The 5th China-CEEC (Cangzhou) SME Cooperation Forum, attended by Mr. Ivaylo Iordanov, Chargé d’Affairs a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beijing, was held in Cangzhou, Hebei province, from 12 to 14 November 2023. The event was hosted by Mr. Wang Zhengpu, Governor of Hebei Provincial Government, with guests of honor Mr. Deng Li, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Xu Xiaolan, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology. Georgia was present as an observer at the Forum for the first time.

On behalf of the Bulgarian business present was Mr. Lachezar Dinev, President of the Bulgarian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI).

During the Forum, the Chargé d’Affairs a.i., Mr. Ivaylo Iordanov, held talks with the Governor of Hebei Provincial Government, Deputy-governor Hu Qisheng, Mayor of Cangzhou Xiang Hui and Vice minister of industry and information technology. In his remarks he placed an emphasis on promoting the Bulgarian sector, in the field of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Bulgaria as an attractive investment destination for Chinese business. This was also the key message in his speech, entitled “Joining hands to create a better future for cooperation between SMEs in China and Bulgaria”, delivered at the opening ceremony of the Forum.