On March 26th, 2026, the international conference “Explore U.S.,” organized jointly by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Sofia.
The international conference was opened by Irena Mladenova, Acting Minister of Innovation and Growth, and Krasimir Piperkov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry. The event was hosted by Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), and Ivan Mihaylov, CEO of AmCham Bulgaria.
The transatlantic economy is valued at $10 trillion – the economic relationship between Europe and the United States. This was highlighted by Ivan Mihaylov of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. The figure mentioned by Ivan Mihaylov is contained in the 23rd edition of the “Transatlantic Economy 2026” report, released last week in Brussels and prepared by the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and the Transatlantic Leaders Network. According to Mihaylov, with the event, the organizers aim to encourage entrepreneurs to become part of this transatlantic economy.
Guests at the opening session included Deliana Ivanova, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank, and Martin McDowell, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria.
“We welcome you and are open to doing business together.” This is how Martin McDowell, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, addressed the representatives of Bulgarian companies in attendance at the third “Explore U.S.” international conference. “I hope we can help investors find the right locations and solutions. Find the right partner and the right deal,”.
According to McDowell, there are many opportunities available in the various states. “Building on the ideals upon which our nation was founded, we are seeking new opportunities,” said the ambassador, linking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 2026 with the potential for deepening the country’s trade and economic ties with Bulgaria.
The diplomat used today’s conference to announce the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Forum in Maryland this May. “Last year, our embassy’s commercial section organized the first large-scale delegation from Bulgaria to the investment forum. It included representatives from companies in the software sector, the defense industry, logistics, and smart city technologies,” he noted.
During the conference, practical advice was presented by experienced experts in retail, digital solutions and innovation, and investments in commercial areas in the U.S., and there was also a session on U.S. visas.
Key topics at the conference included “Business Opportunities When Entering the U.S. Market,” “Investing in the U.S.: The SelectUSA Program,” “From Production Line to Shelf in the U.S. – Supply Chains, Distribution Channels, and Market Presence,” Connectivity,” “Business Visas for the U.S.,” and others.
As of posting, the conference is still ongoing. More information and materials can be expected after the conclusion of the conference.
Materials from the Conference
