…as trade volume between Nigeria and Bulgaria soar by 70 per cent
The Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Yanko Yordanov, has described Nigeria as more than just the giant of Africa, but a nation with many giants in wealth of culture and natural heritage, and richness of traditions that will be of global recognition.
The Ambassador stated this when during an interview session with diplomatic journalists in Abuja on Monday as he wraps up his duty in Nigeria, adding that the wealth of culture and heritage opportunities in Nigeria would make the sector of the economy a force to reckoned with.
” I have been to so many places in Nigeria, I have been to 22 out of 36 states and I can easily say that Nigeria has a lot to offer in terms of experiencing a cultural wealth and richness of traditions what I can tell you definitely is that this is a place where you have a uniqueness of opportunities to show to tourists and including diplomats that Nigeria is more than just the giant of Africa.
“This is just actually a place where there are many giants in terms of culture, in terms of heritage and I’m sure that this richness of traditions will be soon recognized at the global level as one of the leading forces even for your economy.
” So to tell the truth, to me, Nigeria is, it will not be an over-exaggeration if I say that I fell in love with Nigeria so going back to Bulgaria is not an easy process for me and I will always return to your country from time to time in my private capacity,” said Yordanov.
Speaking on the strength of Nigerian-Bulgarian bilateral relationship, the Ambassador noted that when compared to five years ago, the trade relations between the two countries have soar higher than it use to be, with emphasis on SMEs.
According to him, a lot of achievements can be mentioned without reputation in the renewed spirit of cooperation between the two countries which have been deepened in the areasnof agriculture, high tech, sports, among several others, resulting in an impressive 70 percent growth in trade.
“In the course of the past four years, we have achieved a lot, and it is very difficult to single out only one achievement, but maybe this this is the renewed spirit of cooperation between Bulgaria and Nigeria.
“We finally found a very good ground on a common interest which is developed trade and business relationship and also deepening our cooperation in the agriculture, in the high-tech and in the sport. Of course when it comes to the political cooperation and relationship it has been also very well enhanced and I’m very happy that we’ve signed a lot of agreements both between the governments of Bulgaria and Nigeria and between the business communities of both countries.
“So we are registering a very good trade turnout for the past year that is of an impressive 70 per cent growth comparing to five years ago. We are also registering an increase of Nigerian students in Bulgaria, and we are also seeing that all the comprehensive efforts coming out from the different sectors from both nations are now coming to fruition.
“So singling out just the one achievement I would say this is the renewed cooperation in many areas where our partnership was famous in just before 20 years ago but now it is really renewed and we see a lot of openings which I’m sure will continue build on in the next stage.”
Speaking on strengthening future bilateral ties between Nigeria and Bulgaria, the Ambassador stressed that the two countries can build further on landmark activity of Bulgaria being unfolded on Nigerian ground such as the EU vaccine production program where other African countries who were selected to be part. This he said has provided Nigerian government the opportunity to top EU priorities in terms of local production of vaccine.
“The cooperation between Bulgaria and Nigeria is a cooperation between equals. So this is based on mutual interest in developing the business cooperation that enhances and gives more opportunities for people-to-people contact and that benefits both nations. This is why I’ve already mentioned a few of the projects that we have already implemented in Nigeria with the support of both governments, and I’m sure that this will continue further. What we definitely see is that Nigeria is our priority trade partner.”
