US chamber asks president, minister why it is excluded from Three Seas (Updated)

KIRIL PETKOV

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The American-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce in Washington is registered in Washington, according to US law. The mission and goals of the organization are closely related to the opening of opportunities for better trade cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States. The team of the Chamber is strongly committed to supporting various companies from both countries, and its focus is entirely on economic development and growth.

An important point for the organization is also the active involvement and support of the international initiative “Three Seas”. Because we believe that such programs will significantly contribute to the economic rapprochement of the two countries. We believe that the inclusion of non-governmental organizations registered and operating in the United States is a guarantee of fairness of processes and prevention of corruption models in Bulgaria.

The international team that the Chamber has would be extremely useful for Bulgaria for its successful participation and performance in the “Three Seas” initiative. From this point of view, the fact that the American-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce is completely isolated by the Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Economy remains completely inexplicable for us. We strongly hope that this is not an attempt to silence the voice of that part of the non-governmental sector that insists on honesty and integrity in the implementation of international projects.

We find it extremely unacceptable to ignore our opinion and suggestions, especially in view of the fact that our presence in organized forums and events would be a good signal to investors and society.

We insist on an explanation as to why the American-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce is excluded from the activities organized by the Government and the Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria. We demand that we be given guarantees that this is not an attempt to cover up corruption, and that the Chamber has not been deliberately neglected due to administrative violations or personal and personal motives.

The presidency and the Department of Economy responded to a letter from the American-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce in the United States that the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria was involved in the project. Every business is welcome, no matter where it is registered, they write. Here is the full text of the position sent to the media:

The Presidential Institution, the Ministry of Economy and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria are partners in the organization of the Summit and Business Forum within the Three Seas Initiative, which Sofia will host on July 8 and 9 this year.

The joint projects in “Three Seas” are open to business, regardless of the country in which it is registered, and their implementation requires ideas and investments, not manipulative suggestions.

The published position on the website www.24chasa.bg and in other media has nothing to do with the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria and its partner network.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria clarifies that our support for BMI dates back to 2018, with the joint declaration of the American Chambers, whose countries are part of the Three Seas Initiative. In the household of Bulgaria in 2021 we are a co-organizer of the business forum, along with the Ministry of Economy, the Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Bulgarian Development Bank, is supplemented in the position.

There is an open registration link on the website of the Ministry of Economy, where anyone can join the discussions on the initiative.

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