Bulgaria Encourages Indonesian Investment Ahead of CEPA Implementation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria urges increased investment and trade with Indonesia ahead of the implementation of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Indonesia. It is known as the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Counselor and Head of the Economic Office of the Embassy of Bulgaria, Daniel Dobrev, said a business meeting held as part of the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Poulev to Jakarta from September 12–14, 2026, provided an opportunity to bring together business communities from both countries and identify potential areas of cooperation in trade and investment.

"And this is the right opportunity now because Indonesia is a rising star in Bulgaria. Because it's a very good business climate here and we have to find suitable investors and investment niches that we have to invest, that we can invest too," Daniel told RRI Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

He said the meeting was attended by Indonesian business representatives from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), as well as companies including Pelindo, Krakatau, PTPN, and Jababeka Group.

Daniel said the implementation of CEPA in early 2027 would open up more opportunities for businesses in Indonesia and Bulgaria to expand trade and strengthen business ties between the two countries.

"And this agreement is entering in force on the 1st of January 2027. So, we have to be prepared about this because this agreement gives a lot of opportunity for the business entities, for the people at home," he said.

Bulgaria is also offering various investment opportunities to Indonesian companies, including relatively low operating costs and a flat corporate income tax rate of 10 percent.

Daniel said Indonesian investment in Bulgaria could serve as an entry point for Indonesian companies seeking to expand their businesses into the European market.

"So, one Indonesian investment will be good like a door, like a hub for investment in Europe. Because Bulgaria is a part of Europe, part of Schengen and part of Eurozone," he conveyed.

In addition, Daniel expressed hope that the business meeting would generate concrete ideas and help increase investment and trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria.

"And hopefully, many people came and we exchanged a lot of ideas. And Minister Poulev is very open-minded and we strive to get some investments and to speed up the trade turnover between two countries," he said.