site.btaSofia, Friday, February 11, 2022, No.35
DNEWS 06:40:01 11-02-2022
TE0039DN.001 06:40
Daily News - Sofia, Friday, February 11, 2022, No.35
Sofia, Friday, February 11, 2022, No.35
Parliament Adopts at First Reading Draft State Budget for 2022
Sofia - On Thursday, Parliament adopted at first reading the State Budget Bill of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2022 with 127 votes in favor, 99 against and no abstentions.
GERB-UDF, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) and Vazrazhdane voted against the draft budget.
The National Assembly debated the 2022 budget for more than seven hours without interruption. The meeting was also attended by Cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Korneliya Ninova. The ruling coallition defended their vision that the budget is focused on social policy and economic growth. However, the opposition criticized it for not seeing to reforms and long-term policies.
In the hall, Vassilev repeatedly said that a new model of budgeting is being introduced and the emphasis is on investment. According to Ninova, the budget for 2022 returns the active role of the state. Until now, the philosophy of withdrawing the state from key sectors and full liberalization of the market was professed, the crises have shown that this is the wrong model, Ninova said.
Lyubomir Karimanski, Chairman of the parliamentary Budget Committee and an MP of There Is Such a People, expressed support for the draft budget.
Martin Dimitrov of Democratic Bulgaria said there is potential to develop production and investment and that 4.7 per cent economic growth is possible.
GERB-UDF, MRF and Vazrazhdane criticized the budget. GERB-UDF does not expect the set parameters to be met. They criticized sectoral policies. Krassimir Valchev (GERB-UDF) raised the issue of inflation. According to him, at least three per cent of inflation is due to delayed measures by the state to compensate for businesses.
Bayram Bayram from the MRF described the budget as a "political lie" and "pre-election". ''This proposed budget cannot take us out of the crisis,'' he was adamant, adding: ''We from the MRF characterize it as pre-election, pro-inflation''. He summed up: "Most likely the government has a short vision of governing and plans to throw in the towel this year."
Deputy National Assembly Chair and Vazrazhdane MP Tsoncho Ganev expressed the opinion that the draft budget lacks reforms. According to him, it was not clear what the new foreign debt would be for.
Deputy PM Karadjov Voices High Expectations
for Working Group with North Macedonia
Sofia - Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Grozdan Karadjov said here on Thursday during the opening of the second meeting of the interdepartmental working group for cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia in infrastructure, transport and connectivity, that all pre-conditions are present to show that the working group is the driving force that will take advantage of the political impulse and move bilateral relations in the right direction at an even higher speed.
"We are bearing the burden of big expectations to achieve practical results and this is no coincidence - on the one hand, because for the first time we have clear political consensus for a much more intensive dialogue, and on the other hand, the economic losses from infrastructure projects that have not been implemented yet are creating problems on both sides of the border," the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister said.
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The fourth meeting of expert teams from the foreign ministries of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, engaged in talks on the so-called package of political issues, will be held on Friday in Sofia at the Bulgarian side's invitation, the Foreign Ministry here said.
The meeting was agreed on by Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska and her counterpart from North Macedonia Bujar Osmani during a joint meeting of the two countries' governments on January 25.
EIB Doubles Investments in Bulgaria in 2021 from 2020
Sofia - Investments in Bulgaria of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group doubled its investments in Bulgaria in 2021 compared to 2020, EIB Vice President Lilyana Pavlova said at the EIB Group's regular annual press conference on Thursday. EIB investments in this country in 2021 were five times higher than in previous years.
The EIB Group consists of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
The Group provided loans, guarantees and equity commitments worth 948 million euro for projects in Bulgaria in 2021. This represents 1.43 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and ranks Bulgaria third among EU Member States in aid level relative to GDP. Support under the European Guarantee Fund (EGF) in Bulgaria is expected to unlock 2.7 billion euro for small and medium-sized enterprises struggling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EGF was set up by the EIB Group with contributions from Bulgaria and other EU Member States to shield companies suffering from the COVID-19 crisis.
Of the 948 million euro invested in Bulgaria, 100 million went into infrastructure, 50 million euro were allocated for innovation, and 798 million euro supported SMEs. In 2021, EIB lending in Bulgaria for sustainable infrastructure, green urban development and businesses amounted to 176 million euro. The EIF committed 772 million euro in new operations for SMEs.
"Bulgaria ranks second in the EU after Portugal in the development of all financial products provided by the EIB," said Pavlova.
During the EIB Group's regular annual press conference, the EIF signed an agreement with CFN AD (a fintech start-up in Southeast Europe) for a guarantee instrument under the EGF which will allow companies in infrastructure construction to use bridge financing through factoring for up to 153 million euro. Participants in the press conference said that CFB AD is the first fintech company in Southeast Europe to sign an agreement with the EIB.
Sofia-based CFN aims to provide gradual and long-term support to SMEs which currently represent over 70 per cent of all contractors and subcontractors in state-funded infrastructure projects, said the company's representative Levon Hampartzoumian.
New Board of Directors Appointed at Irrigation Systems EAD
after Audit Finds Public Procurement Violations
Sofia - In a televised interview for Bulgarian National Television on Thursday, Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov said that a new board of directors at Irrigation Systems EAD has replaced the old one. The new one is comprised of four people, with Executive Director Nikolay Chalakov. The change was prompted by the old management's refusal to sign decisions to terminate contracts with companies and to start new procedures with remediated irregularities that had been listed in an audit report.
The report established that poor financial discipline in Irrigation Systems EAD could lead to the company's decapitalization. It also found infringements in public procurements that benefi certain contractors over others, Ivanov said. In his words, there were indications of fraud that could have jeopardized the EU funds meant for repairing the irrigation systems under the Rural Development Operational Programme. These findings have been submitted to the Interior Ministry and the State Agency for National Security.
Ivanov also said that the new board will be required to reduce its administration by 70 people. The company's financial situation is practically very difficult, and the new board is tasked with taking urgent measures to improve it, he added.
The currently suspended public procurements worth some 100 million leva in Irrigation Systems EAD will not be wasted. Their implementation deadline is 2025, said the Minister.
Ivanov also said that his Ministry will aim to initiate changes in order to create middle-class Bulgarian farmers, who will be the backbone of Bulgaria's agriculture. "Our goal is to have funding from the EU reach the small and medium-sized farms, so that we avoid disproportion," he also said.
In his words, the lack of control over the last 12 years and the preferential allocation of funds has led to the Bulgarian farmer having a bad image. From here on out, funds will be dispensed according to the coupled support principle. "We aim to create competitive export-oriented production, to saturate the Bulgarian market with local produce, as has been stated in the coalition agreement," he added.
Minister Ivanov said that inspections on imported foods from third countries will be carried out. After the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency started being governed by the Council of Ministers rather than the Agriculture Ministry, the Agency must become an active and effective body that prevents violations in the sector, he added.
EC Lowers Economic Growth Forecast for Bulgaria for 2022, Increases It for 2023
Brussels - The European Commission (EC) presented here on Thursday its Winter 2022 Economic Forecast, according to which Bulgaria's economy is expected to grow by 3.7 per cent in 2022. Economic growth in this country is expected to accelerate to 3.9 per cent next year.
In its Autumn Economic Forecast, issued in November of 2021, the Commission had projected the Bulgarian economy will grow by 4.1 per cent in 2022 and then slow down to 3.5 per cent next year. The Bulgarian economy grew by 4 per cent in 2021, which exceeded the Commission's projection of 3.8 per cent from last November.
The EC projects inflation in Bulgaria to reach 6.3 per cent this year, after which it will slow down to 3.9 per cent in 2023. Consumer prices in Bulgaria have increased by 2.8 per cent in 2021, according to EC data.
The EC's projections for the EU economy are that following a notable expansion by 5.3per cent in 2021, the EU economy will grow by 4.0 per cent in 2022 and 2.8 per cent in 2023. Growth in the euro area is also expected at 4.0 per cent in 2022, moderating to 2.7 per cent in 2023. The EU as a whole reached its pre-pandemic level of GDP in the third quarter of 2021 and all Member States are projected to have passed this milestone by the end of 2022.
According to a report issued at the end of January, the Bulgarian central bank expects this country's real GDP to mark a 3.7 per cent increase in 2021, followed by a 3.6 per cent increase this year and a 4.5 increase in 2023.
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The University of National and World Economy's Institute of Economics and Politics projects slower economic growth this year due to the exhaustion of the recovery effects and the double inflation rate, compared to what was initially projected by the Government. In its third annual report, submitted to BTA, the Institute projects that GDP growth in 2022 will be 3.5 per cent, which is much lower than the 4.8 per cent projected by the Government in the draft budget, which Parliament is reviewing.
The projected inflation for this year is 11.6 per cent, which is double what the Government expects. A slower recovery of the labour market is also projected by the Institute.
In addition to a more conservative assessment of the Bulgarian economy's prospects, the document also contains an expert analysis on the impact of Bulgaria joining the eurozone. According to the report, adopting the euro will lead to price increases as a result of the initial rounding up of prices and the currency board's replacement by conventional monetary policies. In addition to that, there is a risk of a lasting loosening of fiscal discipline, which is symptomatic for almost the whole eurozone, the authors of the analysis argue.
Nearly 25% of Bulgarian Tourism Already Part
of Sustainable Ecosystem - Expert
Sofia - Nearly 25 per cent of Bulgarian tourism already complies with the European requirement for a resilient, sustainable and green digital tourist ecosystem. Over 80 per cent of Bulgarian hotels offer smart technologies, and 100 per cent of them use power-saving lighting, Institute of Analysis and Assessment in Tourism Director Rumen Draganov said in a BTA interview.
Bulgaria is a unique example of sustainable tourism with its mineral springs, the famous fragrant rose and art that goes over 2,500 years back, but it still lags a bit in innovation and digitization, the expert said.
Apart from hotels, the development of a sustainable tourism system also involves tourist business parks, Draganov commented. He cited the example of the Albena seaside resort, which has already built a circular economy, uses separate waste collection and utilizes part of the waste to generate electricity at a power methane station of its own, produces its own fruits, vegetables, cereals and meat, and employs smart systems, among others. "Albena is thus no longer just a resort but a tourist business park that interfaces the local economy and tourism," he explained. Such parks are being developed in Strandja, Pomorie, Burgas and Velingrad, among others.
The franchise of hotel brands in Bulgaria also contributes to the sustainability of Bulgarian tourism, as some 56 global brands are already here. Draganov expects global brands to enter the Bulgarian market and national brands to develop in food service activities, too, in addition to accommodation services. Boutique hotels offering unique products are the third line of sustainable development, he pointed out.
The transition to sustainable tourism will not push up the product's price. The service is even expected to cheapen, as new technologies cut business costs while increasing the profit margin and the value added in the product, said Draganov.
Active use of rail transport is another factor of sustainable tourism, Draganov recalled. Train services, however, presuppose development of the requisite infrastructure in resorts, including use of new environment-friendly transport.
President Radev: "Bulgaria Is Part of Efforts
to De-Escalate Tenisons, De-Conflict Ukraine Crisis"
Sofia - "Bulgaria is part of the efforts to de-escalate tensions and de-conflict the crisis between Russia and Ukraine," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said, approached for comment by journalists here on Thursday.
The head of State noted that this crisis threatens security of Bulgaria and the region as well as of Europe as a whole. "This is crisis of global dimensions. The dialogue there is conducted at the highest level, between the US and Russia, NATO and Russia, the EU and Russia," Radev pointed out.
"We must all work for avoiding a military solution to this crisis. It cannot be resolved by military means, a diplomatic solution can be sought, and all efforts are channelled towards this goal," the President argued.
"We should be clearly aware that neglecting the problems of the Armed Forces and our commitments as allies is the worst threat to national security," Radev said, asked about a meeting due on February 15, at which the Consultative Council on National Security is to consider national security risks and threats and the state of the Armed Forces. In the opinion of the President, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, "the State leadership's commitment to the development of the Armed Forces must be steady and focused rather than being limited to one-off acts of acquisition of new materiel and armament."
On Thursday, Radev familiarized himself with an analysis of the state and training of the Armed Forces in 2021, which was presented by the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov.
"We proposed a more flexible and open concept for setting up a battalion-size battlegroup in Bulgaria," Eftimov said after the presentation. "On the basis of a mechanized battalion with dedicated combat support components, we enable the Allies to reinforce us with certain elements to address the deficiencies of our armed forces," the Chief of Defence explained.
"There are various options, and a broad range of countries willing to take part can be attracted. Our idea is to demonstrate quickly that Bulgaria and its armed force, jointly with the Allies, is able to show capabilities for building up a deterrent potential," the Admiral specified.
President Radev said, for his part, that the battalion-size battlegroup cannot solve the problems of Bulgaria's national security but it is important to set up because it implies interoperability with the Allies, an ability to form jointly the necessary capabilities and to address the deficiencies resulting from misguided or unadopted decisions in previous years on support for the development of the armed forces. "In this way, we can demonstrate together that we can respond to any crisis," the President said, replying to a question.
He reiterated that developing the Armed Forces and compatibility with the partners is the best guarantee of Bulgaria's national security.
Asked about the possibility of this country meeting the 2 per cent of GDP target for defence spending in 2024, Radev said that this matter will be on the agenda of the Consultative Council on National Security meeting.
Bulgaria Ranks 53rd in Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2021
Sofia - Bulgaria ranks 53rd out of 167 countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index 2021. Bulgaria's overall score of 6.64/10 classifies this country as a 'flawed democracy'.
The country dropped one place from 2020 when its overall score of 6.71 ranked it 52nd. The slight decline emerged in the 'functioning of government' category in 2021, when Bulgarians had to go through three separate parliamentary elections to overcome the political paralysis. In the meantime, this country was led by a caretaker government, EIU's research points out.
The EIU Democracy Index provides a snapshot of the state of world democracy for 165 independent states and two territories. The Democracy Index is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. Based on their scores on 60 indicators within these categories, each country is then itself classified as one of four types of regimes: full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime.
Parliamentary Monitor: Thursday
Sofia - At its sitting on Thursday, the National Assembly transacted business as follows:
- Adopted in two readings in one day amendments to the Act on the Measures and Actions During the State of Emergency Declared with the Decision of the National Assembly of March 13th, 2020.
According to the voted changes, two years after the lifting of the state of emergency, the Ministry of Tourism will provide state operators with a valid license to operate charter flights to Bulgaria for tourism with a state subsidy of 35 euro per seat of the maximum passenger capacity for each flight. The subsidy is granted for each seat occupied by a person using a tourist service in Bulgaria, only for flights with a capacity of no less than 100 seats.
- Adopted first-reading amendments to four acts: the Investment Promotion Act, the Markets and Financial Instruments Act, the Water Act, and the Consumer Protection Act.
Bulgaria Represented at Informal EU Health Ministerial
Grenoble, Southeastern France - Health Minister Asena Serbezova attended an informal meeting of EU health ministers in Grenoble on Thursday, her ministry reported. Before that, on Wednesday and Thursday in Lyon, the health ministers had a joint conference with EU foreign ministers, which discussed the promotion of global health. Bulgaria was represented at the joint conference by Health Minister Serbezova and Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova.
The informal health ministerial looked at the EU healthcare policy. The ministers considered various aspects of crisis management and anti-COVID measures.
Serbezova briefed her counterparts on the Bulgarian position and underscored the need for effective implementation of the legislative decisions already adopted. She said it is essential to carry out analyses at the national level to identify the innovation needs of each member state. EU support in this respect should be geographically balanced, she insisted.
Minister Sandov: Water Mangement Should Be Part of Climate Change Policy
Sofia - Management of water resources should be integrated into climate change policies, Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policies and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov said, as quoted by his Ministry here on Thursday. He was speaking at an online ministerial meeting of the Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River on February 8.
Sandov praised the importance of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River and of intersectoral partnership.
The ministers adopted a Danube River Basin Management Plan, a Danube Flood Risk Management Plan for the period 2022-2027 and a Danube Declaration as an expression of political will to continue cooperation under the Convention, Sandov's Ministry reported.
State Consolidation Company Board of Directors Replaced
Sofia - Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Industry Minister Kornelia Ninova has replaced the Board of Directors of the State Consolidation Company (SCC). Ninova told journalists in the National Assembly lobby on Thursday that she replaced the entire Board after the Executive Director asked to be relieved of office.
She explained: "I want to streamline the work of state-owned enterprises, you know the problems they are plagued by. Therefore I decided that I wanted a new Board composition that would allow me to streamline the work."
Ninova noted that she has asked for a comprehensive check at the SCC and expects a report from the National Audit Office.
COVID-19 Update: 7,263 New Cases, Test Positivity Rate at 24.07%
Sofia - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 1,018,851, after 30,170 tests identified 7,263 new infections on Wednesday, 74.6 per cent of which were of unvaccinated persons, according to data posted on https://coronavirus.bg/. The test positivity rate now stands at 24.07 per cent.
Sofia City Region tops the list of new cases with 1,533 positive tests, followed by Varna with 823 cases and Plovdiv with 689.
The active cases are 262,352. Currently, the hospitalized patients number 6,237, including 608 in intensive care. Of the 775 hospital admissions, 84.13 per cent were not vaccinated.
The infected medical staff have reached 22,012, with 151 new cases detected.
Another 6,745 COVID-19 patients have recovered over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 722,347.
A hundred and eight fatalities were reported (87.96 per cent unvaccinated), and the death toll now adds up to 34,152.
With 7,552 new inoculations over the last 24 hours, 4,226,703 vaccine doses have been administered so far, and 2,010,818 people are fully vaccinated.
BTA Becomes Partner of Hilda Kazasyan's World of Cinema in Music
Sofia - BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and famous Bulgarian jazz singer Hilda Kazasyan signed a cooperation contract here on Thursday. Thus, the Bulgarian News Agency aims to popularize the national tour of concerts, titled "The World of Cinema in Music", which is organized by Kazasyan. Lyubomir Dyakovski, music director of the Pleven Philharmonic, was also in attendance.
"Through this partnership, BTA continues its mission to present Bulgaria's beautiful faces, providing systematic information on cultural events", Valchev stressed, adding that the growing news flow in BTA's culture section, titled "LIK: Knowledge and Culture", now keeps pace with its sport section.
BTA will publish a special edition of LIK magazine dedicated to the work of the Kazasyan family using its rich archive of photos and documents, BTA Director General Valchev said.
"The World of Cinema in Music" includes some 20 masterpiece film scores of world cinema. It is a continuation of Hilda Kazasyan's previous project, titled "Let's Listen to Some Cinema" which included some of the most favourite tunes from Bulgarian films.
The next concerts will take place in Kozloduy (February 18) and Ruse (February 25). Hilda Kazasyan, Vasil Petrov, Theodosii Spassov and the Pleven Philharmonic will perform under the baton of Borslav Yotsov.
Luger Pavel Angelov Retires
after 2022 Beijing Olympics
Sofia - Returning from Beijing, Bulgarian luger Pavel Angelov said that he is dissatisfied with his performance in Beijing and retiring from professional sport. Angelov finished 28th, which was an improvement of nine places compared to his Olympic debut in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
"I decided to quit now, to give a chance to the younger generation to step in the spotlight. My career as an athlete is over. I am switching to being a trainer. We have four or five young hopefuls, who are showing great promise. I hope they will be able to fill my shoes," Angelov added.
Non-government Sector Loans Amount Increases by 8.6%, Y/Y
Sofia - The number of loans to non-financial corporations, financial corporations, households and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) increased by 0.6 per cent on an annual basis at the end of the last quarter of 2021 and their amount went up by 8.6 per cent, the Bulgarian National Bank reported here on Thursday.
There were some 141,000 loans to non-financial corporations at the end of the last quarter of 2021, an increase of 0.8 per cent on an annual basis. Their total amount was 37.636 billion leva marking an increase of 4.5 per cent on an annual basis.
The three economic activities with the largest share of loans in the sector were trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (27.3 per cent), manufacturing (22.1 per cent) and real estate activities (10.4 per cent).
At the end of December 2021, the loans over 1 million leva had the largest share (75.2 per cent) in the total amount of loans.
There were a total of 900 loans to financial corporations at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, marking an increase of 16.2 per cent on an annual basis and amounting to 5.009 billion leva (annual increase of 14.6 per cent). Compared to the end of the previous quarter, the number of loans to the financial corporations sector increased by 4.1 per cent while their amount went up by 2.3 per cent.
At the end of December 2021, the loans over 1 million leva totalled 98.3 per cent of all loans to the sector.
At the end of December 2021, the number of loans to households and NPISHs increased by 0.6 per cent on an annual basis reaching 2.790 million. Their total amount went up by 13.4 per cent on an annual basis reaching 28.908 billion leva.
Compared to September 2021, the number of loans to households and NPISHs increased by 1.5 per cent and their total amount - by 2.9 per cent.
At the end of December 2021, the loans between 100,000 leva and 250,000 leva had the largest share (24 per cent) of the total amount of loans to the sector.
Brazilian National Arrested with 2 Kg Cocaine at Sofia Airport
Sofia - Customs officers from the Anti-Drug Trafficking Department of the Sofia Customs Territorial Directorate seized 2,135 kg of cocaine during a search of a passenger's luggage, the Customs Agency said. The drug was found in the suitcase of a Brazilian citizen who arrived at Sofia Airport from Sao Paulo on February 7, transiting Doha to Sofia on a Qatar Airlines flight.
According to the "risk analysis" method, the customs officers selected the passenger for inspection and after scanning his luggage they found that black packages containing cocaine were hidden under the lining of a checked canvas black suitcase.
Pre-trial proceedings have been instituted in the case. The 44-year-old Brazilian citizen has been detentained in custody. Criminal charges were filed and could lead to imprisonment for 10 to 15 years.
Revenues from Nights Spent at Bulgaria's
Accommodation Establishment Reach Lv 40.8 Mln in December 2021
Sofia - The total revenues from nights spent at accommodation establishments in Bulgaria reached 40.8 million leva in December 2021: 28.1 million leva from Bulgarians and 12.7 million leva from foreigners, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday.
In December 2021, the occupancy of bed-places at accommodation establishments totalled 19.3 per cent, up by 9.4 percentage points from December 2020. Four- and five-star accommodations reported the highest occupancy of bed-places, 25.4 per cent, followed by three-star accommodations, 18.2 per cent, and one- and two-star accommodations, 13.2 per cent.
A total of 1,806 accommodation establishments (hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other short-term accommodations with more than 10 bed-places) with 52,800 rooms and 107,300 bed-places functioned in Bulgaria in December 2021, while the epidemic situation was in progress. Compared to December 2020, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioning during the period) increased by 17.4 per cent, and the number of bed-places in them by 16.7 per cent.
At 616,100, the total number of nights spent at all accommodation establishments in December 2021 was 127.3 per cent more than in December 2020. Bulgarian residents spent 460,600 nights, and foreigners 155,500 nights. In December 2021, four- and five-star hotels accounted for 75.4 per cen of all nights spent by foreign citizens and for 43.0 per cent of all nights spent by Bulgarians.
The number of guests at all accommodation establishments increased by 131.7 per cent in December 2021, year on year, and reached 290,700. Bulgarians spent 231,900 nights at accommodation establishments in December 2021, or 2.0 nights on average. Foreign guests numbered 58,800, and they averaged 2.6 nights, with 75.0 per cent of them putting up at four- and five-star hotels.
INSIDE THE BALKANS
Romania Doubles Foreign Worker Quota in Bid to Solve Workforce Shortage
Sofia Georgieva of BTA
Sofia
This year, Romania has decided to double the work permits for EU third country nationals in a bid to solve at least to a certain degree the shortage of workforce on the local labour market. Romanian companies may recruit up to 100,000 workers from countries outside the union, a record number double the figure last year, Romanian media note.
Over 100,000 people from countries outside the EU have come to work in Romania over the last ten years. An unqualified worker from Asia earns an average 500 euro a month, Digi TV said.
For the last summer season, hoteliers relied a lot on third country workers for a lack of an alternative on the domestic labour market, the President of the Federation of Hotel Industry in Romania, Calin Ile, told Agerpres agency.
The hotel industry is doing its best to raise salaries in the sector and become more attractive, particularly to those Romanians who have gone to work abroad.
Nearly five million Romanians live abroad and most of them have left in the quest for better remuneration.
Construction is another sector of the economy suffering from a severe shortage of workforce.
The President of the Association of Entrepreneurs, Christian Parvan, told Radio Free Europe that Romania has an ageing workforce and companies have to cope with the competition on the European market where many Romanians go to work.
"Whoever qualifies in Romania, leaves and heads West. Germany, for example, said it needs 400,000 workers a year. There are hundreds of Romanian enterprises who have no one to work with," Parvan pointed out, as quoted by Free Europe.
Romanian companies recruit workers mainly from Asia: India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Parvan explains that with the serious competition on the European market. "Why would an Ukrainian come to Romania instead of going to Germany or Poland where the offers are better?" is the way he puts it.
Concelex construction company Executive Director Catalin Visan says he is expecting 70 Tajiks and 30 Pakistanis. Currently, nearly half of the company's 600 employees are foreigners.
The monthly costs per foreign worker reach 1,200 euro, including 600-700 euro salary and the employer's costs for accommodation and food.
Visan says he cannot find Romanian workers for the long term. If he succeeds in recruiting some, they stay a couple of days and then leave. He admits it is more attractive for them to go to Germany, where they are offered 3,000-3,500 euro.
In 2022 the number of employed in construction grew to 420,000 compared to 330,000 in 2021, data of the Romanian Association of Construction Contractors show. They also show that the costs for a foreign worker are higher than those for a Romanian worker.
Romanian Confederation of Licensed Operators and Transporters (COTAR) President Vasile Stefanescu says the transport sector is also looking for foreign workers. Over 100,000 drivers for the companies in Romania are wanted and even now there are drivers from Asia, particularly Sri Lanka, he explains.
The demand for foreign workers on the Romanian market was also high last year, in spite of the pandemic, Radio Free Europe noted. In January-August 2021, 6,518 companies requested certificates for workforce from abroad, compared to 4,135 in 2020.
At the same time, human resources companies say the recruitment of a foreign worker sometimes takes up to eight months because of red tape.
The average period of waiting depends on the country from which the workers come. For some, like Nepal, India and Bangladesh, there is a single embassy in New Delhi, which is understaffed. The issuance of a visa takes five months, experts say.
Labour Minister Marius Budai told Digi 24 TV that local business had demanded a higher quota of foreign workers for the Romanian market in 2022 so that it could develop its operation over the year. Talks were under way to complement the consular staff wherever necessary, but the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic had also caused problems in that respect.
Bulgaria Participates in EMITT Istanbul 2022 Tourism Exhibition
BTA special by Nahide Deniz
Istanbul
Istanbul is hosting the 25th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) until February 13. Industry representatives from 14 countries, including Bulgaria, spanning three continents are presenting their products and services at the Tuyap Exhibition and Congress Center.
Several Bulgarian tourist operators present Bulgaria as a year-round attractive destination offering high-quality experience to its visitors.
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited the Bulgarian stall on Wednesday. He pointed out that even during the pandemic Turkey remained a preferred destination for Bulgarians looking to travel or relax. The Minister expressed hope that the bilateral tourism ties will grow even stronger.
Today's Observances:
February 11
The world:
- World Day of the Sick. Observed by Catholics since 1993. Instituted by Pope John Paul II.
- National Day of Iran: Islamic Revolution Day (1979).
- European 112 Day. Officially established by EU in 2009 to celebrate European emergency number.
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1856: First Bulgarian chitalishte (reading-room community centre) is established in Svishtov (Northwestern Bulgaria).
1971: Bulgaria signs Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (in effect for Bulgaria May 18, 1972).
1997: Parliamentary parties sign three instruments proclaiming national consensus on anti-crisis moves. Bulgaria begins to recover from financial and economic collapse.
1999: National Assembly ratifies Memorandum of Understanding between Bulgarian Government and European Commission establishing National Fund (signed December 7, 1998, effective February 26, 1999).
Weather Forecast
February 11: Sunny. Wind light, southewesterly (up to moderate west-northwesterly in Danubian Plain in afternoon). Lows: 3-2 C in most parts, around minus 1 C in Sofia. Highs: 14-19 C, around 14 C in Sofia.
Black Sea coast: Sunny. Wind up to moderate, southwesterly. Highs: 10-14 C.
Mountains: Sunny. Wind moderate, west-northwesterly. Highs: around 12 C at 1,200 m, around 5 C at 2,000 m.
Source: National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Exchange - Rates
Sofia, February 10 (BTA) - The Bulgarian National Bank sets the
rates of foreign currencies against the Bulgarian lev applicable
from 5 p.m. on February 10 to 5 p.m. on February 11, 2022. The
central rates are used for the purposes of accounting,
statistics, customs valuation and remittances. The commercial
banks set the exchange rates at which foreign exchange is bought
and sold.
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CURRENCY SWIFT CODE FOR LEVA
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Australian Dollar AUD 1 1.23055
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Advisory
to BTA's External Service
Subscribers
Sofia, February 11 (BTA) - Following are some of the main
stories to be moved by BTA's External News Service on Friday,
February 11:
-- Parliament holds a sitting. On the agenda are second-reading
debates to tax laws. The National Assembly will also have a
Question Time session where Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, the
five deputy prime ministers, and nine cabinet ministers are to
take part.
-- The fourth meeting of expert teams from the foreign
ministries of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia
engaged in talks on the so-called package of political issues
takes place in Sofia at the Bulgarian side's invitation.
Press
-
Review
Sofia, February 11 (BTA) -
HOME SCENE
The cover story of the Capital weekly headlined, "It Is High
Time for Update of This Country," says that the government has
set itself the task of speedy digitization of Bulgaria already
in the cabinet's first year in office. One of the reports
presents the newly-set up Ministry of e-Government and has an
interview with its head, Bozhidar Bozhanov. Asked what of the
many improvements are expected to be realistically ready on
January 1, 2023, Bozhanov lists electronic identification,
electronic prescriptions, electronic medical referrals and
records, and an end to all administrative certificates,
rubber-stamped documents, and other similar paper slips. The
main player in the digitization will be Information Services AD.
* * *
Sega runs a highly critical signed commentary on the performance
of the government so far. The author of the article argues that
over the past weeks the government "has been jumping according
to an alien agenda" and that the new power holders cannot
explain the reforms it plans to implement.
In a Trud interview political analyst Stoicho Stoev says that
the power holders are only creating the impression of doing a
lot of work.
* * *
The official ceremony where Galina Zaharova officially took up
the post of president of the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) is
given prominent coverage in Friday's press. Zaharova, who was
elected to the post on January 14 in a unanimous vote of the
members of the Supreme Judicial Council, is the first woman to
head the SCC.
* * *
Troud has a page-long report which sets out why the suggested
closure of the specialized courts is based on "untruths".
* * *
Troud prints part two of a serialized report which claims to
identify the people with whom Interior Minister Boiko Rashkov
needs "to settle the score".
* * *
A report in Monitor says that after two years of swimming in
online schooling, the life-jacket it provided has burst. The
author argues that a new global crisis is looming: a pandemic of
the uneducated.
LIST OF 19 PERSONS SUSPECTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES
In a story capped "Google Becomes Bulgaria's New Interior
Minister," Standartnews.com reports on how the list of 19
persons suspected for grave crimes and corruption which Prime
Minister Kiril Petkov handed over to the prosecuting magistracy
on Wednesday, was compiled. On Wednesday Petkov and the Chief of
his Political Cabinet, Lena Borislavova, had been asked to
appear before the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office to
provide information about a list in their possession naming
alleged perpetrators of serious criminal and economic offences.
The article in Standartnews.com quotes Borislavova as saying
that the PM's "arrest list" was made based on publications that
came up in a Google search. Approached to explain while the
publications in question are solely from certain media,
Borislavova is quoted as saying "this is what Google yielded".
The reports on the topic in Thursdays' press write that Interior
Minister Boiko Rashkov said that the prosecuting magistracy had
not yet delivered the list to his Ministry. "It may be the case
that the prosecuting magistracy wants to add some names to the
list, for example, from the former power holders," Rashkov is
quoted is saying.
The Capital weekly has the questions and backgrounds about seven
cases which Petkov has raised with Prosecutor General Ivan
Geshev and which the report describes as "some of the most
blatant cases of inaction on the part of the prosecuting
magistracy".
In a related report capped, "Geshev v. Continue the Change: The
Resistance of the Captured State," Capital says that the
prosecuting magistracy and the anti-corruption commission have
entered the stage of an open confrontation with the government
over the latter's insistence on intensifying the fight against
corruption. The report says that the new power holders seem
adamant that they will not make any concessions in respect of
the reform of the judiciary and the work of the anti-corruption
commission.
24 Chassa interviews Geshev who says that he has no worries and
that in the past two years he has been the most frequently
checked person working for the State. Geshev describes as
"offending for Bulgaria as a nation" the fact that a resignation
of the prosecutor general is being pushed through with
"newspaper clippings". The interviewee says that this time round
he expects that the demand for his removal from the post will
be underpinned by legal, and not politically-motivated,
reasoning. He again reiterates his opinion that "since the mafia
and the oligarchs are attacking him so fiercely" the
prosecuting magistracy is doing its job properly.
ECONOMY
The passage of the 2022 state budget bill on first reading
debate is reported in detail by all newspapers and online news
media. One of the most quoted descriptions of the budget is that
of Finance Minister Assen Vassilev who said this a budget that
will put an end to the "poverty policy-making," that is of
strict financial discipline.
Mediapool.bg says that at the centre of the clash during the
seven-hour non-stop debate on the budget was a dispute of the
philosophy of the budget policy, in particular whether to
continue the strict financial discipline that has been
maintained in the past 25 years, or to opt for moderate budget
deficits and use the resources for investment in economic
growth.
A report on the 2022 draft budget in Sega says that the measures
of the government against the shocking price hikes are chaotic
and belated.
Trud leads with a story which says that financial experts have
rejected the economic forecasts of the government underpinning
the 2022 budget and instead expect a twice higher than projected
inflation and a weak economy in 2022.
24 Chassa has an infographic of the draft 2022 budget.
* * *
All of Friday newspapers and online news outlets report on the
election of the new head of the Energy and Water Regulatory
Commission, Stanislav Todorov, and his expectation that the
price of electricity for household consumers will not go up
after the current moratorium is lifted.
* * *
The leading report in 24 Chassa says that petrol and diesel are
expected to reach three leva per litre, which the daily says has
returned the interest in hybrid cars.
The newspaper interviews the head of the Sofia Commodity
Exchange Vassil Simov who says that speaking about "exchange"
prices of electricity and natural gas is misleading when they
are determined on a trading platform owned by the state - this
he says is unheard of in the world.
* * *
Citing data of the central bank, Troud and Telegraph report that
the number of people with bank deposits of more than one
million leva has decreased by 128 to 1,052 in December 2021 from
a year earlier.
* * *
Douma interviews National Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva on the topic
of debt-collection companies.
* * *
In an interview to Monitor, the head of the National
Vine-growing and Wine-making Chamber, Yordan Chorbardjiski, says
that ten million of illegally distilled hard liquor rakiya are
produced in this country per year. The interviewee expects that
alcoholic beverages will appreciate by an average of 20 per cent
this year.
* * *
The leading report in Monitor warns against fake travel agents
which are taking advantage of the coronavirus restrictions to
mislead customers.
* * *
Monitor says that the tourist chamber in the Black Sea city of
Bourgas urges for having a unified COVID protocol for foreign
holiday makers in the coming summer season.
* * *
In its leading report Telegraph writes that the problem of
parking spaces in many cities has pushed up the price of garages
to almost that of an apartment. ZH
END
/ТЕ/
TE0039DN.001 06:40
Daily News - Sofia, Friday, February 11, 2022, No.35
Sofia, Friday, February 11, 2022, No.35
Parliament Adopts at First Reading Draft State Budget for 2022
Sofia - On Thursday, Parliament adopted at first reading the State Budget Bill of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2022 with 127 votes in favor, 99 against and no abstentions.
GERB-UDF, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) and Vazrazhdane voted against the draft budget.
The National Assembly debated the 2022 budget for more than seven hours without interruption. The meeting was also attended by Cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Korneliya Ninova. The ruling coallition defended their vision that the budget is focused on social policy and economic growth. However, the opposition criticized it for not seeing to reforms and long-term policies.
In the hall, Vassilev repeatedly said that a new model of budgeting is being introduced and the emphasis is on investment. According to Ninova, the budget for 2022 returns the active role of the state. Until now, the philosophy of withdrawing the state from key sectors and full liberalization of the market was professed, the crises have shown that this is the wrong model, Ninova said.
Lyubomir Karimanski, Chairman of the parliamentary Budget Committee and an MP of There Is Such a People, expressed support for the draft budget.
Martin Dimitrov of Democratic Bulgaria said there is potential to develop production and investment and that 4.7 per cent economic growth is possible.
GERB-UDF, MRF and Vazrazhdane criticized the budget. GERB-UDF does not expect the set parameters to be met. They criticized sectoral policies. Krassimir Valchev (GERB-UDF) raised the issue of inflation. According to him, at least three per cent of inflation is due to delayed measures by the state to compensate for businesses.
Bayram Bayram from the MRF described the budget as a "political lie" and "pre-election". ''This proposed budget cannot take us out of the crisis,'' he was adamant, adding: ''We from the MRF characterize it as pre-election, pro-inflation''. He summed up: "Most likely the government has a short vision of governing and plans to throw in the towel this year."
Deputy National Assembly Chair and Vazrazhdane MP Tsoncho Ganev expressed the opinion that the draft budget lacks reforms. According to him, it was not clear what the new foreign debt would be for.
Deputy PM Karadjov Voices High Expectations
for Working Group with North Macedonia
Sofia - Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Grozdan Karadjov said here on Thursday during the opening of the second meeting of the interdepartmental working group for cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia in infrastructure, transport and connectivity, that all pre-conditions are present to show that the working group is the driving force that will take advantage of the political impulse and move bilateral relations in the right direction at an even higher speed.
"We are bearing the burden of big expectations to achieve practical results and this is no coincidence - on the one hand, because for the first time we have clear political consensus for a much more intensive dialogue, and on the other hand, the economic losses from infrastructure projects that have not been implemented yet are creating problems on both sides of the border," the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister said.
-----------
The fourth meeting of expert teams from the foreign ministries of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, engaged in talks on the so-called package of political issues, will be held on Friday in Sofia at the Bulgarian side's invitation, the Foreign Ministry here said.
The meeting was agreed on by Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska and her counterpart from North Macedonia Bujar Osmani during a joint meeting of the two countries' governments on January 25.
EIB Doubles Investments in Bulgaria in 2021 from 2020
Sofia - Investments in Bulgaria of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group doubled its investments in Bulgaria in 2021 compared to 2020, EIB Vice President Lilyana Pavlova said at the EIB Group's regular annual press conference on Thursday. EIB investments in this country in 2021 were five times higher than in previous years.
The EIB Group consists of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
The Group provided loans, guarantees and equity commitments worth 948 million euro for projects in Bulgaria in 2021. This represents 1.43 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and ranks Bulgaria third among EU Member States in aid level relative to GDP. Support under the European Guarantee Fund (EGF) in Bulgaria is expected to unlock 2.7 billion euro for small and medium-sized enterprises struggling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EGF was set up by the EIB Group with contributions from Bulgaria and other EU Member States to shield companies suffering from the COVID-19 crisis.
Of the 948 million euro invested in Bulgaria, 100 million went into infrastructure, 50 million euro were allocated for innovation, and 798 million euro supported SMEs. In 2021, EIB lending in Bulgaria for sustainable infrastructure, green urban development and businesses amounted to 176 million euro. The EIF committed 772 million euro in new operations for SMEs.
"Bulgaria ranks second in the EU after Portugal in the development of all financial products provided by the EIB," said Pavlova.
During the EIB Group's regular annual press conference, the EIF signed an agreement with CFN AD (a fintech start-up in Southeast Europe) for a guarantee instrument under the EGF which will allow companies in infrastructure construction to use bridge financing through factoring for up to 153 million euro. Participants in the press conference said that CFB AD is the first fintech company in Southeast Europe to sign an agreement with the EIB.
Sofia-based CFN aims to provide gradual and long-term support to SMEs which currently represent over 70 per cent of all contractors and subcontractors in state-funded infrastructure projects, said the company's representative Levon Hampartzoumian.
New Board of Directors Appointed at Irrigation Systems EAD
after Audit Finds Public Procurement Violations
Sofia - In a televised interview for Bulgarian National Television on Thursday, Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov said that a new board of directors at Irrigation Systems EAD has replaced the old one. The new one is comprised of four people, with Executive Director Nikolay Chalakov. The change was prompted by the old management's refusal to sign decisions to terminate contracts with companies and to start new procedures with remediated irregularities that had been listed in an audit report.
The report established that poor financial discipline in Irrigation Systems EAD could lead to the company's decapitalization. It also found infringements in public procurements that benefi certain contractors over others, Ivanov said. In his words, there were indications of fraud that could have jeopardized the EU funds meant for repairing the irrigation systems under the Rural Development Operational Programme. These findings have been submitted to the Interior Ministry and the State Agency for National Security.
Ivanov also said that the new board will be required to reduce its administration by 70 people. The company's financial situation is practically very difficult, and the new board is tasked with taking urgent measures to improve it, he added.
The currently suspended public procurements worth some 100 million leva in Irrigation Systems EAD will not be wasted. Their implementation deadline is 2025, said the Minister.
Ivanov also said that his Ministry will aim to initiate changes in order to create middle-class Bulgarian farmers, who will be the backbone of Bulgaria's agriculture. "Our goal is to have funding from the EU reach the small and medium-sized farms, so that we avoid disproportion," he also said.
In his words, the lack of control over the last 12 years and the preferential allocation of funds has led to the Bulgarian farmer having a bad image. From here on out, funds will be dispensed according to the coupled support principle. "We aim to create competitive export-oriented production, to saturate the Bulgarian market with local produce, as has been stated in the coalition agreement," he added.
Minister Ivanov said that inspections on imported foods from third countries will be carried out. After the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency started being governed by the Council of Ministers rather than the Agriculture Ministry, the Agency must become an active and effective body that prevents violations in the sector, he added.
EC Lowers Economic Growth Forecast for Bulgaria for 2022, Increases It for 2023
Brussels - The European Commission (EC) presented here on Thursday its Winter 2022 Economic Forecast, according to which Bulgaria's economy is expected to grow by 3.7 per cent in 2022. Economic growth in this country is expected to accelerate to 3.9 per cent next year.
In its Autumn Economic Forecast, issued in November of 2021, the Commission had projected the Bulgarian economy will grow by 4.1 per cent in 2022 and then slow down to 3.5 per cent next year. The Bulgarian economy grew by 4 per cent in 2021, which exceeded the Commission's projection of 3.8 per cent from last November.
The EC projects inflation in Bulgaria to reach 6.3 per cent this year, after which it will slow down to 3.9 per cent in 2023. Consumer prices in Bulgaria have increased by 2.8 per cent in 2021, according to EC data.
The EC's projections for the EU economy are that following a notable expansion by 5.3per cent in 2021, the EU economy will grow by 4.0 per cent in 2022 and 2.8 per cent in 2023. Growth in the euro area is also expected at 4.0 per cent in 2022, moderating to 2.7 per cent in 2023. The EU as a whole reached its pre-pandemic level of GDP in the third quarter of 2021 and all Member States are projected to have passed this milestone by the end of 2022.
According to a report issued at the end of January, the Bulgarian central bank expects this country's real GDP to mark a 3.7 per cent increase in 2021, followed by a 3.6 per cent increase this year and a 4.5 increase in 2023.
---------
The University of National and World Economy's Institute of Economics and Politics projects slower economic growth this year due to the exhaustion of the recovery effects and the double inflation rate, compared to what was initially projected by the Government. In its third annual report, submitted to BTA, the Institute projects that GDP growth in 2022 will be 3.5 per cent, which is much lower than the 4.8 per cent projected by the Government in the draft budget, which Parliament is reviewing.
The projected inflation for this year is 11.6 per cent, which is double what the Government expects. A slower recovery of the labour market is also projected by the Institute.
In addition to a more conservative assessment of the Bulgarian economy's prospects, the document also contains an expert analysis on the impact of Bulgaria joining the eurozone. According to the report, adopting the euro will lead to price increases as a result of the initial rounding up of prices and the currency board's replacement by conventional monetary policies. In addition to that, there is a risk of a lasting loosening of fiscal discipline, which is symptomatic for almost the whole eurozone, the authors of the analysis argue.
Nearly 25% of Bulgarian Tourism Already Part
of Sustainable Ecosystem - Expert
Sofia - Nearly 25 per cent of Bulgarian tourism already complies with the European requirement for a resilient, sustainable and green digital tourist ecosystem. Over 80 per cent of Bulgarian hotels offer smart technologies, and 100 per cent of them use power-saving lighting, Institute of Analysis and Assessment in Tourism Director Rumen Draganov said in a BTA interview.
Bulgaria is a unique example of sustainable tourism with its mineral springs, the famous fragrant rose and art that goes over 2,500 years back, but it still lags a bit in innovation and digitization, the expert said.
Apart from hotels, the development of a sustainable tourism system also involves tourist business parks, Draganov commented. He cited the example of the Albena seaside resort, which has already built a circular economy, uses separate waste collection and utilizes part of the waste to generate electricity at a power methane station of its own, produces its own fruits, vegetables, cereals and meat, and employs smart systems, among others. "Albena is thus no longer just a resort but a tourist business park that interfaces the local economy and tourism," he explained. Such parks are being developed in Strandja, Pomorie, Burgas and Velingrad, among others.
The franchise of hotel brands in Bulgaria also contributes to the sustainability of Bulgarian tourism, as some 56 global brands are already here. Draganov expects global brands to enter the Bulgarian market and national brands to develop in food service activities, too, in addition to accommodation services. Boutique hotels offering unique products are the third line of sustainable development, he pointed out.
The transition to sustainable tourism will not push up the product's price. The service is even expected to cheapen, as new technologies cut business costs while increasing the profit margin and the value added in the product, said Draganov.
Active use of rail transport is another factor of sustainable tourism, Draganov recalled. Train services, however, presuppose development of the requisite infrastructure in resorts, including use of new environment-friendly transport.
President Radev: "Bulgaria Is Part of Efforts
to De-Escalate Tenisons, De-Conflict Ukraine Crisis"
Sofia - "Bulgaria is part of the efforts to de-escalate tensions and de-conflict the crisis between Russia and Ukraine," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said, approached for comment by journalists here on Thursday.
The head of State noted that this crisis threatens security of Bulgaria and the region as well as of Europe as a whole. "This is crisis of global dimensions. The dialogue there is conducted at the highest level, between the US and Russia, NATO and Russia, the EU and Russia," Radev pointed out.
"We must all work for avoiding a military solution to this crisis. It cannot be resolved by military means, a diplomatic solution can be sought, and all efforts are channelled towards this goal," the President argued.
"We should be clearly aware that neglecting the problems of the Armed Forces and our commitments as allies is the worst threat to national security," Radev said, asked about a meeting due on February 15, at which the Consultative Council on National Security is to consider national security risks and threats and the state of the Armed Forces. In the opinion of the President, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, "the State leadership's commitment to the development of the Armed Forces must be steady and focused rather than being limited to one-off acts of acquisition of new materiel and armament."
On Thursday, Radev familiarized himself with an analysis of the state and training of the Armed Forces in 2021, which was presented by the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov.
"We proposed a more flexible and open concept for setting up a battalion-size battlegroup in Bulgaria," Eftimov said after the presentation. "On the basis of a mechanized battalion with dedicated combat support components, we enable the Allies to reinforce us with certain elements to address the deficiencies of our armed forces," the Chief of Defence explained.
"There are various options, and a broad range of countries willing to take part can be attracted. Our idea is to demonstrate quickly that Bulgaria and its armed force, jointly with the Allies, is able to show capabilities for building up a deterrent potential," the Admiral specified.
President Radev said, for his part, that the battalion-size battlegroup cannot solve the problems of Bulgaria's national security but it is important to set up because it implies interoperability with the Allies, an ability to form jointly the necessary capabilities and to address the deficiencies resulting from misguided or unadopted decisions in previous years on support for the development of the armed forces. "In this way, we can demonstrate together that we can respond to any crisis," the President said, replying to a question.
He reiterated that developing the Armed Forces and compatibility with the partners is the best guarantee of Bulgaria's national security.
Asked about the possibility of this country meeting the 2 per cent of GDP target for defence spending in 2024, Radev said that this matter will be on the agenda of the Consultative Council on National Security meeting.
Bulgaria Ranks 53rd in Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2021
Sofia - Bulgaria ranks 53rd out of 167 countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index 2021. Bulgaria's overall score of 6.64/10 classifies this country as a 'flawed democracy'.
The country dropped one place from 2020 when its overall score of 6.71 ranked it 52nd. The slight decline emerged in the 'functioning of government' category in 2021, when Bulgarians had to go through three separate parliamentary elections to overcome the political paralysis. In the meantime, this country was led by a caretaker government, EIU's research points out.
The EIU Democracy Index provides a snapshot of the state of world democracy for 165 independent states and two territories. The Democracy Index is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. Based on their scores on 60 indicators within these categories, each country is then itself classified as one of four types of regimes: full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime.
Parliamentary Monitor: Thursday
Sofia - At its sitting on Thursday, the National Assembly transacted business as follows:
- Adopted in two readings in one day amendments to the Act on the Measures and Actions During the State of Emergency Declared with the Decision of the National Assembly of March 13th, 2020.
According to the voted changes, two years after the lifting of the state of emergency, the Ministry of Tourism will provide state operators with a valid license to operate charter flights to Bulgaria for tourism with a state subsidy of 35 euro per seat of the maximum passenger capacity for each flight. The subsidy is granted for each seat occupied by a person using a tourist service in Bulgaria, only for flights with a capacity of no less than 100 seats.
- Adopted first-reading amendments to four acts: the Investment Promotion Act, the Markets and Financial Instruments Act, the Water Act, and the Consumer Protection Act.
Bulgaria Represented at Informal EU Health Ministerial
Grenoble, Southeastern France - Health Minister Asena Serbezova attended an informal meeting of EU health ministers in Grenoble on Thursday, her ministry reported. Before that, on Wednesday and Thursday in Lyon, the health ministers had a joint conference with EU foreign ministers, which discussed the promotion of global health. Bulgaria was represented at the joint conference by Health Minister Serbezova and Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova.
The informal health ministerial looked at the EU healthcare policy. The ministers considered various aspects of crisis management and anti-COVID measures.
Serbezova briefed her counterparts on the Bulgarian position and underscored the need for effective implementation of the legislative decisions already adopted. She said it is essential to carry out analyses at the national level to identify the innovation needs of each member state. EU support in this respect should be geographically balanced, she insisted.
Minister Sandov: Water Mangement Should Be Part of Climate Change Policy
Sofia - Management of water resources should be integrated into climate change policies, Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policies and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov said, as quoted by his Ministry here on Thursday. He was speaking at an online ministerial meeting of the Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River on February 8.
Sandov praised the importance of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River and of intersectoral partnership.
The ministers adopted a Danube River Basin Management Plan, a Danube Flood Risk Management Plan for the period 2022-2027 and a Danube Declaration as an expression of political will to continue cooperation under the Convention, Sandov's Ministry reported.
State Consolidation Company Board of Directors Replaced
Sofia - Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Industry Minister Kornelia Ninova has replaced the Board of Directors of the State Consolidation Company (SCC). Ninova told journalists in the National Assembly lobby on Thursday that she replaced the entire Board after the Executive Director asked to be relieved of office.
She explained: "I want to streamline the work of state-owned enterprises, you know the problems they are plagued by. Therefore I decided that I wanted a new Board composition that would allow me to streamline the work."
Ninova noted that she has asked for a comprehensive check at the SCC and expects a report from the National Audit Office.
COVID-19 Update: 7,263 New Cases, Test Positivity Rate at 24.07%
Sofia - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 1,018,851, after 30,170 tests identified 7,263 new infections on Wednesday, 74.6 per cent of which were of unvaccinated persons, according to data posted on https://coronavirus.bg/. The test positivity rate now stands at 24.07 per cent.
Sofia City Region tops the list of new cases with 1,533 positive tests, followed by Varna with 823 cases and Plovdiv with 689.
The active cases are 262,352. Currently, the hospitalized patients number 6,237, including 608 in intensive care. Of the 775 hospital admissions, 84.13 per cent were not vaccinated.
The infected medical staff have reached 22,012, with 151 new cases detected.
Another 6,745 COVID-19 patients have recovered over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 722,347.
A hundred and eight fatalities were reported (87.96 per cent unvaccinated), and the death toll now adds up to 34,152.
With 7,552 new inoculations over the last 24 hours, 4,226,703 vaccine doses have been administered so far, and 2,010,818 people are fully vaccinated.
BTA Becomes Partner of Hilda Kazasyan's World of Cinema in Music
Sofia - BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and famous Bulgarian jazz singer Hilda Kazasyan signed a cooperation contract here on Thursday. Thus, the Bulgarian News Agency aims to popularize the national tour of concerts, titled "The World of Cinema in Music", which is organized by Kazasyan. Lyubomir Dyakovski, music director of the Pleven Philharmonic, was also in attendance.
"Through this partnership, BTA continues its mission to present Bulgaria's beautiful faces, providing systematic information on cultural events", Valchev stressed, adding that the growing news flow in BTA's culture section, titled "LIK: Knowledge and Culture", now keeps pace with its sport section.
BTA will publish a special edition of LIK magazine dedicated to the work of the Kazasyan family using its rich archive of photos and documents, BTA Director General Valchev said.
"The World of Cinema in Music" includes some 20 masterpiece film scores of world cinema. It is a continuation of Hilda Kazasyan's previous project, titled "Let's Listen to Some Cinema" which included some of the most favourite tunes from Bulgarian films.
The next concerts will take place in Kozloduy (February 18) and Ruse (February 25). Hilda Kazasyan, Vasil Petrov, Theodosii Spassov and the Pleven Philharmonic will perform under the baton of Borslav Yotsov.
Luger Pavel Angelov Retires
after 2022 Beijing Olympics
Sofia - Returning from Beijing, Bulgarian luger Pavel Angelov said that he is dissatisfied with his performance in Beijing and retiring from professional sport. Angelov finished 28th, which was an improvement of nine places compared to his Olympic debut in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
"I decided to quit now, to give a chance to the younger generation to step in the spotlight. My career as an athlete is over. I am switching to being a trainer. We have four or five young hopefuls, who are showing great promise. I hope they will be able to fill my shoes," Angelov added.
Non-government Sector Loans Amount Increases by 8.6%, Y/Y
Sofia - The number of loans to non-financial corporations, financial corporations, households and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) increased by 0.6 per cent on an annual basis at the end of the last quarter of 2021 and their amount went up by 8.6 per cent, the Bulgarian National Bank reported here on Thursday.
There were some 141,000 loans to non-financial corporations at the end of the last quarter of 2021, an increase of 0.8 per cent on an annual basis. Their total amount was 37.636 billion leva marking an increase of 4.5 per cent on an annual basis.
The three economic activities with the largest share of loans in the sector were trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (27.3 per cent), manufacturing (22.1 per cent) and real estate activities (10.4 per cent).
At the end of December 2021, the loans over 1 million leva had the largest share (75.2 per cent) in the total amount of loans.
There were a total of 900 loans to financial corporations at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, marking an increase of 16.2 per cent on an annual basis and amounting to 5.009 billion leva (annual increase of 14.6 per cent). Compared to the end of the previous quarter, the number of loans to the financial corporations sector increased by 4.1 per cent while their amount went up by 2.3 per cent.
At the end of December 2021, the loans over 1 million leva totalled 98.3 per cent of all loans to the sector.
At the end of December 2021, the number of loans to households and NPISHs increased by 0.6 per cent on an annual basis reaching 2.790 million. Their total amount went up by 13.4 per cent on an annual basis reaching 28.908 billion leva.
Compared to September 2021, the number of loans to households and NPISHs increased by 1.5 per cent and their total amount - by 2.9 per cent.
At the end of December 2021, the loans between 100,000 leva and 250,000 leva had the largest share (24 per cent) of the total amount of loans to the sector.
Brazilian National Arrested with 2 Kg Cocaine at Sofia Airport
Sofia - Customs officers from the Anti-Drug Trafficking Department of the Sofia Customs Territorial Directorate seized 2,135 kg of cocaine during a search of a passenger's luggage, the Customs Agency said. The drug was found in the suitcase of a Brazilian citizen who arrived at Sofia Airport from Sao Paulo on February 7, transiting Doha to Sofia on a Qatar Airlines flight.
According to the "risk analysis" method, the customs officers selected the passenger for inspection and after scanning his luggage they found that black packages containing cocaine were hidden under the lining of a checked canvas black suitcase.
Pre-trial proceedings have been instituted in the case. The 44-year-old Brazilian citizen has been detentained in custody. Criminal charges were filed and could lead to imprisonment for 10 to 15 years.
Revenues from Nights Spent at Bulgaria's
Accommodation Establishment Reach Lv 40.8 Mln in December 2021
Sofia - The total revenues from nights spent at accommodation establishments in Bulgaria reached 40.8 million leva in December 2021: 28.1 million leva from Bulgarians and 12.7 million leva from foreigners, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday.
In December 2021, the occupancy of bed-places at accommodation establishments totalled 19.3 per cent, up by 9.4 percentage points from December 2020. Four- and five-star accommodations reported the highest occupancy of bed-places, 25.4 per cent, followed by three-star accommodations, 18.2 per cent, and one- and two-star accommodations, 13.2 per cent.
A total of 1,806 accommodation establishments (hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other short-term accommodations with more than 10 bed-places) with 52,800 rooms and 107,300 bed-places functioned in Bulgaria in December 2021, while the epidemic situation was in progress. Compared to December 2020, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioning during the period) increased by 17.4 per cent, and the number of bed-places in them by 16.7 per cent.
At 616,100, the total number of nights spent at all accommodation establishments in December 2021 was 127.3 per cent more than in December 2020. Bulgarian residents spent 460,600 nights, and foreigners 155,500 nights. In December 2021, four- and five-star hotels accounted for 75.4 per cen of all nights spent by foreign citizens and for 43.0 per cent of all nights spent by Bulgarians.
The number of guests at all accommodation establishments increased by 131.7 per cent in December 2021, year on year, and reached 290,700. Bulgarians spent 231,900 nights at accommodation establishments in December 2021, or 2.0 nights on average. Foreign guests numbered 58,800, and they averaged 2.6 nights, with 75.0 per cent of them putting up at four- and five-star hotels.
INSIDE THE BALKANS
Romania Doubles Foreign Worker Quota in Bid to Solve Workforce Shortage
Sofia Georgieva of BTA
Sofia
This year, Romania has decided to double the work permits for EU third country nationals in a bid to solve at least to a certain degree the shortage of workforce on the local labour market. Romanian companies may recruit up to 100,000 workers from countries outside the union, a record number double the figure last year, Romanian media note.
Over 100,000 people from countries outside the EU have come to work in Romania over the last ten years. An unqualified worker from Asia earns an average 500 euro a month, Digi TV said.
For the last summer season, hoteliers relied a lot on third country workers for a lack of an alternative on the domestic labour market, the President of the Federation of Hotel Industry in Romania, Calin Ile, told Agerpres agency.
The hotel industry is doing its best to raise salaries in the sector and become more attractive, particularly to those Romanians who have gone to work abroad.
Nearly five million Romanians live abroad and most of them have left in the quest for better remuneration.
Construction is another sector of the economy suffering from a severe shortage of workforce.
The President of the Association of Entrepreneurs, Christian Parvan, told Radio Free Europe that Romania has an ageing workforce and companies have to cope with the competition on the European market where many Romanians go to work.
"Whoever qualifies in Romania, leaves and heads West. Germany, for example, said it needs 400,000 workers a year. There are hundreds of Romanian enterprises who have no one to work with," Parvan pointed out, as quoted by Free Europe.
Romanian companies recruit workers mainly from Asia: India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Parvan explains that with the serious competition on the European market. "Why would an Ukrainian come to Romania instead of going to Germany or Poland where the offers are better?" is the way he puts it.
Concelex construction company Executive Director Catalin Visan says he is expecting 70 Tajiks and 30 Pakistanis. Currently, nearly half of the company's 600 employees are foreigners.
The monthly costs per foreign worker reach 1,200 euro, including 600-700 euro salary and the employer's costs for accommodation and food.
Visan says he cannot find Romanian workers for the long term. If he succeeds in recruiting some, they stay a couple of days and then leave. He admits it is more attractive for them to go to Germany, where they are offered 3,000-3,500 euro.
In 2022 the number of employed in construction grew to 420,000 compared to 330,000 in 2021, data of the Romanian Association of Construction Contractors show. They also show that the costs for a foreign worker are higher than those for a Romanian worker.
Romanian Confederation of Licensed Operators and Transporters (COTAR) President Vasile Stefanescu says the transport sector is also looking for foreign workers. Over 100,000 drivers for the companies in Romania are wanted and even now there are drivers from Asia, particularly Sri Lanka, he explains.
The demand for foreign workers on the Romanian market was also high last year, in spite of the pandemic, Radio Free Europe noted. In January-August 2021, 6,518 companies requested certificates for workforce from abroad, compared to 4,135 in 2020.
At the same time, human resources companies say the recruitment of a foreign worker sometimes takes up to eight months because of red tape.
The average period of waiting depends on the country from which the workers come. For some, like Nepal, India and Bangladesh, there is a single embassy in New Delhi, which is understaffed. The issuance of a visa takes five months, experts say.
Labour Minister Marius Budai told Digi 24 TV that local business had demanded a higher quota of foreign workers for the Romanian market in 2022 so that it could develop its operation over the year. Talks were under way to complement the consular staff wherever necessary, but the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic had also caused problems in that respect.
Bulgaria Participates in EMITT Istanbul 2022 Tourism Exhibition
BTA special by Nahide Deniz
Istanbul
Istanbul is hosting the 25th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) until February 13. Industry representatives from 14 countries, including Bulgaria, spanning three continents are presenting their products and services at the Tuyap Exhibition and Congress Center.
Several Bulgarian tourist operators present Bulgaria as a year-round attractive destination offering high-quality experience to its visitors.
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited the Bulgarian stall on Wednesday. He pointed out that even during the pandemic Turkey remained a preferred destination for Bulgarians looking to travel or relax. The Minister expressed hope that the bilateral tourism ties will grow even stronger.
Today's Observances:
February 11
The world:
- World Day of the Sick. Observed by Catholics since 1993. Instituted by Pope John Paul II.
- National Day of Iran: Islamic Revolution Day (1979).
- European 112 Day. Officially established by EU in 2009 to celebrate European emergency number.
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1856: First Bulgarian chitalishte (reading-room community centre) is established in Svishtov (Northwestern Bulgaria).
1971: Bulgaria signs Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (in effect for Bulgaria May 18, 1972).
1997: Parliamentary parties sign three instruments proclaiming national consensus on anti-crisis moves. Bulgaria begins to recover from financial and economic collapse.
1999: National Assembly ratifies Memorandum of Understanding between Bulgarian Government and European Commission establishing National Fund (signed December 7, 1998, effective February 26, 1999).
Weather Forecast
February 11: Sunny. Wind light, southewesterly (up to moderate west-northwesterly in Danubian Plain in afternoon). Lows: 3-2 C in most parts, around minus 1 C in Sofia. Highs: 14-19 C, around 14 C in Sofia.
Black Sea coast: Sunny. Wind up to moderate, southwesterly. Highs: 10-14 C.
Mountains: Sunny. Wind moderate, west-northwesterly. Highs: around 12 C at 1,200 m, around 5 C at 2,000 m.
Source: National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.
Exchange - Rates
Sofia, February 10 (BTA) - The Bulgarian National Bank sets the
rates of foreign currencies against the Bulgarian lev applicable
from 5 p.m. on February 10 to 5 p.m. on February 11, 2022. The
central rates are used for the purposes of accounting,
statistics, customs valuation and remittances. The commercial
banks set the exchange rates at which foreign exchange is bought
and sold.
______________________________________________
CURRENCY SWIFT CODE FOR LEVA
_______________________________________________
Australian Dollar AUD 1 1.23055
Brazilian Real BRL 10 3.27785
Canadian Dollar CAD 1 1.34903
Swiss Franc CHF 1 1.85018
Chinese Yuan Renminbi CNY 10 2.68946
Czech Koruna CZK 100 8.03216
Danish Krone DKK 10 2.62866
British Pound GBP 1 2.32152
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 10 2.19406
Croatian Kuna HRK 10 2.59825
Hungarian Forint HUF 1000 5.52463
Indonesian Rupiah IDR 10000 1.19329
New Israel Shekel ILS 10 5.31533
Indian Rupee INR 100 2.27588
Icelandic Krona ISK 100 1.37929
Japanese Yen JPY 100 1.47699
South Korean Won KRW 1000 1.4302
Mexican Peso MXN 100 8.37313
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 10 4.08699
Norwegian Krone NOK 10 1.94237
New Zealand Dollar NZD 1 1.14537
Philippine Peso PHP 100 3.33856
Polish Zloty PLN 10 4.35393
Romanian Leu RON 10 3.95509
Russian Rouble RUB 100 2.30047
Swedish Krona SEK 10 1.85783
Singaporean Dollar SGD 1 1.27457
Thai Baht THB 100 5.23916
Turkish Lira TRY 10 1.26315
US Dollar USD 1 1.70979
South African Rand ZAR 10 1.13003
Gold price (per troy ounce) XAU 1 3139.5
Advisory
to BTA's External Service
Subscribers
Sofia, February 11 (BTA) - Following are some of the main
stories to be moved by BTA's External News Service on Friday,
February 11:
-- Parliament holds a sitting. On the agenda are second-reading
debates to tax laws. The National Assembly will also have a
Question Time session where Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, the
five deputy prime ministers, and nine cabinet ministers are to
take part.
-- The fourth meeting of expert teams from the foreign
ministries of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia
engaged in talks on the so-called package of political issues
takes place in Sofia at the Bulgarian side's invitation.
Press
-
Review
Sofia, February 11 (BTA) -
HOME SCENE
The cover story of the Capital weekly headlined, "It Is High
Time for Update of This Country," says that the government has
set itself the task of speedy digitization of Bulgaria already
in the cabinet's first year in office. One of the reports
presents the newly-set up Ministry of e-Government and has an
interview with its head, Bozhidar Bozhanov. Asked what of the
many improvements are expected to be realistically ready on
January 1, 2023, Bozhanov lists electronic identification,
electronic prescriptions, electronic medical referrals and
records, and an end to all administrative certificates,
rubber-stamped documents, and other similar paper slips. The
main player in the digitization will be Information Services AD.
* * *
Sega runs a highly critical signed commentary on the performance
of the government so far. The author of the article argues that
over the past weeks the government "has been jumping according
to an alien agenda" and that the new power holders cannot
explain the reforms it plans to implement.
In a Trud interview political analyst Stoicho Stoev says that
the power holders are only creating the impression of doing a
lot of work.
* * *
The official ceremony where Galina Zaharova officially took up
the post of president of the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) is
given prominent coverage in Friday's press. Zaharova, who was
elected to the post on January 14 in a unanimous vote of the
members of the Supreme Judicial Council, is the first woman to
head the SCC.
* * *
Troud has a page-long report which sets out why the suggested
closure of the specialized courts is based on "untruths".
* * *
Troud prints part two of a serialized report which claims to
identify the people with whom Interior Minister Boiko Rashkov
needs "to settle the score".
* * *
A report in Monitor says that after two years of swimming in
online schooling, the life-jacket it provided has burst. The
author argues that a new global crisis is looming: a pandemic of
the uneducated.
LIST OF 19 PERSONS SUSPECTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES
In a story capped "Google Becomes Bulgaria's New Interior
Minister," Standartnews.com reports on how the list of 19
persons suspected for grave crimes and corruption which Prime
Minister Kiril Petkov handed over to the prosecuting magistracy
on Wednesday, was compiled. On Wednesday Petkov and the Chief of
his Political Cabinet, Lena Borislavova, had been asked to
appear before the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office to
provide information about a list in their possession naming
alleged perpetrators of serious criminal and economic offences.
The article in Standartnews.com quotes Borislavova as saying
that the PM's "arrest list" was made based on publications that
came up in a Google search. Approached to explain while the
publications in question are solely from certain media,
Borislavova is quoted as saying "this is what Google yielded".
The reports on the topic in Thursdays' press write that Interior
Minister Boiko Rashkov said that the prosecuting magistracy had
not yet delivered the list to his Ministry. "It may be the case
that the prosecuting magistracy wants to add some names to the
list, for example, from the former power holders," Rashkov is
quoted is saying.
The Capital weekly has the questions and backgrounds about seven
cases which Petkov has raised with Prosecutor General Ivan
Geshev and which the report describes as "some of the most
blatant cases of inaction on the part of the prosecuting
magistracy".
In a related report capped, "Geshev v. Continue the Change: The
Resistance of the Captured State," Capital says that the
prosecuting magistracy and the anti-corruption commission have
entered the stage of an open confrontation with the government
over the latter's insistence on intensifying the fight against
corruption. The report says that the new power holders seem
adamant that they will not make any concessions in respect of
the reform of the judiciary and the work of the anti-corruption
commission.
24 Chassa interviews Geshev who says that he has no worries and
that in the past two years he has been the most frequently
checked person working for the State. Geshev describes as
"offending for Bulgaria as a nation" the fact that a resignation
of the prosecutor general is being pushed through with
"newspaper clippings". The interviewee says that this time round
he expects that the demand for his removal from the post will
be underpinned by legal, and not politically-motivated,
reasoning. He again reiterates his opinion that "since the mafia
and the oligarchs are attacking him so fiercely" the
prosecuting magistracy is doing its job properly.
ECONOMY
The passage of the 2022 state budget bill on first reading
debate is reported in detail by all newspapers and online news
media. One of the most quoted descriptions of the budget is that
of Finance Minister Assen Vassilev who said this a budget that
will put an end to the "poverty policy-making," that is of
strict financial discipline.
Mediapool.bg says that at the centre of the clash during the
seven-hour non-stop debate on the budget was a dispute of the
philosophy of the budget policy, in particular whether to
continue the strict financial discipline that has been
maintained in the past 25 years, or to opt for moderate budget
deficits and use the resources for investment in economic
growth.
A report on the 2022 draft budget in Sega says that the measures
of the government against the shocking price hikes are chaotic
and belated.
Trud leads with a story which says that financial experts have
rejected the economic forecasts of the government underpinning
the 2022 budget and instead expect a twice higher than projected
inflation and a weak economy in 2022.
24 Chassa has an infographic of the draft 2022 budget.
* * *
All of Friday newspapers and online news outlets report on the
election of the new head of the Energy and Water Regulatory
Commission, Stanislav Todorov, and his expectation that the
price of electricity for household consumers will not go up
after the current moratorium is lifted.
* * *
The leading report in 24 Chassa says that petrol and diesel are
expected to reach three leva per litre, which the daily says has
returned the interest in hybrid cars.
The newspaper interviews the head of the Sofia Commodity
Exchange Vassil Simov who says that speaking about "exchange"
prices of electricity and natural gas is misleading when they
are determined on a trading platform owned by the state - this
he says is unheard of in the world.
* * *
Citing data of the central bank, Troud and Telegraph report that
the number of people with bank deposits of more than one
million leva has decreased by 128 to 1,052 in December 2021 from
a year earlier.
* * *
Douma interviews National Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva on the topic
of debt-collection companies.
* * *
In an interview to Monitor, the head of the National
Vine-growing and Wine-making Chamber, Yordan Chorbardjiski, says
that ten million of illegally distilled hard liquor rakiya are
produced in this country per year. The interviewee expects that
alcoholic beverages will appreciate by an average of 20 per cent
this year.
* * *
The leading report in Monitor warns against fake travel agents
which are taking advantage of the coronavirus restrictions to
mislead customers.
* * *
Monitor says that the tourist chamber in the Black Sea city of
Bourgas urges for having a unified COVID protocol for foreign
holiday makers in the coming summer season.
* * *
In its leading report Telegraph writes that the problem of
parking spaces in many cities has pushed up the price of garages
to almost that of an apartment. ZH
END
/ТЕ/
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