Bulgaria–Canada relations

Bulgarian-Canada relations

Bulgaria	Canada

Interstate relations between Bulgaria and Canada were established in 1966. Both countries are members of NATO.

Overview

Embassy of Bulgaria in Ottawa

Canada's Ambassador in Bucharest is accredited to Bulgaria, while an Honorary Consulate in Sofia assists Canadian interests in Bulgaria.^[1] Bulgaria has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.^[2][3] Bulgarian-born Canadian businessman, construction magnate and philanthropist Ignat Kaneff was the Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Canada.^[4]

There is increasing trade and investment, effective military and security cooperation, and growing academic and cultural relations between the two countries.^[5]

Canada's Honorary Consul in Sofia plays an active role in fostering political, commercial and cultural relations between Canada and Bulgaria. His office offers consular support to Canadian citizens as well as Trade Commissioner Services and support in Bulgaria.^[5]

Diaspora

More than 30,000 Canadians of Bulgarian origin live in Canada. Approximately 1,000 Canadians live permanently in Bulgaria.^[5]

Tourism

Up to 15,000 Canadians visited Bulgaria in 2011.^[5]

Economic relations

Bulgaria is one of Canada's largest merchandise trade partners in South East Europe with bilateral trade reaching C$534 million in 2023, comprising exports of Canadian merchandise to Bulgaria of $220 million and merchandise imports from Bulgaria of $315 million.^[6] Canadian companies are important to Bulgaria's mining industry and are showing interest in the oil and gas sector in both onshore and offshore exploration. Business opportunities for Canadian companies exist in Bulgaria in telecommunications, airport services, electrical generation and agriculture.^[5]

Cultural relations

In 2024, the Canadian province of British Columbia announced May 24 as Bulgarian Cultural Heritage Day.^[7]

Bilateral treaties and agreements

• Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, which was signed on March 3, 1999.^[8]

See also

• Foreign relations of Bulgaria
• Foreign relations of Canada
• Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

References

1. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/romania-roumanie/offices-bureaux/consulate_sofia_consulat.aspx Office of the Honorary Consul of Canada to Bulgaria in Sofia
2. Bulgarian embassy in Ottawa Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
3. "BG Consultores". www.bgconsultor.com. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
4. Игнат Канев: Дарих 2000 долара за болница и изведнъж станах "някой", в-к "24 часа", 15.10.2012 Archived 2013-11-06 at the Wayback Machine
5. http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/romania-roumanie/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_bulgaria-bulgarie.aspx?lang=eng Canada-Bulgaria Relations
6. "Canada-Bulgaria relations". 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
7. Kolev, Joan (2024-05-23). "Bulgaria has its own Cultural Heritage Day in the Canadian province of British Columbia". Radio Bulgaria. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
8. http://www.fin.gc.ca/treaties-conventions/in_force--eng.asp Archived 2020-01-07 at the Wayback Machine Tax Treaties In Force