PM Kiril Petkov discussed strengthening cooperation with Amazon and Google

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov discussed the potential for strengthening cooperation with Amazon and Google during his meetings on April 11 with the representatives of the two technology companies.

The opportunities for Bulgaria to become a logistics and digital hub for Central and Eastern Europe were discussed during the talks with the Amazon representatives, the government press office said.

At the meeting with Google representatives, the possibility of establishing a joint government working group with the company was discussed, the aim of which is to prepare proposals for new projects in Bulgaria related to digital transformation, cloud technologies and e-government. This will identify next steps for cooperation and investment.

Prime Minister Petkov held talks with Isabella Groegor-Cechowicz, Vice President of Sales EMEA Amazon, as well as with Google representatives Slav Petrov and Igor Zgrablic. The meetings were also attended by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Daniel Lorer.

The Prime Minister and Amazon and Google representatives discussed the new Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), which will be launched with the support of the Bulgarian state, technology giants and local businesses.

The Prime Minister stressed that the government was open to other joint projects with high added value. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov pointed to the establishment of a regional data centre in Bulgaria as a good prospect for potential cooperation with Amazon.

Isabella Groegor-Cechowicz also pointed out that the investment in INSAIT is a first step and reveals potential for wider cooperation.

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At the meetings with the representatives of the two companies, there were also talks about cooperation in the fields of digitalization, cybersecurity, biotechnology and aerospace.