his speech at the solemn ceremony, which took place in the Emblem Hall of "Dondukov" 2, the head of state highlighted the efforts and dedication with which Mitko Vassilev has contributed over the past thirty years to the development of the connection of the Bulgarian and German economies and confirmed the German-Bulgarian industrial - chamber of commerce as one of the most authoritative business organizations in our country.

President Radev emphasized the significant role of Mitko Vassilev for the dynamic and upward development of commercial and economic cooperation with Germany. "Particularly people like Mitko Vasilev, with their determination and dedication, are paving healthy paths of trust, friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding. Roads that withstand any political conjuncture," the head of state also emphasized during the ceremony. President Radev pointed out that Germany is one of the leading strategic investors in our country and the largest foreign market of the Bulgarian economy. In 2022, bilateral trade will exceed a record 12 billion euros, the head of state also pointed out and added that over five thousand German companies are developing business in Bulgaria.

For his part, Mitko Vasilev expressed his gratitude for the honor and the highest state award received, stressing that Germany is a strategically important and very strong partner of Bulgaria and expressed the expectation that in 2023 a new record will be achieved in trade between the two countries.

The solemn ceremony was also attended by Dr. Martin Vansleben, General Manager of the Association of German Chambers of Foreign Trade and Industry (DIHK), who expressed his gratitude for Mitko Vassilev's extraordinary dedication over the past thirty years and the successes achieved in the friendly trade-economic relations between Bulgaria and Germany.

Earlier, the head of state held a working meeting with Dr. Martin Vansleben at "Dondukov" 2, in which Mitko Vasilev also took part. During the conversation, the prospects for the subsequent increase of German investments in our country were discussed. The significant funds invested so far in areas such as the automotive sector, the machine-building industry and the production of metals by German business in Bulgaria are a good basis for the future deepening of economic relations between the two countries, was the general position during the meeting. President Rumen Radev highlighted the ambitions of our country in the field of innovation and high technologies and, in this regard, emphasized the high potential of young people in Bulgaria as a factor that contributes to our country being a preferred place for significant investments.

The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed chief manager of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sonja Miklai, who will take up the position on March 1 this year.