site.btaPrime Minister Borissov: "Bulgaria Has EU's Third Lowest External Debt"

October 31 (BTA)  - "Bulgaria now has the third lowest
external debt in the European Union," Bulgarian Prime Minister
Boyko Borissov told journalists before the start of the Cabinet
meeting here on Thursday. He added that since his Government
took office, the external debt has decreased by 31 per cent and
is planned to reach 19.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the
present term in office. "We spend as much as we earn," the PM
commented.

At this point, Bulgaria is the EU Member State with the lowest
illicit cigarettes trade: 3.4 per cent, Borissov stressed. This
translates into a 3 billion leva increase in budget revenues,
which makes it possible to keep the promise to double teachers'
salaries because the Government prioritizes education. The Prime
 Minister said that the powerholders will honour their
commitment to give public sector employees a 10 per cent pay
rise in 2020.

At the beginning of the Government's term, GERB and its United
Patriots coalition partners committed to achieve a GDP of over
110 billion leva, Borissov recalled, adding that at present GDP
approximates 119 billion leva and may exceed 130 billion leva by
 the end of the term in 2021.

Unemployment is at a record low of some 4 per cent. The Prime
Minister argued that "the only ones who don't work are those who
 don't want to work." "Much more money is allocated for
healthcare, too," he added.

"We fully keep our promises," the PM said. RY/LG


/СН/