According to an early estimate, Bulgaria's trade with Germany in 2007 exceeded 4,000 million euro, which is yet another record in bilateral trade, BTA is citing Mitko Vassilev, CEO of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

This result makes Germany the number one trading partner of Bulgaria, Vassilev said.

He listed the companies which have won the Awards of the German Economy in Bulgaria for 2007: Liebherr Hausgerete Mariza (in the category of large companies which are members of the Chamber), Elittour (small or medium-sized enterprise, member of the Chamber) and Petrov P.M. (non-member of the Chamber).

Liebherr Mariza, which manufactures refrigerators and freezers, produced over 500,000 appliances in 2007. The company's turnover increased 35 per cent to 113 million euro.

Elittour's turnover in the hotel business last year was 59.5 million euro, and in auxiliary services 6.5 million euro. The company is general representative of the tour operator Thomas Cook. In 2007, it serviced 201,000 tourists.

Petrov P.M., which manufactures machine components for Bosch, increased its production by more than 25 per cent in 2007. Its turnover amounted to 350,000 euro. The company invested some 300,000 euro in machinery and equipment.

The awards of the Bulgarian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry are conferred on companies and institutions which have contributed substantially to Bulgarian-German economic relations.