Bulgaria and Switzerland have significant potential to further deepen their bilateral cooperation in the fields of innovation, investment, and technology. This was confirmed during a meeting between the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Irena Mladenova, and H.E. Pierre Hagmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bulgaria.
Minister Mladenova emphasized that Bulgaria places high value on its partnership with Switzerland and attaches particular importance to further strengthening bilateral economic relations. She noted that her principal priorities as caretaker minister include technology transfer, as a means of accelerating the conversion of scientific achievements into market-ready solutions, as well as the development of defence innovation, with a view to creating new opportunities for Bulgarian innovators, researchers, and companies operating in the field of dual-use technologies.
The parties discussed the principal areas of cooperation, including joint research and development initiatives involving universities, research organizations, and technology companies, as well as the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem through enhanced cooperation among innovation centres, accelerators, and investment funds. As a notable example of such cooperation, they referred to the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (INSAIT), which was established in partnership with Switzerland’s ETH Zurich and EPFL, two of the world’s leading technical universities.
The Minister of Innovation and Growth stated that there are opportunities for partnership between Sofia Tech Park and technology parks in Switzerland, with a view to strengthening research initiatives, technology transfer, and the exchange of experience and best practices.
The parties also discussed enhancing cooperation with the Swiss Innovation Agency, Innosuisse, as a valuable opportunity for strategic dialogue and for advancing national innovation priorities.
It was further emphasized during the meeting that Swiss companies rank among the largest investors in Bulgaria, particularly in high-technology sectors.
For his part, Ambassador Hagmann emphasized Switzerland’s strong partnership with Bulgaria, referring in particular to the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme as an example. In his words, Bulgaria has a highly developed IT sector, which creates opportunities for the implementation of joint innovation and technology projects.
