/ world today news/ Lachezar Dinev is the chairman of the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry /BKTPP/. In an interview with KMG, he shared some ideas for new partnerships with Chinese companies, as well as the Chamber’s participation in the Sixth Shanghai International Import Expo
Q. Mr. Dinev, please tell us more about some current programs on which BCTPP is working and which are related to Bulgarian-Chinese trade cooperation?
A. About a week ago, we introduced our imported Chinese drones for agriculture. The demonstration we made to agricultural and agricultural producers was of great interest, they were fascinated by the possibilities that these drones provide to them to increase the efficiency of their work. As we know, China is the largest producer of drones, we are importing and now we are already presenting their capabilities in the various fields of agricultural production.
At the same time, in the Black Sea city of Burgas, together with the Center for Promoting Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture between China and CEE countries, we held the second stage of the specialized program for Innovations in Agriculture, which is within the framework of the Cooperation Mechanism between China and these countries, including Bulgaria. The best innovations in the field of agriculture were shown and awarded. At the same time, we work together with several Bulgarian higher education institutions under the “Autonomous Tractors and Autonomous Systems” Program. And in this regard, we are satisfied, because we are already seeing the results – the demand for these systems from various agricultural producers is increasing.
Q. In just one day, one of the largest international trade fairs – the Sixth edition of the China EXPO – will be opened, and more countries and more companies are expected to display their products this year. What will be the participation of BCTPP?
O. The Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry will participate in Bulgaria’s chances, organized by the Center for Promoting Cooperation in Agriculture between China and CEE. I want to emphasize that, apart from the Chamber, we will also participate as a company that produces and exports a unique water – “pink drinking water” and this is something that we will show for the first time at the international exhibition. This water is a product whose development began in 2012 on the idea of our Chinese partners and is pure spring water and essential rose oil from the Bulgarian rose “Damascena”. It has low mineralization and is suitable for daily use, and the spring from which it is taken is located in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains. This special rose water for drinking strengthens the immune system and cleanses the body. Rose water for drinking is a product, which is a joint development between Bulgaria and China, and which has already found its Chinese market. It’s not a cosmetic product, it’s not something made from rose oil, and for that, the price is not as high as rose oil. The basis of the product is an extract of roses and water, in a certain ratio. In 2017, for it, in Abu Dhabi, we received one of the biggest awards for an innovative product. Since then, we distribute this water in 37 countries, and of course – since it is a joint development with China – the largest amount that we export is to China.
In addition, at the exhibition in Shanghai we will present other products – food, agricultural, as well as tools that are used for their production, including unique knives, hand-made by Bulgarian manufacturers in a special way. These are unique, which we have so far presented at various exhibitions all over the world and which have won many awards, since they are made “by hand” using a specific technology.
In this way, we try to diversify the production from Bulgaria, which we present in China, with different, new types of goods.
In June, representatives of the palace visited Anhui province, where we opened a Bulgarian pavilion. And it was there that it struck me that most of the products that Bulgaria presents to China are based on Bulgarian rose oil, that is, we don’t have enough other diverse goods and productions. And our country has many diverse opportunities. It also struck me that we don’t have a product that can “grab” the visitor at first sight, a product that is more affordable. Because we know that the price of rose oil is not at all small and not enough is bought. And that’s why we decided to use the rose oil and the Bulgarian rose in particular, to make something more attractive and more useful that will appeal to the Chinese audience. But let it remain a surprise for the Chinese and foreign guests of the Shanghai Expo!
I hope that by participating in the Sixth Shanghai Import Expo, we will take the next step and strengthen our cooperation with Chinese partners, with various firms and companies, and conclude new contracts and agreements.
C. The Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made a great contribution to increasing the interest of Chinese tourists to Bulgaria and vice versa. Tell us more about this project?
A. A few months ago, the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in an exhibition related to tourism opportunities between Bulgaria and China in the city of Ningbo. I would also like to point out the results of our participation then – we already have several groups of tourists from China who visit not only Bulgaria, but also the Balkan region – Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, but for the first time actually a Bulgarian company organizes these excursions, since until now such were initiated and organized by companies of other countries, for example Albanian. So, I think that we have made quite a lot of progress in this direction – the organization of Chinese groups of tourists for a tour of several countries of the Balkan region, of course also Bulgaria.
Q. What other events do you envisage and what participations will the Bulgarian-Chinese Palace led by you have after the exhibition in Shanghai?
A. Immediately after the participation of the palace in the Sixth Shanghai International Import Expo, an exhibition will be held in Nanjing from November 10 to 15, which is organized by several companies that we visited in Ningbo. Then we united around the decision to hold a joint expo, during which we would show some new products.
Then – from November 15 to 19, a delegation of Bulgarian companies will participate in the China high-tech expo – an exhibition for high technologies, in Shenzhen. Our Chamber, together with representatives of the European Commission, as well as several organizations from other countries, will try to present some of the best enterprises from Bulgaria. Our goal is to show the possibilities of Bulgarian companies in the field of high technologies, so that we can attract Chinese investments and conclude cooperation agreements.
It is also expected that the new Bulgarian ambassador will arrive in Beijing at the end of this month, who has very good ideas, has a long experience in diplomatic activity and we hope, indeed, together with our proposals for the various activities, as well as those of the Bulgarian embassy to achieve wider cooperation with new Chinese companies and organizations in trade and investment partnership. China is a big country, and we need it, and indeed our intentions are to work seriously and cooperate with Chinese companies. We all have already witnessed the fact that China is increasingly opening up to other countries and the opportunities there are huge and we must take advantage of them!
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