Export > Interview

Antonio Bonet: 26.32% of Bulgaria's total exports to Spain are cereals, mainly wheat and corn

In a series of interviews, exporter.bg - Bulgaria's export site, will present the activities of the Confederation of International Trading Houses Associations (CITHA) and its members - an organization founded as far back as 1956.

Mr. President, would you introduce your association?

- The Spanish Exporters and Investors Club is a multisectorial, non-profit, independent, business association whose objective is to represent and defend the interests of the members in their international activity.

Since its foundation in 1997, the Club has a consolidated position as a leader of internationalization in Spain and is a recognized representative before the Spanish Administration, as well as before public and private institutions, international organizations, and the media.

Member companies of the Club range from SMEs to multinational companies. They  account for 50% of Spanish foreign direct investment, and their turnover represents around 20% of Spanish GDP.

As a business association, we aim to respond to their needs by promoting networking, the exchange of information and best practices, cooperating with our authorities to improve the business environment for internationalization and releasing publications of their interest, among other activities.

What is your impression of the investment and business environment in Bulgaria? Would companies from your association invest in our country?

- Bulgaria has a very comprehensive legal framework that offers great advantages and investment attractiveness for foreign companies. Nevertheless, I believe that there are still some areas with room for improvement, such as the bureaucracy for establishment in the country, obtaining utilities or the use of local banking institutions.

All in all, I believe that Bulgaria has given great strides forward in the past few years, especially since joining the EU in 2007, leading the way in areas such as foreign investment in Europe in technology outsourcing, and that it will continue to do so in the future.

Which Bulgarian goods would be well received in Western markets, in particular in the country you represent?

- In recent years, Spain's main imports from Bulgaria have centered on cereals (26.32% of total exports), mainly wheat and corn, as well as electrical appliances and equipment (wires and cables), sunflower oil and demijohns (glass jars). I believe that these products will continue to be well received in Spain.

I also believe Bulgaria has a big potential for tourism, given its natural areas of interest, such as beaches and mountains for skiing in winter, as well as its wealth of hot water springs, ideal for spa and wellness centers.

By Dimitar Dzhenev

(Expect interviews with presidents of associations from other CITHA member states who, together with Jan Krückemeyer, visited Bulgaria during the Confederation's annual meeting.)