SOFIA – Bulgaria is strengthening its partnership with the United Arab Emirates as both countries expand cooperation in innovation, artificial intelligence, and investment, Bulgarian Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ivan Vasilev said during the Bulgaria–UAE Business Forum in Sofia.
The forum, organized by the Bulgarian Business Council in Dubai under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Bulgaria, brought together government officials, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders to explore new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Minister Vasilev described the UAE as one of Bulgaria’s most important strategic partners in the Middle East, highlighting the growing potential for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation, venture capital, and advanced technologies.
“The relationship between Bulgaria and the UAE is built on a shared ambition to become leaders in innovation,” Vasilev said, emphasizing that stronger partnerships will help attract investment, encourage knowledge exchange, and create new opportunities for startups and technology companies in both countries.
The minister’s remarks came on the same day he unveiled one of Bulgaria’s most ambitious digital governance initiatives—the country’s first informal advisory council composed entirely of AI-powered robots.
During the international Webit 2026 conference in Sofia, Vasilev invited the humanoid robot Robert to become the first member of the council. Robert accepted the invitation, describing artificial intelligence and robotics as a once-in-a-century opportunity for Bulgaria to strengthen its global competitiveness.
The new advisory council is intended to provide strategic analysis, explore long-term policy challenges, and offer additional perspectives on technological development. The Ministry stressed that the council will have no executive powers and that all government decisions will remain the responsibility of elected officials and public institutions.
“We are starting with Robert, but I want this council to grow,” Vasilev said, announcing that additional AI systems will be invited to contribute to the ministry’s long-term vision.
The initiative reflects Bulgaria’s ambition to become a regional innovation hub while deepening partnerships with countries at the forefront of technological development, including the United Arab Emirates.
Over recent years, UAE–Bulgaria relations have expanded beyond traditional trade, with increasing collaboration in digital transformation, fintech, artificial intelligence, smart cities, renewable energy, logistics, and startup ecosystems. The Bulgaria–UAE Business Forum highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to foster innovation-led economic growth and create new channels for investment and technology exchange.
For Dubai’s business community, Bulgaria’s latest AI initiative underscores the country’s determination to embrace emerging technologies while strengthening ties with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation economies. As the UAE continues to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and digital governance, Bulgaria is looking to build on that momentum through closer cooperation and shared technological ambitions.
