site.btaPM Borissov Answers Questions at Business Forum

PM Borissov Answers Questions at Business Forum

Sofia, April 7 (BTA) - Addressing a business forum entitled
"Yes! to the Bulgarian Economy" on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko
Borissov said: "We are in favour of a Single European Energy
Market, alternative energy sources and, above all, developing
our own sources to make us energy independent. I am confident
that this problem will be solved gradually in the coming years.
I hope for an end to these sanctions, this relentless
haemorrhaging which is causing losses all around, to both Europe
and Russia."

Borissov was asked by participants when their businesses would
stop paying the highest fuel and gas prices.

The forum was organized by the Confederation of Employers and
Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG) and the "Standart News"
daily.

Borissov pledged that the struggle against contraband goods
would continue.

Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova said that Bulgaria needs gas
interconnectors and diversification of its energy sources if it
is to deal with the problem. The interconnector with Greece
will be built soon, which will regulate the price of natural
gas, she said.

CEIBG President Kiril Domouschiev said electricity export is
export of a raw material, not of a product with a high value
added. This raw material should stay in Bulgaria instead of
importing expensive electricity.

Milk producer Dimiter Madjarov asked if there is a State policy
promoting Bulgarian-made products in the European markets and
what role commercial attaches play. Borissov said the latter
left much to be desired. "We have poured 2,007 million leva in
Bulgarian agriculture and have opened the Rural Development
Programme at our own risk," said the Prime Minister. "With our
great pastures we can produce the best quality milk and meat and
there will be no unemployment. The meat of Bulgarian calves and
lambs is delicious, they are a great opportunity for the
Bulgarian economy but interest and initiative are insufficient."

Answering a question, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov ruled
out a lower VAT rate for food, arguing that at 20 per cent it is
not too high. He added that the flat tax rate is the best in
terms of administration and eliminates a distortion of
consumption.