Bulgaria and Uganda have the potential to develop agricultural trade relations. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Plamen Abrovsky, during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Bulgaria, H.E. Stephen Mubiru, and the Honorary Consul, Eng. Ivaylo Yotov. They discussed opportunities for cooperation and commodity exchange. Minister Abrovsky said the Ministry's primary goal and policy is to support expanding economic cooperation with other countries and to ensure better market access for producers. "Bulgaria is a major consumer of coffee, which is currently an expensive commodity for consumers. Through direct trade relations, without the involvement of multiple intermediaries, the price could be lower," Minister Abrovsky pointed out. He noted that similar opportunities also exist in the fruit trade.
Among the topics discussed was the development of so-called "smart agriculture." Minister Abrovsky emphasized that Bulgaria has significant experience implementing agricultural innovations and expressed readiness to exchange knowledge and best practices with Uganda. According to him, close ties can be established between Bulgarian agrarian universities and corresponding educational institutions in Uganda. He noted an opportunity for students from Uganda to study in Bulgaria.
During the meeting, the participants discussed holding a bilateral business forum in Sofia, which would bring together business and institutional representatives from both countries, as well as the possibility of signing a memorandum of cooperation.
H.E. Stephen Mubiru said Uganda is interested in modernizing its agricultural sector and increasing trade in agricultural products. He expressed a desire for Uganda to expand access to its agricultural products in the Bulgarian market and to draw on Bulgaria's experience in developing the agricultural sector.