Istanbul (Washington Insider Magazine)—March 25, 2025 — Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat will lead a high-level business delegation to Bulgaria as part of a diplomatic and commercial mission aimed at strengthening bilateral trade relations and exploring new investment opportunities.
The visit, organized with the support of the state-run Anadolu Agency, marks a renewed push to deepen Türkiye’s economic footprint in the Balkans.
Key Delegates and Agenda
Joining Minister Bolat will be Mustafa Gültepe, the President of the Türkiye Exporters’ Assembly (TİM), along with top executives and representatives from various Turkish companies active in export and foreign trade.
According to official sources, the Turkish delegation will meet with a Bulgarian trade delegation, followed by high-level discussions with Petar Dilov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy and Industry.
The key topics of discussion will include:
- Expanding bilateral trade volume
- Encouraging mutual investments
- Enhancing sectoral cooperation in manufacturing, logistics, and energy
- Addressing cross-border trade challenges
Trade Figures Reflect Strong Partnership
Türkiye and Bulgaria share a robust trade relationship. In 2024, the total bilateral trade volume reached $7.79 billion, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). Of that, Türkiye exported goods worth $5.15 billion, while imports from Bulgaria totaled $2.64 billion.
These figures reflect a growing interdependence between the two nations, particularly in energy, construction materials, machinery, and food products.
Community Engagement and Cultural Diplomacy
In addition to official meetings, Minister Bolat and his team will attend an iftar dinner with Turkish and Bulgarian business community members. The dinner symbolizes not just economic dialogue but also cultural diplomacy during the holy month of Ramadan.
Beyond Trade: Bulgaria’s Role in Tourism
Bulgaria is also a key tourism partner for Türkiye. With shared borders and rich historical ties, the two countries see significant cross-border tourism traffic. Discussions are expected to touch on ways to facilitate travel and tourism partnerships, especially in border regions.
A Strategic Relationship
This visit is seen as part of Türkiye’s broader strategy to deepen economic ties with neighboring countries, especially within the European Union framework, of which Bulgaria is a member. By reinforcing commercial links and investment dialogue, both sides aim to create sustainable economic growth and regional stability.
