The Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva and the Ambassador of Croatia H.E. Jasna Ognianovac discussed cooperation in the field of creative industries, startups and entrepreneurship. Minister Stoycheva and H.E. Ognianovac emphasized the traditionally good partnership between Bulgaria and Croatia in areas such as economy, culture and education and discussed opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of innovation, high technologies and research and development.
“The Ministry of Innovation and Growth recognizes the development of innovation in sectors with high added value for our economy as leading. Among them are the IT sector, high technologies, microelectronics, mechatronics, bioeconomy, biotechnology, culture and creative industries, circular economy,” Stoycheva said.
A highlight of the meeting was the development of the entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem. Her Excellency Ognianovac stated that it is very well developed in Croatia, with a number of start-ups already being “unicorns” – valued at over $1 billion.
Minister Stoycheva introduced the Ambassador of Croatia to one of Ministry’s goals – turning the region into an innovation hub. The aim is to strengthen the cooperation between the Balkan countries, as well as the region as a whole, in the field of new technologies, digitalization, scientific achievements, entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem. Both sides emphasized that they will work in close cooperation on the topic, as well as to support young people in Bulgaria and Croatia.
