New opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey in the field of innovation, technology, artificial intelligence and science were discussed at a bilateral meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev and Minister of Industry and Technology of Turkey Mehmet Fatih Kaçer in Istanbul. The two outlined measures aimed at increasing mutual investments, scientific research, digitalization and innovative projects. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Krasimir Yakimov and the Consul General of Bulgaria in Istanbul Vasil Valchev.
Later, the Deputy Prime Minister participated in a round table on bilateral economic relations, organized by the Council for Foreign Economic Relations of Turkey (DEİK). With the Chairman of DEİK Nail Olpak, they discussed attracting investments in the field of high technologies and strengthening bilateral trade relations. On the topic of personnel in the industry, Donchev emphasized that it is of particular importance for the visibility of the sector, for young people to choose an engineering specialty and to be well informed about the good development opportunities it provides.
Within the framework of the one-day visa in Turkey, Donchev also visited Smart Holding, owner of Smart Solar Technologies. The company is among the key investors in Bulgaria. Their priority investment project is certified under the Investment Promotion Act. It will be implemented in the village of Elenino, Stara Zagora municipality and provides for the construction of a new plant for the production of solar panels and cells. It is expected to create over 800 jobs in the region. At the meeting, the company's management presented their project and future investment plans.
The Minister of Innovation and Growth also got acquainted with the latest initiatives and projects of Technopark “Istanbul“. During his visit there, the possibilities for partnership with Sofia Tech Park were discussed. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this year the Discoverer+ supercomputer at STP was upgraded. He emphasized the development of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology INSAIT and the upcoming AI factory BRAIN++ in Sofia, which will be one of the six new ones in the EU.
Within the framework of the Deputy Prime Minister's visit to Turkey, Deputy Minister Krasimir Yakimov presented Bulgaria's technological progress at a business forum organized by the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BULTISAD) and the Turkish Exporters' Association (TİM). He informed Bulgarian and Turkish companies about the latest measures aimed at improving the business environment in our country. At the event on trade relations as areas of mutual interest, Yakimov highlighted high-tech sectors, biotechnology, the fintech industry, the green economy, the automotive industry, etc. He added more about the latest digital platform of the BAI for investors, the development of industrial zones and legislative changes aimed at improving the investment process.