Japanese dairy products maker Meiji has expressed interest in investing in Bulgaria’s southwestern region of Petrich, according to a media statement of the Petrich Municipality.

Bulgaria’s Deputy Economy Minister Lyuben Petrov met with representatives of Meiji in Sofia in early March.

Kazuo Kawamura, President of Meiji, will visit Petrich in the period April 7-9 to discuss concrete projects and investment proposals with representatives of the local authorities.

Although the core activity of Meiji is related to the production of dairy products, the company is also interested in manufacturing healthy products and food additives, baby food, confectionery, and pharmaceutical products, according to the media statement of the Petrich Municipality, as cited by investor.bg.

Meiji is one of the Japanese companies offering yoghurt made with Bulgarian starter culture (from Bulgaria’s state-owned LB Bulgaricum) in Japan.

The company, founded in 1917, has a total headcount of over 15 000, according to its website.

The company has been promoting the Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt brand since 1973.

Meiji is a leading Japanese food producer.

Meiji sells nearly 2 million cups of yoghurt a day in Japan.

Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt is also sold in China, Thailand, and Singapore.