Bulgarian enterprises stay ready to invest and cooperate with Vietnamese partners, President Rosen Plevneliev said at the Vietnam-Bulgaria Business Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on October 30.

Addressing the event, the Bulgarian President, who is paying a State visit to Vietnam, lauded the organisation of the forum and said that the traditional relation and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Bulgaria will pave the way for the lifting of bilateral cooperation in the coming time.

Vietnam can be a bridge linking Bulgaria and Southeast Asian countries, while Bulgaria will help Vietnam penetrate EU market, he added.

The leader also pledged to share with Vietnam the country’s experience in energy, health care, education and environment areas.

A representative from the Bulgaria Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), co-organiser of the event, said the country is now strongly developing the infrastructure of industrial zones, and improve its policies and incentives to lure investment.

According to the BCCI, Vietnam and Bulgaria can boost cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, ecological agriculture, IT, telecommunication, clean energy, and personnel training in atomic energy.

The Foreign Investment Agency introduced Bulgarian businesses to Vietnam’s advantages in manpower, rich natural resources, and open policies for foreign investors.

Deputy Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Le Manh Ha said two way trade between Vietnam and Bulgaria was worth 60 million USD last year and Bulgarian enterprises are now investing in seven projects in Vietnam, with total capital worth 30 million USD.

He said the figure is still very modest in comparison with the two countries’ cooperation potentials. He urged businesses from Vietnam and Bulgaria to grasp the occasion offered at the forum to exchange information and promote cooperation and investment in the time to come.-VNA