Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has said that the Bulgarian government aims to achieve macroeconomic development for the sake of Bulgarian citizens and to make sure that the country is a good and reliable partner for EU Member States and other countries in Europe.

Speaking at a business forum in Zurich, Borisov boasted that Bulgaria had managed to maintain financial stability and low tax rates during the economic crisis, adding that the country had a stable and predictable political environment at present.

He emphasized Bulgaria’s strategic location and presented it as a major transport and transit center in southeastern Europe, according to the government’s press office.

Borisov also drew attention to other advantages such as Bulgaria’s success in the sphere of EU funds absorption and the investment incentives offered by the country.

He noted that Swiss investments of over EUR 1.200 B in Bulgaria over the past 10 years or so, as well as the presence of over 100 Swiss companies in Bulgaria, made the country a stable and reliable partner for Bulgaria’s business sector.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister insisted, however, that there was untapped potential in bilateral trade and in intercompany cooperation.

To illustrate his point about the enhanced bilateral relations, Borisov cited the restart of direct flights between Zurich and Sofia, the participation of Bulgarian companies in the prestigious SWISSTECH expo in Basel, and the increase by over 40% in the number of Swiss tourists visiting Bulgaria over the past year.

Borisov also drew attention to Switzerland’s support for the launch of a project aimed at introducing the dual-track system of vocational education and training in Bulgaria.

He said that the project, financed with CHF 3.5 B for a 5-year period, was aimed at curbing youth unemployment and at implementing deep reform of professional education in Bulgaria.

During the visit, Borisov met with the President of the Government Council, Ernst Stocker,and Government Councillor Markus K?gi.

Borisov paid a working visit to Switzerland as part of a delegation including Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova, Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski, and Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.