site.btaPM Borissov: Nearly Lv 2 Bln More in Revenues due to Crackdown on Smuggling in Last 1.5 Years

PM Borissov: Nearly Lv 2 Bln More in Revenues due to Crackdown on Smuggling in Last 1.5 Years

Rakovski, Southern Bulgaria, July 26 (BTA) - Prime Minister
Boyko Borissov said here on Sunday that after the crackdown on 
smuggling rings in the last one and a half years nearly 2
billion leva more were earned in revenues, part of which went
towards the co-financing of EU-funded projects.

Borissov and Environment and Water Minister Ivelina Vassileva
attended the opening of a water treatment facility financed with
 some 58 million leva under Operational Programme Environment.

Borissov said he expected the absorption of EU funds to reach 93
 or 94 per cent this year because all operational programmes are
 working and the mayors, teams and ministries are efficient and
submit projects on time. "Trust between Sofia and Brussels is
building up and you can see that water treatment facilities are
opening every week, which is very important for the environment,
 tourism and people," Borissov added.

He explained that over one billion leva of the proceeds from
smuggling come from tax and economic crimes, and some 400
million leva come from smuggling attempts intercepted at the
border. Some of that money goes towards street repairs and
towards the repayment of debts contracted by the cabinet of what
 Borissov referred to as "Plamen Oresharski and coalition",
which amount to 9 or 10 billion leva.

Borissov thanked the helicopters, firemen and all volunteers
involved in extinguishing the fire in Mt Rila.

The opening of the facility was attended by MPs and politicians
of all political forces and local mayors.