About the 3rd ARES

The AmChams Regional Economic Summit (ARES) is an initiative of the American Chambers of Commerce in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey, designed to promote trade and investment opportunities across Eurasia. So far there were two editions: 1st AEES (AmChams Eurasian Economic Summit) in 2024 Summit in Istanbul was huge success: it gathered over 200 participants from 13 countries and facilitated 100+ B2B meetings. Then the Steering Committee and the participating AmChams decided that the 2nd ARES (renamed to AmChams Regional Economic Summit) which took place in Athens, Greece, June 12 – 13, 2025. The 3rd ARES will take place in Sofa, Bulgaria, and is expecting a large participation.

The Summit serves as a premier platform connecting ambassadors, government officials, and senior business leaders to foster economic development and cross-border collaboration

Participating Countries

The Summit will welcome delegations from Eurasia, Central, Southeast Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean, including:

  • Steering Committee: Greece, Bulgaria, Türkiye
  • Eurasian and Central Asian Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
  • Southeast Europe: Cyprus, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania.
  • Observing Members (2026): Ukraine, Kazakhstan

Visa & Accomodation

AmCham Bulgaria is in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and together clarified a process for ease visa application and facilitation.

Standard Visa “C” Requirements
  • Application Form & Photo – 1) Completed short-term Visa “C” application form (download) and 2) 1 colour passport-size photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm on a light background)
  • Official Invitation – Invitation from AmCham BG on official letterhead, with signature and stamp – reach out to Petya Kostova, [email protected]
  • Hotel Reservation – Confirmed hotel booking for the duration of stay (see slide 5 here)
  • Financial Proof – Bank account statement proving approximately EUR / USD 2,000 – 3,000
  • Medical Insurance – Valid travel medical insurance covering the entire duration of stay.

AmCham Bulgaria will assist with the hotel accommodation in Sofia thanks to the hosting Hotel – Hilton Sofia.

Key Themes

The 2026 Summit will cover high-impact industries and economic drivers, with dedicated thematic sessions on:

  • Energy: Energy supply and security, sustainability, and infrastructure investments, including nuclear, LNG projects, the Vertical Gas Corridor, renewable energy transitions and critical mineral potential
  • Hospitality & Real Estate: Addressing tourism industry trends, connectivity improvements, and cross-border investment opportunities
  • Construction & Infrastructure: Exploring sustainable urban development, engineering innovations, and infrastructure investments for economic growth
  • Financing & Investment: Examining funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and emerging financial technologies.
  • Technology & Digital Transformation: AI, IoT, connectivity, including Kardesa and Digital Silk Way projects. Digital upskilling to enhance business efficiency and competitiveness.
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Development: Automation, green manufacturing, and industrial innovation.
  • Supply Chains & Logistics: Enhancing supply chain resilience, transparency, and sustainability through digital advancements. The Middle Corridor.

Summit Objectives

  • Signify a shared vision for long-term regional development and shared prosperity.
  • Promote Regional Trade & Investment: Highlight sector-specific opportunities and facilitate strategic partnerships.
  • Policy & Economic Dialogue: Engage public and private stakeholders on frameworks that support regional economic cooperation.
  • B2B Networking: Enable targeted business meetings through a structured matchmaking platform

The regional partners aim to explore the potential for further economic development and more tangible B2B relationships, in respective business sectors.

Event Format

The two-day Summit will feature:

  • High-Level Keynotes: Government officials, ambassadors, senior corporate leaders.
  • Panel Discussions: Expert-led sessions on priority sectors and regional challenges.
  • B2B Meetings: Structured matchmaking sessions.
  • Trade & Investment Promotion: roundtables with national investment agencies.
  • Networking Opportunities: Evening and luncheon receptions to encourage informal business engagement.

About the Organizers

AmCham Türkiye, AmCham Greece, and AmCham Bulgaria united their capacities to create this unique in terms of scope, value, and potential results conference in Sofia this year, and then – pass the ARES Torch to the next hosting chamber.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham Bulgaria) has been and continues to be the voice of the Transatlantic economy in Bulgaria for more than 30 years. It unites more than 350 members – U.S., Bulgarian and multinational companies.

The Chamber is based in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has a commercial representative office in Washington D.C, USA, which assists both Bulgarian and American businesses to create connections and grow.

AmCham Bulgaria is a member of the American Chambers in Europe Network (ACE, AmChams in Europe), and it is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has also supported the Three Seas Initiative since 2019. It is a member of the CEE Digital Coalition. In 2025, AmCham Bulgaria also became a member of AUSA (Association of the United States Army).

AmCham Türkiye is a business association and NGO, comprised of U.S. companies with operations in Türkiye. Founded in 2004, it is focused on acting as a bridge between Türkiye and the U.S. to further improve bilateral trade and investments, and to support Türkiye’s economic development by strengthening the business environment and stimulating foreign direct investments. 

AmCham Türkiye represents 140+ prominent U.S. member firms with investments over USD 60 billion having created 100.000 jobs in Türkiye. It endeavors to be a trusted and credible thought leader that helps accelerate improvement in the business environment, working in partnership with U.S. businesses, foreign investors, and local decision-makers.     

The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Greece) was established in 1932 and is one of the largest, most active and dynamic American Chambers in Europe. Virtually all the American companies that do business in Greece and Greek companies that engage in trade with the U.S.A, are members of the Chamber. 

The Chamber’s membership is comprised of 750 companies that seek to expand business horizons, create new business partnerships, and take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in today’s global economy. The Chamber promotes economic and business relations between the U.S.A. and Greece. It is a wholly autonomous, not-for-profit organization and receives no subsidy from any government body. It is an active member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. and the European Network of the American Chambers (AmChams in Europe).

b2b Partner 

b2match is a product software company that doesn’t just build software, we engineer real connections and help cultivate extraordinary business opportunities. 

b2match is the Official b2b matchmaking platform for the 3rd AmChams Regional Economic Summit 2026, at Sofia, Bulgaria.

https://www.b2match.com/