site.btaFrench-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sees Bulgaria as Attractive Country for Investment

The overwhelming majority of the companies that participated in the fourth edition of the survey "Business Environment in Bulgaria" of the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) define Bulgaria as a country attractive for investment, it became clear on Wednesday at the presentation of the results of the survey "Business Environment in Bulgaria" commissioned by FBCCI. Most companies define Bulgaria as attractive for investments and believe that their investments are profitable.

The fourth edition of the survey was conducted among FBCCI members in the period January 31 - April 14, 2025.  

French Ambassador Joel Meyer, the host of the event, stressed, "This tool is very important to assess what the current situation is. It supports the Bulgarian administration and the Embassy of France in Bulgaria in the decision-making process."

Among the official guests were Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the InvestBulgaria Agency, Paul Lambert, Ambassador of Belgium, and Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mihaela Tunar of IPSOS presented the data, clarifying that it was not comparable to the 2019 and 2020 results due to the changed environment.

According to the respondents, the main advantages remain the tax rates and Bulgaria's EU membership. The cost of labour is important for 44% of companies. 41% expect a stable economic environment and equal shares of 27% expect an improvement or deterioration.

More than half of respondents rate the qualification of the workforce positively. 60% plan to hire new staff and 62% will invest in training.

Only 12% of respondents are taking advantage of funding from European projects. When it comes to investment in buildings and equipment, 39% do not plan to invest, compared to 31% who intend to.

Over half approve while less than a quarter are sceptical about the euro changeover. The share of firms facing difficulties has fallen to 36%, with the main problems cited as lack of skilled labour, corruption and administrative inefficiency. Regulatory uncertainty, bureaucracy and political instability were mentioned less frequently.

Three quarters of the companies have started operations in Bulgaria through direct investment. Only 20% have benefited from assistance from FBCCI and 6% from the French Committee of Foreign Trade Advisors. 30% of the firms had difficulties in recruiting staff.

Some 65% of respondents said their investment was profitable and one in four companies adapted successfully. Bureaucracy remains a problem for 30%.

A total of 75% of respondents believe that their projects in Bulgaria are being implemented as planned. Half see the country as suitable for a regional office in the Balkans because of its geopolitical location and EU membership.

About 70% of the companies are socially engaged, mainly in education, environment, disadvantaged people and culture.

Nikolay Pavlov described the survey as "a compass for us to improve our policies". He stressed the country's macroeconomic stability, the need for less administrative burden and investment in technological development.