Chinese businessmen have suggested that Bulgaria should increase the marketing and advertising of its goods in China, in order to boost the consumers' interest.

The suggestion was made by Wan Jifei, the Chair of the China International Trade Promotion Committee.

He led a delegation of 22 Chinese companies, which took part Monday in a joint forum with Bulgarian companies organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

According to Jifei, Bulgarian producers should participate in exhibitions and fairs in order to popularize their products in the People's Republic. He also pointed out the opportunity of organizing a joint project for advertising between BCCI and the Chinese institution.

“Bulgaria is the most important country in the Balkans, and one of the markets with greatest potential in Central and Eastern Europe. One of the major reasons for the interest of Chinese companies in Bulgaria is the fact that with its good geographic location it can turn into a door to Europe and its markets,” Jifei declared.

Bulgaria's Economy Minister, Traicho Traikov, has stated that there is an opportunity for traditional Bulgarian products, like yogurt, wine and essential oils to be promoted in China.

"However, we owe the business. We need to provide a better infrastructure and logistics,"Traikov said.

He has reiterated the government's intention to turn Bulgaria into "the EU door for Chinese imports."

Chinese companies have participated in several business forums with Bulgaria in the last few months. Traikov, as well as Bulgaria's Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, visited China, in order to present the opportunities for investment in Bulgaria.

So far, the only specific result of the negotiations between the two countries is the agreement for creation of a joint company to operate the future business zone to be built in Bozhurishte, near Sofia.

According to information from the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, the Bozhurishte project has an area of about 500 acres and close to 1/3 of them will be allocated to Chinese companies.

Minsiter Traikov has stated that Chinese companies are interested in investing in the fields of electronics, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, engineering and construction materials.

Bulgaria's Deputy Economy Minister, Evgeni Angelov, has stated that China also wanted to invest in the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant, Hemus Highway and in Kozloduy NPP.

Traikov has explained that the investment model has become more transparent.

"The model includes funding from the China Development Bank and from the US Eximbank to companies, which want to invest in Bulgaria," he said.

In 2010, the trade between Bulgaria and the People's Republic of China started growing again, with a total value of USD 653 M in January-August 2010, a 36% increase year-on-year, according to the China International Trade Promotion Committee. According to data of the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, Bulgaria's exports to China grew by 252.3%, year-on-year.

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