The Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer held a meeting in Sofia Tech Park with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is visiting the country. The two discussed opportunities for deepening bilateral relations in the field of innovation, digitalization and investment in high-tech industries.
Lorer and Rutte talked about cooperation between start-ups, small and medium-sized companies, high value-added investments, development, infrastructure connectivity, artificial intelligence and promoting the link between universities and business.
They also discussed synergies in supercomputing, hydrogen, batteries, the green economy and smart agriculture.
Minister Lorer pointed out that the Bulgarian government is focusing on innovation and boosting economic growth, as well as on fighting corruption and respecting the rule of law to improve the business environment and investment climate in Bulgaria.
“With the new approach, we have a multitude of business opportunities to offer Dutch investors in various technology areas,” stressed Lorer. “I hope that as a follow-up to this visit, together with the Netherlands, we can identify a number of areas and develop concrete actions related to innovation and high-tech industries, as well as for bilateral business forums,” the minister stressed.
In Sofia Tech Park, the Dutch Prime Minister got acquainted with some of the technological and innovation projects in Bulgaria. Rutte toured the supercomputer, which is located on the territory of the Park and got acquainted with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bulgaria.
Dutch companies are among the largest foreign direct investors in Bulgaria, mainly in manufacturing and IT services.
The meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Desislava Boneva.
