Thessaloniki International Fair 2025

Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hosted One of the Most Significant Economic and Political Events Dedicated to Bulgaria’s Accession to the Eurozone

The Thessaloniki International Fair became a strategic platform for institutional dialogue, investment, and the advancement of Bulgarian-Greek economic cooperation

The Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BHCCI), in strategic partnership with Green Transition Forum and Dir.bg, organized within the framework of the Thessaloniki International Fair 06-14.09.2025  one of the most significant economic and political events dedicated to the Republic of Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone.

The forum brought together senior representatives of the governments of Bulgaria and Greece, central banks, financial institutions, international companies, investors, academic leaders, business organizations, and members of the Bulgarian-Greek business community. In terms of scale, institutional representation and strategic relevance, the event established itself as one of the leading international platforms for economic dialogue and cooperation in Southeast Europe.

The Bulgarian Pavilion, jointly organized by the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Green Transition Forum, became a focal point for high-level political meetings, economic discussions, thematic panels, government-to-government (G2G) meetings, business-to-business (B2B) networking, company presentations and institutional dialogue throughout the exhibition.

A special recognition of the Chamber’s role and growing authority was the visit of the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic to the Bulgarian Pavilion. During the visit, he was introduced to the Chamber’s initiatives, met representatives of the Bulgarian and Greek business communities and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation in the context of European integration and Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone.

Among the distinguished participants were Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria; Metodi Metodiev, Deputy Minister of Finance; Martin Danovsky, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth; Iva Petrova, Deputy Minister of Energy; Lyuben Nanov, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications; Panagiotis Theodorikakos, Minister of Development of the Hellenic Republic; Konstantinos Gioulekas, Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for the regions of Macedonia and Thrace; and Konstantinos Kyranakis, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.

Special addresses were delivered by Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece, and Anastasios Tzikas, President of HELEXPO, further highlighting the institutional significance of the forum.

The event also brought together the Governors of the Bulgarian National Bank and the Bank of Greece, representatives of UniCredit Bulbank, the Bulgarian Development Bank, international financial institutions, investors and executives from leading Bulgarian and Greek companies.

The central theme of the forum was Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone as a historic milestone that creates new opportunities for economic growth, increased investment activity, financial stability and deeper integration within the European economic framework.

During the discussions, Deputy Minister of Finance Metodi Metodiev presented Bulgaria’s progress in the preparations for the introduction of the euro and outlined the benefits of deeper European integration. Participants also explored issues related to transport connectivity, regional development, industrial policy, innovation, energy transition and emerging investment opportunities across Southeast Europe.

Particular attention was given to discussions on digital transformation, smart energy systems, artificial intelligence, microelectronics, space technologies and industrial innovation. Deputy Minister Martin Danovsky emphasized the need for Bulgaria and Greece to position themselves as a common investment region capable of attracting high-value strategic investments and advanced technological industries that will shape the economic growth of the next decade.

Government-to-government (G2G) meetings constituted another important pillar of the programme, providing an opportunity for Bulgarian and Greek officials to discuss concrete initiatives aimed at further strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Numerous B2B meetings between business representatives also took place, creating favourable conditions for new partnerships and future joint investment projects.

Continuing a long-established tradition, the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry once again provided its members with the opportunity to present their companies, products and services at the Bulgarian Pavilion free of charge. This initiative has become a hallmark of the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the international visibility and expansion of Bulgarian and Greek businesses.

An important contribution to the successful implementation of the official programme was made by the professional simultaneous interpretation provided in Bulgarian and Greek by philologist Rayna Diamandieva. Her exceptional expertise ensured seamless communication during official speeches, bilateral meetings and government discussions, facilitating a spirit of trust, good neighbourliness and constructive cooperation.

The event received extensive media coverage. Dir.bg served as the strategic media partner in Bulgaria, while journalist Dimitrios Diamandidis provided media coverage from Greece. The official photographic documentation of the forum was carried out by Alexander Naydenov, who captured the key moments of the event and its institutional and business meetings.

The Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry extends its sincere gratitude to Green Transition Forum, Dir.bg, HELEXPO, all institutional partners, speakers, participating companies and guests, as well as to Freshko, whose natural juices and refreshments contributed to the welcoming atmosphere of the Bulgarian Pavilion.

The success of the forum once again demonstrated that Bulgaria and Greece are not only neighbouring countries, but strategic partners with a shared vision for the sustainable development and prosperity of Southeast Europe. In the context of Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone, bilateral economic cooperation is entering a new phase of opportunity and integration, while the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry continues to fulfil its mission as a bridge between institutions, businesses and society, promoting investment, innovation, sustainable growth and stronger European cooperation between the two countries.