Dnipropetrovsk Investment Agency keeps introducing about the level of Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk region cooperation with other countries amid the unprovoked military aggression by the russian federation. For now, we propose an overview of the assistance provided by the Republic of Bulgaria and the foreign trade volume figures, which is derived from DIABASE data.

For the fourth year in a row, Bulgaria has been providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine: political, financial, military, humanitarian and diplomatic. The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria has repeatedly confirmed its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in international statements. During the Ukraine–Southeast Europe summit held on June 11, 2025 in Odesa, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov emphasized his country’s readiness to contribute to the achievement of a lasting and just peace‑ and ensuring security for Ukraine.

Bulgaria is one of the countries that has been quite active in helping Ukraine with weapons during all the years of the war. As of today, the Black Sea country has handed over ten packages of military aid to Kyiv, which, in particular, included Su-25 aircraft, T-72M1S tanks, «Grad» multiple rocket launchers, «Gvozdika» self-propelled howitzers and towed D-20 guns, 60 mm, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, BTR-60PB armored personnel carriers, anti-tank grenade launchers «Spis», DRTG-73, ATGL-L, BULSPIKE-AT, MG-1M machine guns, hand grenades of various types, 122mm, 152mm and 155mm shells for barrel artillery and 122mm for rocket artillery, 80mm ARS-8KOM unguided aircraft missiles, cartridges of various calibers for small arms, military equipment, including helmets and bulletproof vests, diesel fuel, etc.

The Bulgarian defense industry plans to continue producing Soviet-standard ammunition and to launch additional production facilities for NATO-standard ammunition in 155 and 105 millimeter calibers.

In addition, the Bulgarian military is participating in the training of Ukrainian military personnel and Ukrainian combat medics. During the training, they acquire practical skills in tactical medicine, evacuation, and emergency care in combat conditions.

In 2024, foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Bulgaria showed growth in both directions. The volume of Ukrainian exports to Bulgaria amounted to $1,133.6 million, which is 25% more than in 2023. This dynamic indicates an intensification of trade relations, probably due to the supply of agricultural products, metals and raw materials.

Imports of goods from Bulgaria to Ukraine also increased — by 6% compared to the previous year, to $2,360.1 million. Despite the positive dynamics of exports, the trade balance remains negative for Ukraine, because the volume of imports is more than twice that of exports.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority of the two countries. The current level of economic relations between Dnipropetrovsk region and Bulgaria indicates a significant potential for growth in the field of investment activity. There are 5 Bulgarian companies operating in the region, which have invested $329,600 in the region’s economy.

The country remains an important trade partner of Dnipropetrovsk region and is one of the main foreign trade partners of the region, ranking 4th among the world’s exporting countries.

The volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region increased by 44% compared to 2023 and amounted to $404.3 million, which is 35.7% of the national figure. Bulgarian enterprises are most interested in ferrous metals and products thereof, fats and vegetable oil, parts of railway locomotives, meat and edible offal, etc.

More than 140 enterprises of Dnipropetrovsk region exported their products to the Bulgarian market, these are enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex, engineering, processing industry and agro-industrial complex.

TOP-5 exporter enterprises (ranked by volume of exported products):

Imports of goods from Bulgaria to Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 37% compared to 2023 and amounted to $36.2 million.

More than 120 enterprises of importers in the region bought the most Bulgarian goods, namely: fertilizers, soap and detergents, machinery and equipment, plastics and polymer materials, etc.

TOP 5 importer enterprises (ranked by volume of imported products):

Import operations were mainly carried out by trade, food, processing and engineering enterprises.

Source: the information for this article was taken from open online sources