At the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), a meeting was held between Dr. Haider Haqi Al-Buriyahi – Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Sofia – and the leadership of BIA: Dobri Mitrev, Chairman, Maria Mincheva, Vice-Chair, and Hristina Kasparyan, Head of the Center for Innovation, International Trade, Technological Transformation and Analytics (CINTRA).
The main focus of the discussion was the development and expansion of economic and trade relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of Iraq, as well as the identification of specific sectors with high potential for cooperation.
Dr. Haider Haqi Al-Buriyahi expressed a strong commitment to deepening trade and economic relations with Bulgaria. He emphasized that economic activity across all sectors in Iraq is growing, and the country is seeking new international partners and companies to enter its market.
BIA Chairman Dobri Mitrev briefed the Iraqi diplomat on the Association’s activities and its members. According to him, data on bilateral trade clearly show that it remains limited, and the time has come to restore the traditionally strong economic ties between the two countries.
Chairman Mitrev highlighted Bulgaria’s opportunities in sectors such as electronics, robotics, pharmaceutical production, and food products. Priority areas for activating Bulgarian business include the food industry and construction sector, both of which are well-developed and competitive in Bulgaria.
Dr. Al-Buriyahi noted that Iraq’s trade and economic sector is actively guided by the government, which allocates substantial budgets and signs contracts for the supply of various products. The government manages a large number of factories and plants, some of which are made available to foreign companies. At the same time, the private sector has significantly greater financial capacity and achieves high turnover.
According to Dr. Al-Buriyahi, the Iraqi market has substantial import needs, as the domestic production sector cannot meet growing demand. The country has shown particular interest in importing food and pharmaceuticals, as well as in partnerships in the energy sector, including electricity supply, where Bulgarian producers and suppliers could serve as reliable and close partners.
Dr. Al-Buriyahi also emphasized that the main barriers to more active economic cooperation are misconceptions about Iraq as an unreliable and underdeveloped market. In reality, he stressed, the country has emerged from a difficult period and is rapidly developing, and both Bulgarian and European businesses should increasingly focus on the Middle East.
According to Dobri Mitrev, factors that currently limit Bulgarian entrepreneurs include lack of knowledge of the language and insufficient familiarity with Iraq’s tax and regulatory requirements - areas where institutional cooperation can play a key role.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the significant potential for developing bilateral economic relations and a mutual commitment to continue the dialogue with the goal of achieving tangible results for businesses from both countries.
Members of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) who are interested in opportunities for trade and economic cooperation with Iraq can contact the Center for Innovation, International Trade, Technological Transformation, and Analytics (CINTRA) at BIA for further information and assistance at the following email address: ierc2@bia-bg.com
