- The traditional format attracted over 250 people – members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, other business representatives, diplomats, and members of the media.
- The event highlighted a number of key areas among the Chamber’s many priorities: the investment climate and business environment, the rule of law and digitalization, healthcare and energy, innovation and education, and more.
Sofia, September 21, 2026 – Today, the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham) hosted a business breakfast with Prime Minister Rumen Radev and members of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria. The event highlighted a number of key areas among the Chamber’s many priorities: the investment climate and business environment, the rule of law and digitalization, healthcare and energy, innovation and education, and others.
Participating in the Chamber’s traditional format for institutional dialogue were Alexander Pulev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment, and Industry; Ivan Vassilev, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation; Nikolay Naydenov, Minister of Justice; Lyubomira Gancheva, Deputy Minister of Energy; and Hristo Polendakov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; as well as nearly the entire Chamber Board, led by Tomi Ver Elst, President, Stanislava Taneva, First Vice President; Borislav Dimitrov, Second Vice President; and Ivan Mihaylov, Chief Executive Officer.
Ivan Mihaylov, AmCham: We Aim to Further Strengthen the Existing Institutional Dialogue with the Government
“Our business breakfasts with the Bulgarian government have always been events where the business community looks forward to hearing about the executive branch’s plans for Bulgaria’s economic development through policies and measures that will drive sustainable growth and social justice. “I would like to thank Prime Minister Rumen Radev for accepting our invitation and engaging in a discussion with our members today. This sends a clear signal to the business community in Bulgaria regarding the government’s strategic plans to steer the Bulgarian economy and society through these challenging years over the course of a full term,” – said Ivan Mihaylov at the opening of the event.
“We, as a country and a society, face the big question: what lies ahead for Bulgaria as an independent country, as a member state of the EU and NATO, a country with enormous potential in terms of industrial maturity, entrepreneurship, ideas and talent, and natural resources that, in addition to tourism, can also provide energy and raw material independence,” he added.
You can read Mr. Mihaylov’s full speech from the following link.
Tommy Ver Elst, AmCham Bulgaria: Bulgaria Has the Potential of Its People, Industry, and Resources
“Bulgaria has the potential of its people from all five generations who are active in the labor market today. The country has the resources to be, if not completely energy-independent, then at least energy-autonomous; to produce high-value-added products and services as part of global supply chains; and to be sustainable, relying on innovation, the smart use of still-available EU funds, and active cooperation with capital markets to achieve sustainable growth,” said Tomi Ver Elst, president of AmCham.
“The existence of a government with a parliamentary majority – something that hasn’t happened in decades – sends a very strong signal to citizens, investors, and our partners that the long-awaited and necessary reforms in many sectors will be implemented,” he added.
You can read Mr. Vel Elst’s full speech from the following link.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated during the meeting:
“For us, the United States is a key partner, and last year alone our bilateral trade grew by over 40%. Based on our strategic partnership, Bulgaria’s political stability, our government’s long-term vision, and our commitment to deepening and expanding our relations with the United States, we can achieve a breakthrough in new areas of economic cooperation in the field of cutting-edge technologies, alongside established areas of collaboration such as defense, security, and energy. It is time for American investments to come to Bulgaria in the fields of artificial intelligence facilities, high-capacity data centers, robotics, mechatronics, and semiconductors. We have all the prerequisites to make this happen.
We have set ourselves the goal of developing Bulgaria as a democratic European nation, with a sustainable social and economic development model and a high quality of life. To achieve this, we are relying on two pillars: dismantling the oligarchic model, fighting corruption, and accelerating economic development. The battle is tough, but we are fighting it tenaciously.”
You can read Mr. Radev’s full speech in Bulgarian from the following link.
Topics Discussed at the Meeting
Payments Europe – Bulgaria Country Report 2026
At the Business Breakfast, Payments Europe had the opportunity to share their country report for Bulgaria for 2026.
The meeting addressed a number of economic and geopolitical issues. It began by addressing political stability as a prerequisite for economic development; following the decisive victory in the recent elections, the expectations of businesses and citizens are now focused on the implementation of predictable rules, functioning institutions, and the actual fulfillment of the goals set out in the Government’s Management Program. The business community learned more about the changes that will irreversibly transform Bulgaria into a more competitive and preferred destination for international investment.
The Prime Minister also addressed the economic dimension of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, including the specific initiatives the government will implement to attract new U.S. investment and to strengthen the presence of Bulgarian companies in the U.S. market.
Healthcare, Long-Term Planning, and Well-Being
Emphasis was placed on the well-being of citizens, noting that Bulgaria’s healthcare system must transition to a more efficient and sustainable model. The current approach to planning and financing the sector is based on a one-year budget. Therefore, expectations are that the focus will shift toward establishing a long-term model for healthcare planning and financing that ensures transparency, predictability, clear roles and responsibilities among institutions, so that public funds become a long-term investment in health, with the support of the European Technical Assistance Instrument.
Economy and Competitiveness
Prime Minister and Minister Al. Pulev answered questions about the government’s plans for the 2027 Budget and the Legislative Program to achieve Bulgaria’s macroeconomic goals: bringing the budget deficit and inflation under control; retaining investors and enhancing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy; competing for talent and markets.
Deputy Prime Minister Pulev outlined the measures that are crucial for positioning Bulgaria amid the restructuring of supply chains, accelerated industrial policies in the U.S. and Europe, and intensified competition for capital. The discussion outlined the specific position Bulgaria intends to take, including in strategic sectors, in order to assume the role of a regional leader.
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