site.btaGDP Grows by 30% in 10 Years, Exports More than Double

104 ECONOMY - DEPUTY MINISTER - REMARKS

GDP Grows by 30%
in 10 Years,
Exports More than Double


Sofia, February 24 (BTA) - Bulgaria's gross domestic product has grown by 30 per cent, or by about 30 billion leva, in 10 years, Deputy Economy Minister Alexander Manolev said in the southwestern town of Sandanski on Saturday, addressing the 10th Winter University of the GERB Party's Youth Chapter, GERB's press office reported.

Manolev said annual exports have more than doubled since 2009 and now exceed 56 billion leva. He believes that, on an economic level, Bulgaria has made a major step forward. "We have a historic chance if we preserve our stability and seize available opportunities," he said.

There is only one non-EU country, Turkey, among Bulgaria's top 10 export markets, and trade relations with that country are very important and dynamic, he went on to say. Other major non-EU trade partners to Bulgaria are Serbia, the United States and Russia. China is getting ever closer to the top 10 export markets for Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's private sector creates 10,000 new jobs annually. Investments have risen steadily in recent years, reaching 20 billion leva in 2018, according to early estimates by the National Statistical Institute, Manolev said.

The 10th Winter University of GERB's Youth Chapter was opened by GERB Deputy Chair and Floor Leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov. The event involves 130 young activists. It was organized by the GERB Association and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. LY/VE
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