The Minister of Innovation and Growth, Irena Mladenova, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, H.E. Chikahisa Sumi. The parties discussed opportunities to further deepen cooperation in the fields of investment, innovation, high technology, and digitalization.
Minister Mladenova emphasized that, for Bulgaria, Japan is a key strategic partner in East Asia. “Japan’s leadership in high-technology sectors and innovation provides a strong foundation for the further deepening of our partnership,” she stated.
The parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to intensifying cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including technology transfer, joint research, innovation clusters, the development of SMEs and the start-up ecosystem, and sustainable green technologies.
Particular emphasis was placed on establishing sustainable partnerships in support of long-term economic development. The discussion also addressed investment promotion, with Minister Mladenova highlighting the new Interactive Investment Map of Bulgaria, developed by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth in cooperation with the Invest Bulgaria Agency.
According to her, the digital platform provides comprehensive information on investment opportunities in the country, including industrial and logistics zones, technology parks, infrastructure, research institutions, and innovation hubs.
The parties also noted the positive momentum in the expansion of joint bilateral projects in the field of artificial intelligence. By way of example, they referred to the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of scientific research, concluded between INSAIT and RIKEN, Japan’s largest research institution.
The meeting confirmed the mutual commitment to further developing economic relations between Bulgaria and Japan and to implementing new joint projects with long-term impact.
Also participating in the meeting were Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, and Radmila Yordanova, Chief of Staff.
