Today, we had the honour of participating in the BULGARIA Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchange Conference, held at the China Cultural Center — an event that brought together institutions, businesses, academic organizations, and international partners with a shared goal: building sustainable economic and technological bridges between Bulgaria and China.
The conference was attended by business representatives from Sichuan Province, as well as delegations from the Silk Road City Alliance, the Beijing Belt & Road Cooperation Association, and the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA).
The official part of the programme included remarks by:
- Liu Jie, Vice Chairperson of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges and Chairperson of the Sichuan NGO Network for International Exchanges.
- Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency.
- Mr. Ivanov, Executive Director of the InvestBulgaria Agency.
- Mr. Yulian Balchev, Secretary General of the InvestBulgaria Agency.
- Kong Linyu, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria.
- Desislava Doneva, Chairperson of the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber for Industrial Development (BCCID).
- Todor Ivandjikov, President of BAIA – the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association.
- Prof. Nako Stefanov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
On behalf of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association, Mr. Todor Ivandjikov highlighted several key points:
- Bulgaria has the potential to become a hub of the new low-altitude economy, where aviation, drone technologies, logistics, medical deliveries, and autonomous systems will play an increasingly important role.
- Small airports, which are often underestimated, can become drivers of economic revitalization, innovation, and regional development.
- Education and workforce training are the foundation of sustainable growth. That is why BAIA is working to introduce new educational programmes — from aviation engineering to drone operators and specialized professions that are already part of the global technological landscape.
- Young people are at the heart of our vision, because every flight begins with a dream. That is why we are developing mentoring programmes, educational initiatives, and partnerships with schools, universities, and vocational training centres.
- The state and industry must work together. Our cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is constructive and focused on modernizing legislation and regulations, including the forthcoming new Transport Act and the national framework for training and certification in the drone sector.
We also emphasized something even more important:
The future does not belong to those who wait — but to those who build.
Events such as today’s are an essential platform for the exchange of ideas, culture, visions, and opportunities.
They demonstrate that Bulgaria and China can develop meaningful partnerships in the fields of aviation, technology, innovation, education, and industrial development.
This is not the end — it is the beginning of a long-term path forward.
We thank all participants for their respect, professionalism, and willingness to build a future in which technology, culture, and people connect countries rather than divide them.
