APEMETA’s mission paves the way for closer environmental collaboration between Portugal and Bulgaria

From July 19 to 23, the Portuguese Association of Environmental Technology Companies (APEMETA) is conducting an institutional mission to Bulgaria aimed at reinforcing cooperation between the two countries in the environmental sector.

The visit to Sofia is intended to enhance existing partnerships between Bulgarian and Portuguese companies and organisations in the environmental sector and to explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The mission´s focus is to build practical bridges between the two countries´ business ecosystems by mediating technological transfer and the exchange of know-how, experience and contacts, and facilitating the discovery of potential commercial and project partners. These opportunities include the joint coordination and implementation of initiatives, events and international projects.

APEMETA´s objectives

Established in 1989, APEMETA is a private, non-profit business association, aiming to support business activities in the environmental sector and promote the capabilities and solutions of Portuguese environmental companies at both national and international levels.

The current initiative in Sofia is implemented under the work program of AMEX IV – Environment and Exports. It is a collective internationalization project aimed at improving the visibility and international positioning of Portuguese innovations and services in the sector.

The mission is part of the broader efforts of the Portuguese industry association to support enterprises in the sector, encourage international collaboration and develop valuable institutional connections that can serve as a driver for entering new markets and creating potential business prospects.

Valuable partnerships with the Bulgarian business community

The partnerships built through the ongoing mission are intended to create practical links between companies in both countries. They will facilitate access to relevant contacts and market knowledge, the identification of potential business and project partners, the exchange of technologies and expertise, and participation in joint initiatives, events and international projects.

As part of the mission, APEMETA´s Project Manager Rita Silva is holding meetings with Bulgarian sectoral organisations, public bodies, companies, business networks and other stakeholders involved in environmental protection, clean technologies, innovation and sustainable development.

The visit´s programme also includes talks with representatives of the Bulgarian Association of Municipal Environmental Experts (BAMEE), with which APEMETA already has an established partnership. "These meetings will provide an opportunity to review ongoing relations, identify shared priorities and explore new activities involving organisations and companies from both countries", the Portuguese association says.

Promising cooperation with Cleantech Bulgaria

Among the highlights of the delegation´s visit is the signing of a cooperation agreement between APEMETA and the Bulgarian clean technology and sustainable innovation network Cleantech Bulgaria. The agreement will establish a framework for closer institutional and technological collaboration, as well as the development of joint initiatives connecting the Bulgarian and Portuguese value chains in the environmental field.

"International partnerships are most valuable when they translate into useful channels for companies. By strengthening our relationship with established partners and bringing new organisations into APEMETA’s cooperation network, we are creating points of contact that can help Portuguese and Bulgarian companies identify expertise, partners and concrete opportunities for collaboration", Rita Silva, Project Manager at APEMETA, says.

Meeting requests may be submitted to [email protected].