http://www.maxconsult.bg News of maxconsult.bg http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bansko-Skiing-Zone-Concessionaire-Presents-to-Environment-Minister-Conceptual-Design-for-New-Ski-Gondola/18237/ Sofia, January 4 (BTA) - Meeting with Environment Minister Neno Dimov and the Mayor of Bansko on Thursday, officials of Ulen, the company running the Bansko skiing zone, presented a conceptual design for a second gondola in the skiing zone, said the Environment Ministry. The project will arguably reduce the long wait at the resort\'s only gondola. The controversial project was made public through the news media several days ago. Ulen told the Minister that they are about to hire experts to determine the route for the future gondola and prepare a reasoned proposal. Next, they will ask the Bansko Mayor to start a procedure for preparing a detailed development plan to be put to an environmental impact assessment. The Ulen officials assured the Environment Minister that all procedures required by the environmental legislation, will be strictly observed. The announcement about the meeting of the Ulen representatives with the Minister came as environmentalists are preparing for another day of protests against changes in the management plan for Pirin and plans to broaden the Bansko skiing zone into the National Park. Protests are planned in several cities, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Rousse, Stara Zagora and Veliko Turnovo. At the same time local people and pro-development activists will be holding a demonstration near Simitli on the road linking Sofia with the Greek border. They support the plans for expansion of the skiing zone and for more construction in the buffer zone which now separates the urban areas and the National Park. The environmentalists earned the support of five extra-parliamentary parties Thursday: Yes, Bulgaria!, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, the Greens, the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union and DEOS, who said that the changes in the management plan for the Pirin National Park will not speed up the construction of a new gondola but will surely prompt a construction boom in Bansko and Pirin, building of new ski runs and destruction of primeval forests. They also said that while they are not against a second gondola, they are \"against lawlessness and an oligarchic monopolism, which destroys tourism rather than support it\". \'We call for sustainable development in mountain areas, protection of nature and a wise national strategy for development of winter sports. We will not allow Bulgarian mountains to become a new Sunny Beach,\" the five parties say referring to a Black Sea resort which has become an emblem of overdevelopment. Source: SOFIA, 04.01.2018 18:38 (BTA) https://www.bta.bg/en/news/113006-Bansko-Skiing-Zone-Concessionaire-Presents-to-Environment-Minister-Conceptual-De http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/The-first-20-years-Max-Consult.BG-Ltd.,-Congratulations!/18231/ http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/UPDATED-Sofia-Based-Businessman-Detained/18224/ SOFIA, 07.03.2023 07:01 | UPDATED 07.03.2023 12:10 (BTA) Police and the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office detained a Sofia-based businessman for 24 hours at his office in the centre of the Bulgarian capital on Monday, the Interior Ministry said. The law enforcers responded to a complaint from an employee who said that he had been coerced by the businessman. BTA sources identified the detainee as Veliko Zhelev. Sofia Deputy Regional Prosecutor Borislav Georgiev told a news briefing later on Tuesday that two more people are wanted for involvement in the same case. A former employee of Zehelev\'s was forced to sign documents making a false statement related to property disposal, Georgiev said. The initial probe was for causing bodily harm but was then changed to coercion. Searches were carried out in homes and offices on Monday night, and documents and computers were seized. The supervising prosecutor has yet to decide which prosecution office will probe the case. Bulgarian National Radio reported that police searched Zhelev’s office in Sofia and his homes in Sofia and near Varna (on the Black Sea). The station has information that the police operation is unrelated to the operation of the businessman’s construction companies. Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov said he was surprised by Zhelev’s detention. Zhelev is a former head of the Road Infrastructure Agency and chairs the Board of Directors of Hydrostroy AD. The company describes itself as \"a national leader in the field of design, implementation, maintenance and reconstruction of residential, public, industrial and infrastructure sites\". In July 2022, Capital weekly said that \"together with its old and new informal satellites, the Hydrostroy group is the number one builder in Bulgaria with revenue totaling BGN 450 million for 2020, all generated by central and local government procurement. contracts\". Hydrostroy is involved in a number of controversial road construction projects, including the Hemus Motorway and the Sofia Northern Speed Tangent. /LG/ LYUBOMIR GIGOV, The Sofia Regional Prosecution Office (BTA Photo), source& https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/419154-sofia-based-businessman-detained http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/UPDATED-Bulgaria\s-First-Floating-Solar-Power-Plant-Project-Unveiled-in-Sofia/18225/ SOFIA, 07.03.2023 08:31 | UPDATED 07.03.2023 11:32 (BTA) A major project for building Bulgaria’s first floating solar power plant was presented in Sofia on Tuesday. Construction of the plant in the water area of the Ogosta Dam (Northeastern Bulgaria) is expected to start in about two years’ time and to take between a year and a half and two years, which means that the facility will be commissioned within four years, Profine Energy Bulgaria Managing Director Krum Vasilev told BTA. In his words, the power capacity of the solar park was initially planned at 500 to 800 MW, and the approximate output at 1,350 MWh. The investment depends on the size of the park: it will be EUR 800 million for 800 MW and EUR 500 million for 500 MW (EUR 1 million per 1 MWh), the executive said. The facility can occupy some 850 ha of the 2,000 ha total surface of the reservoir. Vasilev is positive that fish in the dam will not be affected. He attributes the “brewing” protests against the project among the locals to the lack of information. \"We want to talk to them and explain what we are planning,\" he said. The Profine Energy GmbH group, which is based in Waghausel, Germany, has built similar floating parks in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Spain, the CEO of the Bulgarian subsidiary commented. /LG/ LYUBOMIR GIGOV, The Ogosta Dam (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/419188-bulgaria-s-first-floating-solar-power-plant-project-unveiled-in-sofia http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Anti-trust-Watchdog-Imposes-BGN-67-Mln-Fine-on-Lukoil-Bulgaria-for-Abuse-of-Dominant-Position/18212/ SOFIA, 17.02.2023 14:49 (BTA) The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) announced Friday that it has imposed a fine of BGN 67,771,454 on Lukoil-Bulgaria for abuse of dominant position. They regulator has found that the company applied a price squeeze against its competition in the wholesale market for motor fuels in Bulgaria, which may prevent, restrict or distort competition on the fuel markets and affect the interests of consumers. The investigation was initiated at the request of OMV Bulgaria OOD and subsequently joined by Insa Oil OOD and other wholesale market participants, the Commission said. During its investigation, the regulator gathered a huge amount of information from Lukoil-Bulgaria Ltd, Lukoil Neftohim Burgas AD, the Customs Agency and almost all major traders and fuel warehouse holders. CPC stated in an analysis of the data collected that Lukoil-Bulgaria owns more than half of the market and is the leader in the wholesale of motor fuels. The regulator says that thanks to its timely intervention, Lukoil-Bulgaria\'s strategy to gradually capture the wholesale fuel market has been thwarted. In particular, the company tried to create the impression that its new pricing policy imposed on traders in 2021 would lead to lower prices for the end-consumer. A unilateral pricing policy has been applied in the relevant markets, resulting in a price squeeze. The decision of the Commission may be appealed before an administrative court. /NF/ YOANNA VODENOVA, Lukoil-Bulgaria building in Sofia (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/409336-anti-trust-watchdog-imposes-bgn-67-mln-fine-on-lukoil-bulgaria-for-abuse-of-domi http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Contractor-Building-Greece-Bulgaria-Interconnector-to-Pay-Full-Forfeit-for-Delayed-Construction/18213/ SOFIA, 17.02.2023 13:45 (BTA) The Energy Ministry together with the management of ICBG AD held negotiations with the contractor building the Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector project. It was agreed that the full amount of forfeit due to ICBG AD will be paid, the Energy Ministry said in a press release. This agreement marks the end of several months of tense negotiations, Energy Minister Rosen Hristo said, noting that the Greek side was demanding tens of millions related to additional construction activities and the rise in prices, while the Bulgarian side has demands related to compensations for the delay in construction. In Hristov\'s words, the success is the result of the exceptional technical and legal preparation on all matters of dispute, as well as the transparent and construction approach to the defence of Bulgaria\'s position. The active negotiations resulted in an agreement fully defending the interests of ICGB and Bulgaria. The contract with Greek company AVAX is subject to indexation in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and the procedure applicable to all inflation- and COVID-affected contracts. AVAX withdraws all its demands and commits to pay the compensation for the delay. The agreement prevents a subsequent potential arbitration case, Hristov explained. The ICGB company said the details remain confidential information but express satisfaction with the friendly solution to the dispute and the agreements reached, which successfully defend the operator\'s interests. The agreement is to be approved by share holders in ICGB, the Energy Ministry writes. /DS/ DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA, The meeting between Energy Minister Hristov (middle) and ICGB management (Energy Ministry Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/409246-contractor-building-greece-bulgaria-interconnector-to-pay-full-forfeit-for-delay http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Number-of-Companies-Declaring-Bankruptcy-Up-26.8-in-EU,-Down-2.1-in-Q4-of-2022,-QQ/18214/ LUXEMBOURG, 17.02.2023 15:49 (BTA) The number of declarations of bankruptcies submitted by companies in the EU grew by 26.8% in the last quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter, reaching its highest level since 2015, show Eurostat data published on Friday. In Bulgaria, the number of declarations of bankruptcies decreased by 2.1% during the period under review. In the third quarter of 2022, bankruptcies in Bulgaria went down by 10.9% quarter on quarter. In the first and second quarters of the year, their number decreased by 12.4% and 4.3%, respectively. When it comes to registrations of new businesses, in the last quarter of 2022 they dropped by 0.2% in the EU and increased by 0.9% in Bulgaria quarter on quarter. In the first and second quarters of 2022, newly registered companies in Bulgaria grew in number by 3.1% and 3.8%, respectively. Their number decreased by 0.9% in January-March 2022. /DS/ DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA, Source: Eurostat, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/409398-number-of-companies-declaring-bankruptcy-broyat-na-obyavilite-falit-firmi-up-26- http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Expert:-Trade-Turnover-between-Bulgaria,-Austria-Will-Exceed-BGN-3-Bln-in-2023/18199/ SOFIA/VIENNA, 29.01.2023 15:49 (BTA) In an exclusive interview for BTA, Desislava Stoyanova, head of the Commercial and Economic Section of the Bulgaria Embassy in Vienna, said that Austria is the second largest foreign investor in Bulgaria, with an investment volume of some BGN 9.78 billion. The total trade turnover in 2023 is expected to exceed BGN 3 billion. About 350 Austrian companies operate in Bulgaria, employing roughly 300,000 people. According to the latest annual survey conducted by Advantage Austria in Sofia, more than 60% of Austrian companies in Bulgaria rate as good the quality of local suppliers, access to credit and capital, labour costs, as well as customs duties and taxes. However, a serious problem that investors face in Bulgaria is the lack of skilled labour force. Stoyanova pointed out that the tourism sector has a great potential. \"A lot can be done in the field of balneology and specialized forms of tourism - wine, cultural and historical,\" she said. She shared her belief that more and more efforts will be made on Bulgarian side under the Dual Education project, which is based on an Austrian model. The project involves 15 Austrian and German companies that offer apprenticeships in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, retail, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. As strengths that Bulgaria has to offer, Stoyanova listed the country\'s strategic location, being an EU Member State, and the access to certain funds, which companies have as a result. \"Austrian entrepreneurs understand this very well, which is why Austria is a leading investor in Bulgaria,\" she said. There are Austrian companies currently exploring Bulgaria as an investment location for in the energy, metalworking, and construction sectors. Stoyanova noted that the coronavirus pandemic had no impact on the Bulgarian-Austrian trade relations. They were even strengthened. As far as high energy prices are concerned, the expectation is that they will boost the interactions between the two countries. Austria is a leader in energy conservation technologies in all sectors, but also in the development of renewable energy sources. \"Huge investments are being made in research and development in these areas and this is a very promising area of cooperation between Bulgarian and Austrian companies, research institutions and development centres,\" Stoyanova said. Trade with Austria has increased steadily in recent years. Bulgaria\'s exports in 2021 increased by 28.2% compared to 2020. In 2022 it increased by 35.8% compared to 2021. Some of the sectors that account for the largest revenues in trade relations are non-ferrous metals, machinery and components, electrical appliances, construction, pharmaceutical and medical products, agricultural products. According to Stoyanova, tourism has a lot of potential: \"We can do a lot here in the field of balneology, but also in specialized forms of tourism: wine tourism, cultural and historical tourism\". For Bulgarian companies that aim to expand on the Austrian market, Stoyanova shared that this market has very high standards. It is very important to maintain the quality level at a constant level. For technical products in particular, providing maintenance and spare parts is of great importance. The assistance of the Commercial and Economic Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Vienna can also be essential for the success of Bulgarian manufacturers targeting Austria. \"But the most important thing is quality products with a competitive price and persistence, persistence, persistence,\" Stoyanova concluded. /NZ/ NIKOLAY ZABOV, BTA Photo, source:https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/397958-expert-trade-turnover-between-bulgaria-austria-will-exceed-bgn-3-bln-in-2023 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Justice-Minister:-Bulgaria-Has-Been-Struggling-Daily-for-30-Years-to-Achieve-Rule-of-Law-Standards/18189/ SOFIA, 20.01.2023 10:59 (BTA) Bulgaria has been struggling on a daily basis for over 30 years to achieve the rule of law standards, said here on Friday caretaker Justice Minister Krum Zarkov during the Law and the Business Environment in Bulgaria conference, organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. According to Zarkov, Bulgaria has made huge progress, but there is much left to be accomplished. \"I have the honour and responsibility to lead one of the main missions within the caretaker Government, which was not to allow political turmoil delay us on the path we have chosen. Many important bills were drafted for this purpose,\" he said. According to the caretaker Justice Minister, politicians have no right to waste the Bulgarian public\'s time. He noted that given the current political situation, the adoption of legislation depends on two factors – time and political will. He said there is will, because it is present in \"the public opinion about Bulgaria\". The best guarantee that these reforms will happen is that the Bulgarian public demands them, the caretaker Justice Minister said. /YV/ ROUMEN YANOVSKI, Justice Minister Krum Zarkov at the Law and the Business Environment in Bulgaria conference in Sofia, Jan. 20, 2023 (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/393204-justice-minister-bulgaria-has-been-struggling-daily-for-30-years-to-achieve-rul http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Media-Review:-Jan.-20/18190/ SOFIA, 20.01.2023 12:35 (BTA) HOME AFFAIRS As all other media, “Hello, Bulgaria” on NOVA.TV focuses on today’s leaders’ meeting announced by Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Korneliya Ninova who holds the third government-forming mandate. Democratic Bulgaria, Continue the Change and Vazrazhdane will not attend the meeting at the National Assembly. GERB, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) and Bulgarian Rise will. Ninova already said that if agreement in the left’s priorities is not reached at this meeting the efforts to compile a government will not continue. *** \"At the moment GERB are trying to present themselves as the dialogical, the responsible, taking national responsibility to pull the country out in a difficult moment. The dance is not a tango, but it looks like a waltz.\" Trud quotes political scientist Lyubomir Stefanov as saying on Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), commenting on the leaders\' meeting called by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) with the third government-forming mandate. \"Boyko Borissov has to get back at Korneliya Ninova for one of her jokes that she was waiting for the two of them to meet like men. He has now hit the right occasion to remind her of the gesture,\" he said. Asked if this was a possible new coalition, the political scientist replied that there are no impossible things, but \"In politics, when messages are spoken, when political issues are spoken in a human, understandable way, it should be possible to form a coalition. This is the one I think tends to happen zero.\" \"Kostadin Kostadinov is going to make one last bet against the bank to see how much his party\'s ceiling is,\" Stefanov noted, adding, \"The electoral ceiling of Vazrazhdane may go up quite a bit, but it has been hit. If up to this point it was explainable why with no one anything, at some point you have to start showing your supporters that you are doing something, the political scientist said. \"The president\'s positions have started coming out through his nose. More and more disapproval is increasing. There is no longer a politician who has a positive balance between approval and disapproval. The president, in my view, is now going beyond the denier bark, the very razor thin edge, because it has become clear to his supporters what game he is playing. It is, unfortunately, not in the interest of Bulgarian democracy and the stability of the state,\" Stefanov stressed. According to him, the handing of the third mandate to the BSP has shown that the president does not want to form a government. He expressed the opinion that the president did this because he felt that his opponents in the face of Continue the Change, GERB and Democratic Bulgaria were ready to enter into a coalition agreement. He said the President should stop playing with political party projects because he has not been successful so far. \"This is a wrong practice and it would be good for the president to stop practicing it. It would be good if the people have a real choice and not an imputed one.\" It is unlikely that there will be a new coalition between Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change, Stefanov further opined. According to him, it is a matter of internal judgment and objective conversation between the two formations. According to him, such a coalition should not be made because their differences are coming out more and more. The political scientist believes that the two formations should highlight their own political profiles. According to him, the parties should start talking to citizens who do not vote. They are growing alarmingly and I want to see a commitment to them, Stefanov was adamant. If parties manage to get their messages beyond their narrow party cores, I think coalitions will be much easier in terms of getting support for declared political intentions, he added. Referring to the caretaker government’s report on its work, Stefanov commented that people’s life did not improve thanks to it, or to the efforts of the President, but rather to the EU decisions and everyone should know their place. *** Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds Management Atanas Pekanov is quoted by BNR as commenting on interpretation related to his possible nomination as a future caretaker prime minister in case the BSP fails with the third government-forming mandate. \"I think Bulgaria has a great prime minister at the moment. I have known him for a long time, I work great with him, so I would not comment on such speculations. In the meantime, the constitutional procedure continues. I also wish success to the party that has received the mandate. The President has judged that it has the best chance of making it. We are looking at the leaders\' meeting today and what will come out of it.\" Asked if he is invited he would nevertheless accept, Pekanov answered that he is currently focused on quite grave matters related to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, Bulgaria is currently in a constitutional procedure [of cabinet-forming talks] and an absolute chance should be given to Ninova whom he wished success. He also expressed hope the BSP would find a solution to the current difficult political situation . *** \"The only proposal during the BSP National Council was to give a mandate for talks with all parliamentary groups. The so-called \"internal opposition\" in the BSP got used to talking first and thinking later. They did not take into account that by claiming that the BSP should return the mandate immediately, they were compromising the position of the president, whose mouthpieces they are,\" BSP National Council member Rumen Ovcharov said on the air of NovaNews, as quoted by the Duma daily. The BSP will look for what unites parties, not what divides them. \"If we look for what divides, we go back to where we were. First, we need to see these five things that need to be done and whether we agree to do them. These are the budget - with clear parameters of that budget - both social and financial. The other one is Schengen - what are we still doing to protect our national interest,\" Ovcharov said. He said that a figure to occupy the position of prime minister is yet to be found. It is important to have someone who can be trusted, not someone who will say one thing and do another, as happened in the previous cabinet,\" he said. According to Ovcharov, Belene N-plant should be built: \"Not even two, but four units, plus the two at Kozloduy N-plant. *** Before the leaders\' meeting: is a four-formation cabinet possible? \"There are chances for a government in theory, but in practice - no. GERB managed to break the coalition formed some time ago. Borissov managed to split them to collect more mandates,\" journalist Nidal Algafari commented on \"Today Morning\" show on bTV. \"We are heading for elections. The election campaign is already starting,\" he added, but explained that a large number of voters will not go to the polls. \"MRF, GERB and BSP should find a way and common language. There are points around which they all unite. \"Yes, Bulgaria\" can be counted among the system parties, but they have concerns about whether they will skip the elections. If they unite with Continue the Change, they will not increase their result, but there will be fewer forces in parliament,\" Algafari said. *** “Minekov Declared Air A Monument of Culture”, Trud News reports, featuring a photo of an undeveloped urban area in the southern city of Plovdiv. The piece carries the entire story about the old tobacco warehouse building in the city acquired by Capital Holding Group, which caretaker Culture Minister Velislav Minekov accused of destroying a monument of culture in 2022. Twenty-eight days after the semi-collapsed building was demolished and the site was cleared, Minekov stubbornly and in violation of the Monuments of Culture Act declared the empty site on No. 51-53 \"Hristo Botev\" Blvd. a monument of culture, the company claims. *** FOREIGN AFFAIRS The secretary of the King Boris III Bulgarian cultural club in Ohrid, Hristian Pendikov, was beaten up in a local catering establishment Thursday evening, Vuktor Stoyanov of the Macedonia Foundation said on NOVA.TV. Stoyanov specified that Pendikov had tried to run away after the initial attack, but then another three had attacked him whom he did not know personally. The young man is now in hospital with a broken jaw and other injuries and an operation is scheduled for Monday, Stoyanov said. North Macedonian authorities confirmed for NOVA.TV that the attacked man is in hospital with a broken jaw and other head injuries. Pendikov identified two of the attackers as public figures in Ohrid known to belong to the underworld. \"People who have stated their anti-Bulgarian sentiments. We all expect the authorities in North Macedonia to do their job\", Stoyanov stressed. \"Violence, hatred and discrimination must stop! I expect an immediate reaction from the authorities in both countries! This situation is intolerable. The political class, the media and academia have created an atmosphere of hatred and persecution of Bulgarians. The European institutions will of course be informed! The young man is in hospital! The police have been informed!\", MEP Andrey Kovatchev said on his Facebook account. ECONOMY Civil Liability May More than Double, Bulgarian Rise MP Liliya Nedeva says in an interview for Trud News. Nedeva sees no reason for the recently adopted amendments to the Insurance Code concerning the payment of compensation of victims of road accidents under the Green Card system. The amendment to the Insurance Code creates a requirement for immediate and unconditional payment in the event of road accidents abroad by the National Bureau of Bulgarian Motor Insurers (NBBMI) to other national bureaux. Nedeva sees no reason for interference in the matter, arguing that the European Green Card system has existed since 1949 and the insurance certificate was introduced in 1953. The adoption of the amendments would mean draining Bulgarian insurance companies which could lead to bankruptcies. This would also mean the price of civil liability would at least double. *** The frameworks in which the SC tried to bring the Council of Ministers into a negotiation process to open up and somehow change the Recovery and Sustainability Plan guaranteed the failure of these negotiations. Parliament is in violation of its own Rules of Procedure and Organisation insofar as the issue was considered by only one committee, former environment minister Borislav Sandov said in \"The Day Begins\" show on Bulgarian National Television (BNT). He explained that the President of the National Assembly had addressed two other committees, the one on the environment and the one on European affairs, which had not met and had not expressed an opinion. Only the Committee on Energy had an opinion. The decision of the National Assembly in fact says that we will not decarbonise - something that is impossible because of the commitment Bulgaria has already made to close the coal plants in 2038. He explained that the President of the National Assembly had turned to two other committees, the one on environment and the one on European affairs, which had not met and had not expressed an opinion. Only the Committee on Energy had an opinion. The decision of the National Assembly in fact says that we will not decarbonise - something that is impossible because of the commitment Bulgaria has already made to close the coal plants in 2038. *** Trying to bring down food prices - businesses took money for the electricity, but people didn\'t feel it. Caretaker Economy Minister Nikola Stoyanov said that controlling inflation was the most serious challenge in the work of the cabinet. They are negotiating with chains, asking them for information on how they calculate the value of the goods they sell, \"24 hours\" learned after the government\'s report. Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policies and caretaker Transport and Communications Minister Hristo Alexiev said his experts pointed out that more than BGN 7 billion came into the business as aid for the expensive electricity. Until the end of 2022, the industry received 100% aid, when energy exchange prices were over BGN 250/MWh. Since January 1, the threshold has been lowered to BGN 200, so in practice electricity for businesses has become 20% cheaper but retail prices have not budged so far. *** \"Crazy Prices Are Killing the Middle Class in Bulgaria\" is the title of an analysis in 24 Chasa by Lyuboslav Kostov, Chief Economist of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB). Inflation in Bulgaria is not driven by consumption and income growth cannot be contained. Capitalism in Bulgaria is beginning to develop into feudalism. In a very simplified version it can be said that there are only two types of taxes: the first is the one the public can see. The second can neither be seen nor evaluated in advance. Inflation is of the second kind. It is the most insidious tax levied on Bulgarian society, and disproportionately so. It hits hardest those who consume most of their income, and these are usually people on low and middle wages. In fact, inflation updates the level of all prices in the economy to a nominally higher level, without caring about preserving people\'s purchasing power. That was the main problem of 2022. All the politicians talked about high inflation but did little to curb it and compensate people\'s incomes for the loss of real purchasing power. Unfortunately, today, middle class jobs cannot guarantee a lifestyle that matches average standards. In 2023, these are already two different concepts. In order to sustain consumption and production, wage growth for workers cannot be postponed because this inevitably leads to a reduction in the volumes that can be purchased. Aggregate demand is the main driver of real economic growth in Bulgaria, and if it were not for it, our country would certainly have fallen into recession a few years ago. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian social model is modelled on the Anglo-Saxon model, which cannot thrive in these latitudes. The funds for meeting needs are formed on the basis of the so-called residual principle, i.e. the limits set in the budgets. These budgets created surpluses and zero deficits and kept money for the real economy in the form of \'buffers\' against unforeseen circumstances. It is no coincidence that not a single fiscal framework of a budget in terms of revenue, expenditure and balance, matches in terms of actual performance the parameters originally set. In our country, every year, without exception, a tighter than necessary fiscal consolidation has taken place. For example, 2022 ended on a deficit of 2.9%, when it was set to be 4.1%. This means that the state did not spend the nearly BGN 2 billion foreseen in the original estimates when the budget was adopted. This behaviour has become a diagnosis over the last decade in terms of how public finances are managed. By copying strategic programmes and recipes for governance of countries and peoples from other continents, the neoliberal instead of the European model of politics gradually took root in Bulgaria. Its roots are already too deep - they have penetrated the minds and behaviour of business, changed the objectives and content of social dialogue, created governance norms to which every government adheres regardless of its party colour.. *** “Aid - directly to the people, so there will be consumption” is the title of an editorial in 24 Chasa which asks why aid should not be given directly to the people instead of the businesses which are obviously accumulating excess profits. *** Trud quotes former social minister Hristina Hristova as saying on Bulgarian National Radio that the revisions regarding the People with Disabilities Act and the medical expert evaluation board decisions are good news to the disabled. According to the amendments, in the event of delays in the issuance of a medical expert evaluation board decision, in cases of re-certification, people with disabilities will retain their rights and financial and social support for them will continue. Their financial and targeted support, including free vignette stickers, entitlement to personal assistance, assistant support, and various tax benefits, will not be interrupted. /BR/ BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, Dailies (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/393367-media-review-jan-20 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Today\s-Observances:-Jan.-20/18191/ SOFIA, 19.01.2023 21:27 (BTA) The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Saint Euthymius the Great. On this date, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also honours the memory of Partiarch Euthymius of Turnovo, the last church leader of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396) who was canonized as a saint. In the absence of King Ivan Shishman, Euthymius led the defence of the capital Turnovo during the siege of the city by Sultan Bayazid I in 1393. On this date in Bulgarian history: 1912: The first Bulgarian airplane, \"Prince Boris of Turnovo,\" flies near St Petersburg, Russia. 1965: The first issue of \"The World in Photos and Cartoons\" is published by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). Renamed \"Paraleli\" on January 1, 1970. Published until 2010. /NF/ ROUMEN YANOVSKI, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/393098-today-s-observances-jan-20 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Construction-of-Railway-Section-Petarch-–-Dragoman-Begins/18193/ SLIVNITSA, WESTERN BULGARIA, 20.01.2023 12:19 (BTA) A sod-turning ceremony near the town of Slivnitsa on Friday launched the construction of the railway section from Petarch to Dragoman and the construction of the signalling and telecommunication systems of the section Volujak - Dragoman. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds Management Atanas Pekanov, Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Krassimir Papukchiiski, Regional Governor of Sofia Region Radoslav Stoychev and Director General of the National Railway Infrastructure Company Zlatin Krumov. \"We are launching an important project because the issue of rail transport should be a priority for all Bulgarian governments. I am glad that the project will be financed with European funds. It is important that the results of all projects implemented with European funds are visible and reach the people,\" Pekanov said. He stressed that all developed countries focus on rail transport, which Bulgaria should do as well, as this mode of transport is convenient and environmentally friendly. The construction of railway track, overhead contact network and facilities on the railway section Petarch - Dragoman, and the design, construction and author\'s supervision of signalling and telecommunication systems on the section Volujak - Dragoman are part of a project for modernization of the railway line Sofia - Dragoman - Serbian border, section Volujak - Dragoman, which is implemented with co-financing from the Cohesion Fund through the Operational Programme on Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014-2020. /RY/ , MATEY TODOROV, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/393265-construction-of-railway-section-petarch-dragoman-begins http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Energy-Minister:-Energy-Is-the-Sector-that-Needs-the-Most-a-Long-Term-Vision,-Consistency-in-Policy-in-Crucial/18185/ SOFIA, 17.01.2023 12:15 (BTA) Energy is the sector that currently has the greatest need for a long-term vision, said the caretaker Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov as he presented a national strategy for the development of energy in Bulgaria for the next 30 years during a Sofia round table. Hristov said that in order to have a chance to renegotiate the commitments in the energy chapter of the Recovery Plan, the government needs to present an alternative that clearly shows that this renegotiation does not involve Bulgaria giving up on meeting the decarbonization targets that Europe has set, and that it will be one of the leading countries in achieving them. He added that the government must use in doing that \"an approach that preserves national interests and our energy security\". Rosen Hristov said again that it is high time to determine whether we develop nuclear energy or not. Europe is divided on this issue. Leading economies such as Germany have taken the path of abandoning nuclear energy. Other leading countries like France, Sweden are not only not giving up, but are developing and investing in this sector, Hristov pointed out. The draft strategy presented by Minister Hristov says that Bulgaria\'s energy sector currently accounts for a significant share of GDP. Last year this country exported over 12 TWh of electricity with revenues of EUR 3 billion, Hristov said. He added that these funds were mainly used to offset high domestic electricity prices for industrial consumers, enabling the national economy to remain competitive and protecting the country from a major recession. In 2022, the amount of electricity produced increased by 5.7% over the previous year. The growth comes from increases in electricity generated at condensing power plants (by 4 TWh), renewable energy (0.3 TWh) and hydroelectric power (0.26 TWh). \"Thanks to the fact that we mainly use domestic energy sources, including coal, nuclear electricity, we did not have this dependence on gas, as many countries in Europe and we are successfully overcoming the challenges,\" Hristov noted. Bulgaria is a net exporter and covers the electricity needs for its own consumption and the shortage in neighbouring countries, the document says. The minister noted that Bulgaria is the third largest exporter of electricity in Europe and the only one in its region, and exports to all neighbouring countries. Forecasts show that this trend will persist in the coming years. Ukraine and Moldova are joining the countries in need of electricity and they are asking Bulgaria to help them out with supplies. /NF/, Energy Minister Rossen Hristov at a round table on a new energy strategy, Sofia, Jan. 17 (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/391308-energy-minister-energy-is-the-sector-that-needs-the-most-a-long-term-vision-co http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Deputy-PM-Pekanov:-It-Is-Hard-to-Reduce-Harmful-Emissions-without-Closing-Power-Units/18180/ SOFIA, 08.01.2023 20:59 (BTA) Reducing harmful emissions without closing power units is hard to achieve in the present environment, there is no clear mechanism how to make that happen, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov said on bTV on Sunday. He was commenting on Bulgaria’s commitment to the EU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) to close down its coal-fired power plants. In his words, it will be very hard to reduce emissions in Bulgaria this year and the next, because coal-fired plants are profitable at the moment. In addition to generating huge profits that return to the State, they contribute to the region’s energy security. However, the European Green Deal continues to be relevant. According to Pekanov, Bulgaria should seek a middle position and more realistic commitments. He also said that many jobs will be lost but these should be provided in new, more lasting industries. Renegotiating the NRRP is a long process that will block the resources under the next installments, he noted, adding that no country has done that thus far. Pekanov recalled that the NRRP has been public since April 2022. In the field of decarbonisation, Bulgaria has committed to each year reduce by 10% the harmful emissions from its coal-fired power plants. The NRRP was signed by the regular government of Kiril Petkov. “Those were the hardest talks with the European Commission, we failed to unite over some agreements with the European Commission on decarbonisation. They wanted clear and exact commitments, and we could not make such,” the Deputy PM explained. /DS/ DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov, Sofia, Dec. 6, 2022 (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/386807-deputy-pm-pekanov-it-is-hard-to-reduce-harmful-emissions-without-closing-power- http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Patent-Office:-Bulgarian-SMEs-Eligible-for-Grant-Aid-to-Cover-Up-to-90-of-Intellectual-Property-Protection-Costs/18175/ SOFIA, 02.01.2023 08:00 (BTA) TAGS Created BG Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises are eligible for EU grant aid to cover between 50 and 90% of the costs of having their intellectual property protected, by a maximum reimbursement of EUR 1,500, the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) said. A total of 12,989 requests at EU level were submitted in 2022 to the Ideas Powered for business SME Fund for grants totalling EUR 3,750,172.60, and the sums paid averaged EUR 500. In 2021 as many as 77% of the SMEs that requested grants were first-time intellectual property applicants, and 52% of the beneficiaries said that would not seek protection of their intellectual property without the SME Fund\'s support. Following up on this success, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which implements the grant scheme, has reason to continue the operation of the Fund, increase its budget, and update some of the actions so as to respond as much as possible to SMEs\' needs, the BPO commented. In another substantial change, the period for activation of each of the four vouchers claiming a grant has been reduced to two months, extendable to up to four months. \"In Bulgaria, SMEs traditionally account for three-quarters of the total employment and generate nearly 65% of the value added in the national economy,\" says BPO President Vladia Borisova. SMEs are precisely those that offer innovative solutions to a number of pressing challenges and help disseminate innovations Europewide, she adds. Despite this, just 10% of Europe\'s SMEs hold registered intellectual property rights. Therefore, they need support for boosting their competitiveness through better protection and use of intellectual property rights. /LG/ LYUBOMIR GIGOV, The Bulgarian Patent Office (BTA Photo), source:https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/383882-patent-office-bulgarian-smes-eligible-for-grant-aid-to-cover-up-to-90-of-intel http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Base-Interest-Rate-Up-at-1.42-as-of-January-1/18176/ SOFIA, 30.12.2022 18:03 (BTA) The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Friday announced a base interest rate (simple per annum interest) of 1.42% as of January 1, 2023. The central bank began to incrase the rate from October this year when from 0% it rose to 0.49% for the first time since 2016. In November the base interest rate rose to 0.59% and in December to 1.3% based on the transactions of the interbank market. With the higher base interest rate the penalty interest increases too which is plus 10% over. It is set twice annually in July and January, which means that as of January the National Revenue Agency has to factor in the higher rate. /DD/ PETYA PETROVA, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/383484-base-interest-rate-up-at-1-42-as-of-january-1 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Marry-Christmas-and-Happy-New-Year-from-Max-Consult-.-BG-!/18170/ DEAR OUR PARTNERS AND FRIENDS, another exciting year has passed, full of challenges, interesting ventures and successful projects. Now, on the threshold of the New Year, which may be for all of you healthier, better and more successful than those before it, we thank you for the opportunity to work and seek success together, as it was a pleasure! WE WISH YOU HEALTH, HEALTH AND HEALTH AGAIN! And let there be more smiles and joy, luck and true friends. May the New Year 2023 bring to all of you and your families and loved ones many more successful endeavors and job satisfaction, and with a sincere and personal wish to share many pleasant moments in the future as well! Happy and peaceful welcome to the bright holidays! The MaxConsult.BG team http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgaria-Germany-Trade-May-Exceed-EUR-10-Bln-in-2022/18156/ SOFIA/BERLIN, 12.11.2022 10:35 (BTA) This year Bulgaria has a chance to achieve a new record and exceed EUR 10 billion of trade with Germany, said Aneta Grouytcheva, an economic adviser at the Commercial and Economic Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Berlin, in an interview with BTA. For the first eight months of 2022, exports to Germany exceeded EUR 4.4 billion and imports - 3.4 billion. Trade in goods amounted to nearly EUR 7.8 billion, compared with 6.4 billion in the same period of the previous year, she said. According to Grouytcheva, there is an unexhausted reserve in Bulgaria’s relations with the federal states of the former East Germany, which have made remarkable progress in their economic development in recent years. She pointed out that the series of crises is a huge challenge, but at the same time an opportunity that we should take advantage of, because German companies are looking for alternative ways to carry out their activities at relatively close geographical distances and under more favourable production conditions. \"The competition is strong, but Bulgaria has a lot to offer and we should be the proactive party in this process,\" the Bulgarian commercial attaché in Berlin told BTA. The main interest from domestic companies in Berlin is to develop activities in the fields of construction, IT technologies and the creative economy. According to Grouytcheva however the German market is easier to enter than to stay in. \"German businesses are looking for accuracy, quality and precision and if the high level cannot be sustained then trust is quickly lost. What is worse, this damages Bulgaria\'s image, which, as we know, is very difficult to recover. There are Bulgarian companies that have already established themselves for years on the German market as reliable and honest partners, and I am sure that this costs them daily efforts,\" she said and recommended participation in exhibitions and fairs in Germany to those companies that want to do business in the country. /MT/ MATEY TODOROV, BTA Photo, https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/359093-bulgaria-germany-trade-may-exceed-eur-10-bln-in-2022 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Specially-Branded-\Euromobile\-to-Promote-Euro-Changeover-around-Bulgaria/18157/ SOFIA, 12.11.2022 10:09 (BTA) A specially branded \"Euromobile\" will travel around Bulgaria 100 days before the introduction of the euro in order to inform residents of large and small, remote settlements about the single European currency. This is part of the Communication Strategy for Information and Publicity of Bulgaria\'s Accession to the Euro Area, adopted by the Coordination Council for Preparation of Bulgaria for Euro Area Membership and published by the Ministry of Finance. The visit of the Euromobile will be promoted by public figures. Due to concerns that traders will round up prices to the detriment of consumers during the changeover from the lev to the euro, an \'Honest Trader\' campaign will be organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, together with the Commission for Consumer Protection and representatives of NGOs. Those traders who comply with the rules for accurate conversion of prices of their products/services from BGN to EUR, and for understandable and correct price indication during the dual pricing period, will receive an \"Honest Trader\" sticker. Traders who deliberately violate the rules will be sanctioned and their names will also be put on a black list which will be published on the website of the Commission through other information channels. According to the Communication Strategy, the design of the euro coins with the Bulgarian symbol will be chosen by a national vote. A competition will be announced for the images of the one and two euro coins, as well as the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents. Furthermore, all households will receive letters with information about the introduction of the euro, the security features of euro banknotes and coins, and the possible ways of exchanging currency. The letters will be accompanied by calculator cards, which will enable every citizen to understand how the conversion from euro to lev will be carried out. Starter sets of euro coins, one side of which will have Bulgarian symbols, will be offered for sale to citizens. In this way, people will be able to get to know the appearance of Bulgarian euro coins before the introduction of the new currency. Pensioners will receive the sets together with the cash payment of their pension. /MT/ MATEY TODOROV, BTA Photo, https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/359083-specially-branded-euromobile-to-promote-euro-changeover-around-bulgaria http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Employees-under-Labour-Contracts-Down-0.2-in-September,-YY/18158/ SOFIA, 11.11.2022 14:33 (BTA) According to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) published on Friday, at the end of September 2022, the number of employees under labour contracts decreased by 32,000, or 1.4%, as compared to the end of June 2022 and reached 2.28 million. The highest drop was observed in economic activities: Accommodation and food service activities - by 17.0%, Arts, entertainment and recreation and Real estate activities - both by 2.2%. The highest increase in the number of employees was recorded in economic activities: Information and communication - up by 1.1% and Education - by 1%. The biggest relative share of employees in economic activities was in Manufacturing (20.5%) and in Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (16.7%). At the end of September 2022, the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 5,300, or by 0.2% year on year. The highest decrease in absolute figures was observed in economic activities: Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (7,300), Manufacturing (7,100) and Construction (5,000). The highest increase was recorded in Information and communication (6,800) in Administrative and support service activities (5,400). In percentages, the highest year-on-year decrease at the end of September 2022, was in the construction sector (by 3.9%), Accommodation and food service activities (2.6%), and Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (2.4%). The highest increase was reported in Real estate activities, up by 8.1%, and in Information and communication up by 6.1%. The average monthly wage of the employees under labour contract in July 2022 was BGN 1,750, it was 1,693 in August, and 1,787 in September. In the third quarter of 2022, in comparison with the second quarter of the year, the average monthly wage increased by 0.8% and reached BGN 1,743. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in Agriculture, forestry and fishing (by 7.8%), Public administration and defence, compulsory social security (7.3%), and Arts, entertainment, and recreation (6.1%). The highest decrease was recorded in Financial and insurance activities by 7.5% and in Mining and quarrying by 7.3%. The average monthly wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2022 rose by 14.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2021. The highest growth rates were recorded in Agriculture, forestry and fishing (up by 17.8%), and in Public administration and defence, compulsory social security, and Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, both up by 17.3%. /VE/ YOANNA VODENOVA, BTA Photo, https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/358679-employees-under-labour-contracts-down-0-2-in-september-y-y http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Three-Day-Forum-for-Promotion-of-Bulgarian-Wine-and-Winemaking-Starts-in-Sofia/18159/ SOFIA, 11.11.2022 14:04 (BTA) The eleventh edition of the largest Bulgarian wine forum, DiVino.Taste, starts in Sofia\'s Inter Expo Center on Friday. Lasting three days, the forum is a professional platform for direct communication and direct contacts between Bulgarian wine producers and restaurants, distributors and end customers. Di Vino starts with a b2b panel on Friday afternoon and will be open for all visitors later in the day, said the organizers. The exhibition will bring together 80 of the best Bulgarian producers, each participating with a maximum of seven wines. Each visitor will have direct contact with the people behind each of the participating wineries and will be able to taste and learn about their concept and philosophy of wine making. More than 500 of the best Bulgarian wines will be available for visitors to taste. The organizers have also prepared a busy program of master classes, workshops and presentations. Over the past years DiVino.Taste has become the most successful event for the promotion of quality Bulgarian wine and winemaking. The number of exhibitors has grown from 37 in the first edition in 2011 to 84 in November 2019. In the last edition in 2021, 65 wine makers took part despite the COVID restrictions. Visitors have also doubled, from some 3,000 in 2011 to over 6,000 in the last two years. /NF/ DiVino. Taste aims to promote quality Bulgarian wine and winemakers (Photo by DiVino ) https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/358740-three-day-forum-for-promotion-of-bulgarian-wine-and-winemaking-starts-in-sofia http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/UPDATED-Bulgaria-in-European-Autumn-Economic-Forecast:-Economic-Expansion-to-Slow-Down-in-2023,-Higher-Growth-Returns-in-2024/18160/ BRUSSELS, 11.11.2022 12:42 | UPDATED 11.11.2022 13:00 (BTA) Economic expansion is expected to slow down in the second half of 2022 and in 2023, before higher growth resumes in 2024, the European Commission writes of Bulgaria in its autumn economic forecast for the European economy released Friday. Price increases and higher borrowing costs are set to weigh on household consumption. Export growth is forecast to slow down, in line with the subdued foreign demand until the end of 2023 and then rebound in 2024. The EC expects that increased EU funds absorption, especially of recovery and resilience funding, will support aggregate investment. Inflation is projected to gradually slow down and GDP growth to accelerate from 1.6% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2024. The government deficit is forecast to decrease to 3.4% of GDP in 2022 and further to 2.6% in 2023. Here is what else the European Economic Forecast says of Bulgaria: Annual Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation is expected to have peaked at 15.6% in September, as the effects from the energy and food price hikes gradually abate. GDP growth is forecast to decelerate from 3.1% in 2022 to 1.1% in 2023 on account of lower domestic and foreign demand and then to pick up to 2.4% in 2024, as external conditions improve. Consumer sentiment deteriorated in 2022-Q3, indicating stagnation in household consumption by the end of the year. Household consumption is expected to remain subdued thorougout 2023 and then to pick up gradually in 2024, as inflation pressures abate. An important factor that is set to rein in private demand is the assumed higher interest rates in the next two years. The dynamic growth in exports so far, is forecast to decelerate markedly in the second half of 2022 and in 2023 and then to accelerate moderately in 2024, broadly following external demand. On the labour market, following unemployment of 4.6% in August and strong wage increases in the public, the services and manufacturing sectors, the expected slowdown in both domestic and foreign demand dynamics, is projected to supress hiring decisions and restrain further rapid wage increases. Wages are expected to grow by 9% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024. The general government deficit is forecast to decrease to 3.4% of GDP in 2022 as the growth in revenue is projected to more than offset the growth in expenditure and to continue its downward path over the forecast period. Increasing prices of products and in particular of those subject to excise duties, as well as growing labour income, are the main drivers of the increases in tax revenue. Measures to mitigate the impact of high energy prices are expected to have a net budgetary effect of 2% of GDP in 2022 as they are partly financed by a levy imposed to the windfall revenues of enterprises in the energy sector and collected by the Electricity System Security Fund. Such measures are expected to continue in 2023. The total cost of pandemic support measures is projected to fall from 3.8% of GDP in 2021 to less than 1% of GDP in 2022, and together with exceptional increases in wages of some categories of public sector personel are set to phase out as of 2023. At the same time, pension system amendments adopted in 2021 and 2022 and transfers related to the people fleeing Ukraine continue to weigh on public finances. Public investment is expected to increase, mainly supported by EU financing. Until the adoption of a budget law for 2023, other expenditure items are going to follow the monthly execution of last year. In this context, the budget deficit is forecast to fall to 2.8% of GDP in 2023 and to 2.5% of GDP in 2024. Bulgaria\'s general government debt is set to decrease to 22.5% of GDP in 2022 benefiting from large cash disbursements from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, provided that all milestones and targets of the national recovery plan are satisfactorily fulfilled. Debt-to-GDP ratio is forecast to increase thereafter and reach 25.6% in 2024./NF/ Bulgarian GDP, EC, https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/358660-bulgaria-in-european-autumn-economic-forecast-economic-expansion-to-slow-down-i http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Presidents-of-Bulgaria,-Egypt-Consider-Cooperation-in-Energy,-Economy/18146/ SOFIA, 26.09.2022 20:17 (BTA) Ways to bolster Bulgaria\'s cooperation with Egypt in the field of energy and the economy were in the focus of a telephone conversation between the two countries\' presidents Rumen Radev and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President\'s Press Secretariat in Sofia reported on Monday. The two leaders concurred that the mutual confidence between their countries provides an excellent foundation for an all-around development of bilateral partnership. Radev and El-Sisi expressed their shared view that Egypt is in a position to reinforce its energy partnership not only with Bulgaria but also with other countries in the region during the ongoing energy crisis. Egypt exports liquefied natural gas and electricity, the press release noted. El-Sisi expressed Cairo\'s interest in deeper cooperation with Sofia in renewable energy sources, electric vehicle manufacturing and the production of electric vehicle batteries. The presidents agreed that a delegation of Bulgarian experts will visit Egypt to discuss concrete projects in these areas. Radev praised Egypt\'s role as a regional factor for security and stability in the Middle East and North Africa, in the fight against trafficking in human beings and in controlling migrant movements to Europe. The need for joint actions against climate change and the forthcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt also featured high on the agenda of the telephone conversation between the two presidents. Radev repeated his invitation for El-Sisi to visit Bulgaria. /RY/ VALENTIN EVSTATIEV, The national flags of Bulgaria and Egypt (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/333928-presidents-of-bulgaria-egypt-consider-cooperation-in-energy-economy http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Environment-Pillar-Is-Most-Important-for-Sofia-Airport---Airport-CEO/18147/ SOFIA, 26.09.2022 19:10 (BTA) The environment pillar is the most important for Sofia Airport, along with the social pillar, its CEO Jesus Caballero Pinto told a high-level conference in Sofia on SMEs, social economy enterprises, crafts, liberal professions: opportunities and challenges of the green transition. It was organized by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association. BTA is a media partner of the forum. Jesus Caballero said that an airport is a source of carbon emissions through its normal activities. A second source of emissions are the companies and people around the airport. The third source are emissions from the aircraft and their operators. The electricity used by the airport accounts for about 80% of the first two sources of emissions, he said. That is why Sofia Airport is planning to commission this country\'s largest solar farm, which will reduce emissions by 80% and protect the airport from the surge in electricity prices. There are also plans to use batteries to store the excess energy generated in the daytime so it can be used in the nighttime. Another source of emissions is the air conditioning of the buildings, Jesus Caballero added. The plan is to use geothermal energy for both heating and cooling. Still another planned measure is to increase the thermal efficiency of the terminals. /RY/ DIANA DUKOVSKA, Sofia Airport CEO Jesus Caballero Pinto (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/333899-environment-pillar-is-most-important-for-sofia-airport-airport-ceo http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgaria-Initiates-Establishment-of-Balkan-Cultural-Operator-Network/18148/ SOFIA, 26.09.2022 19:32 (BTA) Bulgaria is initiating the establishment of a Balkan network of cultural operators aimed to promote a stronger presence of the region on the European cultural map, said the organizers of the European Jazz Conference just held in Sofia. Over 350 delegates from 38 countries involved in jazz music and cultural policies, including over 150 music festivals and clubs, export offices, regional cultural institutes, agents, managers and representatives of some of the biggest music media gathered at the National Palace of Culture from September 22 to 25 to take part in various modules of the programme. It included conference panels, working groups, networking sessions and the key presentation showcase concerts of 16 musical projects from the country, which presented the Bulgarian jazz scene. \"The interest that Bulgaria aroused as a new destination and source of cultural products was fully justified,\" the organizers said. They think the event, which passed under the motto Breaking new ground, was of strategic importance not only for Bulgaria, but also for the entire Balkan region, which has long remained in the shadows on Europe’s cultural map. That was also the reason for Bulgaria to initiate the establishment of an informal network of Balkan cultural operators from Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Greece and Turkey attending the event, the idea being to work together for stronger positioning of the region and attracting new investments in cultural, festival and congress tourism. \"We drew the attention of the entire European jazz and cultural community to Bulgaria, to our musical traditions. We work very hard to open up foreign markets for Bulgarian musicians, as well as to expand the representation of cultural operators from Bulgaria in the European jazz network to actively interact with other festivals and organizations from Europe,\" said Mila Georgieva, International Relations Manager at A to Z Foundation which organized the European Jazz Conference in Bulgaria and is the initiator of the A to JazZ Festival. /BR/ BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, At the European Jazz Conference in Sofia (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/333910-136-balgariya-initsiira-sazdavaneto-na-balkanska-mrezha-ot-kulturni-operatori http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Minister-Nikola-Stoyanov:-Bulgarian-Exports-to-Bavaria-Exceed-a-Record-EUR-1-Bln/18149/ SOFIA, 26.09.2022 19:44 (BTA) The export of Bulgarian goods to the federal state of Bavaria in 2021 exceeded EUR 1 billion, which is a record in bilateral trade. This was highlighted during a meeting between Bulgarian Economy and Industry Minister Nikola Stoyanov and the Minister of State and Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery Florian Herrmann, the Ministry of Economy and Industry said on Monday. During the conversation, State Minister Florian Herrmann shared his satisfaction with the traditionally excellent partnership between Bulgaria and Bavaria at the economic and political level. Bavaria is a leading investment partner of Bulgaria with a number of successful examples in the field of mechanical engineering, the production of components for the automotive industry, information and communications technology, etc. \"The good results we are reporting make us ambitious to achieve even higher goals in our commercial and economic relations,\" stressed Minister Stoyanov. He informed his German counterpart of his upcoming meetings with potential investors from Bavaria as the two agreed to promote investment processes at the federal and state level. During the meeting, it was agreed that Bulgaria and Bavaria would exchange experience in the field of information and communication technologies. The two ministers agreed that Bavaria\'s successful experience of connecting science and business could be implemented in Bulgaria in line with the establishment of new partnerships with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, universities and business. \"Bulgaria received significant attention at the largest conference on entrepreneurship, innovation, IT and digitalization, Bits&Pretzels , which is held in Munich precisely because of its prepared personnel and the achieved results in the sector\", stressed Minister Stoyanov. He explained that Bulgaria can offer a lot not only as a destination for investments, but also in partnership between Bulgarian and Bavarian companies in the field of the information and communication technologies sector, innovation and digitalization. A priority for Minister Stoyanov is to activate as quickly as possible the permanent intergovernmental commission Bulgaria-Bavaria, which would speed up the partnership between Bavaria and Bulgaria in the areas of mutual interest. /RY/ DESISLAVA TONCHEVA, Economy and Industry Minister Nikola Stoyanov (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/333919-minister-nikola-stoyanov-bulgarian-exports-to-bavaria-exceed-a-record-eur-1-bln http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/BTA-Hosts-30th-General-Assembly-of-Association-of-the-Balkan-News-Agencies---SE-Europe/18139/ BURGAS, ON THE BLACK SEA, 19.09.2022 09:09 (BTA) The 30th General Assembly of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) hosted by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is opening in Burgas on Monday. The forum is mottoed \"Together for TRUE News\". The opening will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov and Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov. BTA Director General Kiril Valchev will open the event. KosovaPress News Agency CEO Skender Krasniqi, who is the ABNA-SE current President, will deliver an address. Balkan news agencies gather in this format once a year. The 29th General Assembly of ABNA-SE took place in the Kosovo capital of Pristina in 2021. /DD/ DIANA DUKOVSKA, Poster of the forum, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/330008-bta-hosts-30th-general-assembly-of-association-of-the-balkan-news-agencies-se- http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgaria:-Second-Largest-Balkan-Importer-of-Turkish-Goods-in-2022/18140/ ANKARA, TURKEY, 16.09.2022 11:05 (BTA) Turkey\'s exports to the Balkans rose 28.7% year-on-year to nearly USD 14 billion in the first eight months of 2022, the Anadolu Agency reported. According to data from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, which unites the country\'s exporters\' organizations, Romania was the main destination of Turkish exports with USD 4.2 billion in the January-August period. It was followed by Bulgaria with more than USD 3 billion, Greece with USD1.9 billion, Serbia with USD 1.2 billion and Slovenia with USD 1.1 billion in the eight-month period. From January to August, Turkey exported goods worth USD 665.5 million to Albania, USD 485.8 million to Bosnia and Herzegovina, USD 430.9 million to North Macedonia, USD 400.9 million to Kosovo, USD 393.6 million to Croatia and USD 110.2 million to Montenegro, the data showed. /KK/ MATEY TODOROV, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/328851-bulgaria-second-largest-balkan-importer-of-turkish-goods-in-2022 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Oryahovo-Bechet-Ferry-Service-Suspended/18141/ SOFIA, 16.09.2022 16:17 (BTA) Vehicle passing through the Oryahovo border checkpoint stopped Friday because the Oryahovo-Bechet Ferry Service across the Danube was suspended, the Border Police said. There are no outgoing vehicles waiting on the Bulgarian side. Service will resume after 8:00 am on September 19, when the river level is expected to rise and allow safe passage. /KK/, BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, Oryahovo border chekcpont (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/329167-oryahovo-bechet-ferry-service-suspended- http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/13/18134/ http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Hello/18130/ http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/UPDATED-Greece-Bulgaria-Gas-Interconnector-May-Still-Be-Inoperative-in-October---Bulgargaz-CEO/18127/ SOFIA, 09.08.2022 10:25 | UPDATED 09.08.2022 13:40 (BTA) The Executive Director of Bulgaria\'s public natural gas supplier Bulgargaz, Lyudmil Yotsov, warned on Tuesday that it is still unclear whether the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector will go into operation in October. \"Nobody can promise us that,\" Yotsov said, speaking during an open meeting of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) at which Bulgargaz\'s gas price proposal for August was discussed. The Bulgargaz CEO said that even if the interconnector is ready on October 1, SOCAR, the state oil and gas company of Azerbaijan, has said that they need time for double-checking, which means that they can decide to start delivering Azeri gas over the interconnector from November 1. Bulgargaz has asked the EWRC to approve a selling price for natural gas in August at BGN 297.89/MWh (EUR 152.31 exclusive of excise duty and VAT), up by 60.01% from July\'s price of BGN 186.17/MWh, the company said on its website. By comparison, the August gas price on the European markets exceeds EUR 171/MWh. The regulator will decide whether it approves the proposed price or not on August 12. EWRC Chief: Bulgargaz should have secured alternative supplies after Gazprom cutoff During the discussion, EWRC Chair Ivan Ivanov criticized the public gas supplier for failing to act to secure alternative gas supplies right after Gazprom cut off deliveries to Bulgaria in April and invite competitive bids for gas supplies for April and May. The Bulgargaz CEO said that they did not take anticipatory action because they did not expect Gazprom to suspend supplies after Bulgaria had paid up duly according to the effective contract. As for the gas supply tender, it was announced on a Greek hub because Greece and Romania were the only alternative to the Russian gas at that time. Yotsov said that LNG supplies have been secured for September and was optimistic that the necessary quantities for October, November and December 2022 will be secured. Ivanov also reprimanded the public supplier\'s Executive Director for failing to submit their price proposal in due course and giving the regulator too little time to make a decision. Yotsov said that the price proposal for September will be submitted by August 11, but it will be based solely on the quantities of gas from Azerbaijan because only those have been contracted. He said that all gas other than the quantities under the deal with Azerbaijan will be contracted after August 10. Only part of the gas for September has been secured, he also said, adding that it is hard to secure regular supplies, the biggest problem being the unavailability of infrastructure for LNG regasification. Yotsov also said: \" Although the price of Azeri gas is now higher [than the price at which gas from Gazprom would have been paid], it is still below the market [spot] price. If, however, any volumes in excess of the agreed 1 billion cu m per year are ordered, the price will not be what it is now. Talks in principle are underway on increasing Azeri gas supplies to Bulgaria. The problem is that all other countries are currently negotiating with Azerbaijan, and they have made it clear that the gas will go to the highest bidder. Therefore, we cannot rely on additional quantities at a better price.\" The Bulgargaz CEO also said that Turkey is very important for the security of supplies in the region because it has the necessary infrastructure, and that Greece does not have this infrastructure at the moment. The public supplier is in talks on long-term LNG supplies with a US producer, but it lacks sufficient capacity at the moment and a long-term contract for the next 15-20 years cannot be signed with it before 2027, Yotsov said. /NF/ PETYA PETROVA, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/309095-greece-bulgaria-gas-interconnector-may-still-be-inoperative-nal-in-october-bul http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/General-Labour-Inspectorate-Has-New-Director/18128/ SOFIA, 09.08.2022 14:52 (BTA) Ekaterina Assenova has been appointed Director of the General Labour Inspectorate (GLI) Executive Agency, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry said in a press release on Tuesday. Assenova joined the GLI 23 years ago. He last position was director of the Sofia Labour Inspectorate. Presenting the new GLI Director, caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Lazar Lazarov said that her appointment shows that the team can rely on continuity, professionalism and expertise. The first task of the new GLI head will be to carry out an administrative reform to facilitate communication with the business community. Another task will be to improve the effectiveness of the control of the prevention of unreported work. /ZD/ ZHECHKA DIMITROVAq Newly appointed GLI Director Assenova and Labour and Social Policy Minister Lazarov (BTA photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/309313-general-labour-inspectorate-has-new-director http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgarian-Company-Mends-Greece\s-Largest-Hydroelectric-Plant/18129/ SOFIA, 09.08.2022 12:15 (BTA) The Bulgarian Central Energy Repair Base Group {CERB) has carried out major repairs of the largest hydroelectric plant in Greece, the Kremasta HPP, said CERB. The hydroelectric plant is within the Aheloy Complex, located on one of the largest dams in Europe. The contracting authority is the national electric company of Greece (the Public Power Corporation), which has a 99.7% market share and supplies approximately 7.4 million consumers with electricity. CERB has modernized a hydrogen generator and replaced its excitation system. Thanks to the repair, the plant\'s power has been increased by 10%, the company said. This is the fourth repair of the Kremasta HPP in Greece to be carried out by a Bulgarian energy company. CERB is the largest Bulgarian enterprise for diagnostics, repair and maintenance of electrical machines and equipment, established 74 years ago. /PP/ DESISLAVA TONCHEVA, Photo: CERB, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/309159-bulgarian-company-mends-greece-s-largest-hydroelectric-plant-in-greece http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Jazz,-Rock,-Folk-and-Opera-Take-Over-Bansko-in-Coming-Weeks/18121/ 27.07.2022 11:19 (BTA) The culture calendar of the mountain town of Bansko is packed with jazz, rock, folk and opera in the coming weeks, the Town Hall said Wednesday. Pirin Rock Nights is due on July 29-31. Among the performers on the festival\'s stage in the central square of Bansko are Ergolyam and Eridan with lead singer Ronnie Romero. The 25th edition of Bansko Jazz Fest between August 6 and 13 is bringing Bulgarian and international performers, with Militsa Gladnishka, Angel Zaberski and Big Band in the opening stint. A large concert of amateur folk music and dance companies is scheduled for August 20. On August 26 and 27, the Varna Opera will be visiting with a rendition of the musical Grease and Charales Gounod\'s Romeo and Juliette. /NF/, NADEZHDA FILIPOVA, The Bansko Jazz Fest poster, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/303127-jazz-rock-folk-and-opera-take-over-bansko-in-coming-weeks http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/UPDATED-Tourism-in-Bulgaria-Is-Reviving,-but-Unlikely-to-Hit-2019-Peaks,-Say-Experts/18117/ VARNA, ON THE BLACK SEA, 24.07.2022 11:34 | UPDATED 24.07.2022 15:38 (BTA) Bulgarian tourism is reviving, however it is unlikely to hit the peak levels from 2019, industry experts from across the country said for BTA. Among the favourable factors that boosted the tourist numbers, are the softening of the anti-pandemic measures and the rich cultural calendar available in some regions. The experts however are concerned by the new COVID wave and the potential return of the face mask mandate. VARNA on the Black Sea High-end hotels near the coastline are full, Prof. Stoyan Marinov, co-chair of the Varna Chamber of Tourism, told BTA. According to Marinov, vacancies are available in establishments with fewer stars that are further away from the beach. This year the largest numbers of tourists come from Poland, Germany, Romania, and Czechia. \"The number of Bulgarians spending the summer on the Black Sea is much lower compared to last year,\", Marinov said. According to him, the main reason is inflation. Additionally, the lifting of the COVID restrictions in Turkey and Greece sees many Bulgarians travelling to these destinations. Marinov predicted that factors such as the war in Ukraine and the chaos at airports all across Europe will lead to the tourist flow coming to Bulgaria by air being 25 to 30% lower compared to 2019. PLOVDIV, south-central Bulgaria Hotels and other accommodation facilities are working at a 95% capacity thanks to the well-developed event tourism in the city, according to Lyubozar Fratev, chair of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Council – Plovdiv non-profit association. For example, thousands of music lovers attended Solar Plovdiv and Hills of Rock in July. Plovdiv\'s other popular festivals include Opera Open, The Black Box, Stage at Crossroads, Wine and Gourmet, all of which make the city an attractive tourist destination all year round, Fratev stated. According to data released by the National Statistical Institute, the first five months of 2022 saw a 97% rise in the number of overnight accommodations compared to the same period of 2021. Out of 400 destinations, Plovdiv ranked 4th in Europeanbestdestinations.com\'s 2022 list. DOBRICH, north-east Bulgaria This summer the Albena resort on the Black Sea is expecting to see 65-70% of the number of accommodations from 2019, the resort\'s advertising manager Stanislav Stilyanov told BTA. The tourist flow from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark has already been restored to its pre-pandemic rates. The holiday resorts on the Dobrudja Black Sea are expected to work at 50 to 60% capacity, said Dimitar Dimitrov, head of the Regional Hotelier and Restaurateur Association. For comparison, the resorts were full mid-July 2019. There are around 1,800 Ukrainian migrants accommodated in seaside hotels under the government humanitarian programme, Dimitrov said. RAZGRAD, north-east Bulgaria The traditional Yogurt Fair and the Festival of Folk Traditions and Arts and Crafts are expected to bring tourists between July 28 and 30. STARA ZAGORA, south Bulgaria The average occupancy rate from the beginning of January to the end of June is around 13%, BTA learned from Veni Petrova, chair of the Hotelier and Restaurateur Association in Stara Zagora. \"This is somewhat comparable to the data from pre-pandemic 2019, when the first half of the year saw an occupancy rate of just over 17%,\" she added. Petrova is concerned by a potential new mask mandate, as well as by the rising gas and electricity prices. SLIVEN, south-east Bulgaria Kotel Municipality Mayor Kosta Karanashev told BTA that the region\'s rich cultural calendar had tourists book rooms since 2021. A festival dedicated to the local carpets is expected to attract 15,000 to 20,000 between July 29 and 31. Another 4,000 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered for the bike parade near the village of Kipilovo between July 21 and 24. TARGOVISHTE, north-east Bulgaria Targovishte is registering a significant increase in domestic tourism flow, Todor Yanakiev, a member of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association board of directors, told BTA. Tourists visit archaeological sites such as the early medieval Misionis fortress, as well as Bulgaria\'s ancient capital cities of Pliska and Preslav. One problem that Yanakiev pointed out, is the insufficient staff numbers in the restaurant industry. \"The quality of the service offered by Bulgarian personnel must be raised through professional education. This way, we could avoid unflattering comparisons with standard of service in neighbouring Turkey, Greece, and North Macedonia,\" Yanakiev said. KARDZHALI, south Bulgaria Hotel owners noticed fewer tourists from Turkey. The reason is likely the Turkish lira\'s accelerated deterioration, Danail Dyalkov, head of the Bulgarian Hotelier and Restaurateur Association in Kardzhali, said LOVECH, north-central Bulgaria Hoteliers and tour operators are expecting a good season, despite some services now costing 25 to 35% higher. Last year, the number of registered overnight accommodations was 70,000, which seems to be the trend this year as well, Lovech Municiplaity Mayor Tihomir Kukenski told BTA. SILISTRA on the Danube The number of tourists visiting the Srebarna Nature Reserve is similar to last year\'s number, despite having the anti-pandemic measures softened in the spring. A significant rise in the number of visitors was reported by religious complex, which hosts the memorial of rabbi Eliezer Papo. His grave is visited by pilgrims from Israel, Romania, the UK. /NZ/, NIKOLAY ZABOV, Varna, on the Black Sea (BTA Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/301776-tourism-in-bulgaria-is-reviving-but-unlikely-to-hit-2019-peaks-say-experts http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Medieval-Fortress-Brings-Bulgarian,-Foreign-Tourists-to-Lovech/18118/ LOVECH, NORTH CENTRAL BULGARIA, 24.07.2022 17:45 (BTA) The north-central town of Lovech attracts Bulgarian and foreign tourists alike with its medieval fortress, declared a monument of national importance as well as a museum and tourism reserve. Last year, it was visited by over 14,000 tourists from across Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, and Russia, tour guide Yana Angelova told BTA. The medieval fortress of Lovech, a large part of which has been restored, also hosts cultural events, such as theatre plays, musicals, various types of competitions, re-enactments of medieval camps, and fashion shows. On national holidays there is a sound and light show similar to the one held at the Tsarevets fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, Angelova said Historically, the fortress is known for the Lovech Peace Treaty signed under its walls in 1187 after the three-month unsuccessful siege undertaken by Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos. The peace treaty marks the start of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, Angelova explained. Inside the fortress walls there were seven churches, military buildings, a residential area, an aristocrat’s villa, and a castle which was home to Ivan Alexander, the longest-reigning Bulgarian tsar during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In 1474, the fortress was taken over by the Ottoman Turks, who after a three-month siege managed to make their way in through a secret tunnel used for water supply. The buildings were burned down and only the main defensive walls remained. Later, the Christian population used the stones to build what is now known as the old neighbourhood of Varosha, the tour guide told BTA. Lovech is also known for its lilacs, the 14-metres-high monument to national revolutionary Vassil Levski, the covered bridge, and the second biggest zoo in Bulgaria. /DS/, DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA,Medieval fortress of Lovech (Lovech Municipality Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/301881-medieval-fortress-brings-bulgarian-foreign-tourists-to-lovech http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/COVID-19-Restrictions-to-Be-Introduced-in-Sofia-City-on-July-19-for-30-Days/18108/ SOFIA, 18.07.2022 21:20 (BTA) COVID-19 restrictions will be introduced in Sofia City on Tuesday, July 19, to be effective for 30 days, by order of Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate Chief Dancho Penchev. Face masks will be compulsory to wear in the city\'s hospitals and out-patient healthcare establishments, the Emergency Medical Care Centre, the Regional Health Inspectorate, social service institutions, pharmacies, eyewear stores and drugstores. People should keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres from each other in public places. Other measures include hand hygiene, disinfection of surfaces, regular airing out of rooms, and if possible, working from home. Stricter morning filtering at child care establishments to prevent kids with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 or other acute contagious diseases from entering, and daily filtering at social service establishments for children and adults will also be required. If staff members at such institutions are found to have COVID-19 symptoms, they will be suspended from work until they are properly diagnosed and clinically healed. The anti-epidemic measures may be revised based on the development of the epidemic situation in Sofia City, the order says. /MT/, VALENTIN EVSTATIEV, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/299063-covid-19-restrictions-to-be-introduced-in-sofia-city-on-july-19-for-30-days http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Journalist-Ivan-Bakalov-Presents-Photo-Exhibition-\Old-Sozopol---40-Years-Ago\/18109/ SOFIA, 18.07.2022 15:33 (BTA) Journalist and photographer Ivan Bakalov presents his memories of the seaside town of Sozopol dating 40 years back in a photo exhibition, which can be seen until July 25 at the gallery in the local Sveta Nedelia Square, the organizers said. The exhibition, entitled \"Old Sozopol - 40 years Ago\", displays a collection of photos taken between 1983 and 1987. That was when one could feel the authentic spirit of the town, Bakalov says. According to him, Sozopol’s atmosphere has been destroyed for multiple reasons, one being the construction of numerous high-rise hotels and houses, despite the regulations for buildings in the area. Another issue, Bakalov says, is that while in the past locals had various occupational opportunities in the town and in the nearby city of Burgas, their main source of income nowadays is the tourist sector. Before, they used to tend gardens and vineyards, now sold for the construction of buildings, he adds. Some of Bakalov’s photos are included in a new book entitled Naked and Salty (the sea before the concrete), a collection of stories about the seaside with the memories of Bakalov, Mihail Veshim, Mariana Melnishka, Solomon Pasi, and Encho Gospodinov among others. Bakalov studied journalism at Sofia University and later taught press photography there. He has worked as a reporter, editor, and author in a number of Bulgarian newspapers and magazines. He has written a book about Bulgarian communist times leader Todor Zhivkov. /BR/ , YOANNA VODENOVA, Photo from the exhibition, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/298820-journalist-ivan-bakalov-presents-photo-exhibition-old-sozopol-40-years-ago- http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Romania-–-An-Example-of-Flouting-EU-Ban-on-Bee-killing-Insecticides/18110/ BUCHAREST, 18.07.2022 18:59 (BTA) Bee-keepers claim that Brussels is closing its eyes to a legal ‘super loophole’ that leaves banned seeds out in the fields. Nearly a decade after the European Union first restricted the use of seeds coated with bee-killing insecticides, Romania’s honeybees are still feeling the sting, the Politico writes. In one of the EU’s honey-production capitals, the government has been relying on the banned seeds to prop up its lucrative cash crop exports, something NGOs and beekeepers denounce as an egregious and routine violation of EU laws that is endangering one of the country’s most ancient trades and harming biodiversity. While the European Commission fully banned neonicotinoids, or neonics, in 2018 — after concerns about their impact on bees led to initial restrictions in 2013 — Romania’s Agriculture Ministry has routinely side-stepped the ban by resorting to an exemption mechanism in the EU’s main pesticide law designed as a last-resort measure to save an endangered harvest. Romania keeps circumventing the restrictions by arguing that neonics are the only effective means out there to protect crops from devastating bug infestations. But critics say the government is ignoring existing alternatives and granting all derogation requests submitted by powerful farm and agrichemical groups. In a 2017 report, three EU NGOs and Romapis, the Romanian federation of beekeeper associations, pinned Romania as the “EU champion” of neonic derogations, and called on the Commission to stop its “deliberate inaction” and challenge Bucharest’s “abuses,” as provided by EU law. But, five years on, no meaningful action has been taken because, at the EU level, no one is really watching. The issue is far from being unique to Romania. Virtually every EU country makes routine use of these so-called emergency authorizations to use the forbidden pesticides that keep their signature productions ticking over. France and Belgium’s continued neonic exemptions contribute to the EU’s stance as the world’s leading sugar beet producer; Spain, the EU’s fruit-growing champion, deploys them to allow farmers of popular crops like melons or strawberries to use 1,3-Dichloropropene, a fungicide so toxic that it never got EU approval; and countries like Denmark issue them to manufacture neonics for both EU and non-EU export. The situation is particularly damaging for Romanian beekeepers, as neonics have been used to grow sprawling fields of sunflower, corn and colza, all crops deemed highly attractive to pollinators. The use of the banned seeds, beekeepers argue, serves only the interests of a handful of powerful crop growers, and those of a government unwilling to give up its spot as one of the EU’s cereal-exporting giants.. The plight of Romania’s beekeepers further highlights how flagrant shortcomings in the European Commission’s abilities to enforce its own rules and to rein in an often barefaced readiness by countries to exploit regulatory loopholes, can render its lofty green rules toothless. In interviews with EU authorities, NGOs and Romanian beekeepers and farmers, the Politico found that a lack of resources and regulatory firepower — whether within the Commission’s executive units or within its chief scientific agency, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) — have entrenched this issue in a regulatory no-man\'s land, where countries are able to make unchecked use of a system meant for emergencies. The Commission declined requests for an interview, Politico writes. In written replies to questions from the same, it admitted EFSA lacked sufficient resources to “systematically verify” all derogations and confirmed that in Romania, the derogations are “granted upon request.” In a 2019 audit in Romania, it also identified staff and resource shortages as a \"severe issue\" hampering proper implementation of its pesticide rules. Romania’s farm ministry also declined an interview but, in a written answer, said the annual derogations were needed “because there are no alternatives.” It added that neonic use in colza stopped in 2019, after an EFSA report found alternatives existed. Martin Hojsik, a Slovak MEP working on pollinators, said the Romanian case laid bare a “super loophole” that showed “there is something really deeply rotten in the system\". As the Commission pours considerable resources into a package of new laws to restore biodiversity and pursues a 2030 target to reverse rampant pollinator decline, its inability to enforce even the most straightforward of bans suggests it might be biting off more than it can chew. /MT/, BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/298952-za-bistra-balkans-rumaniya-e-primer-za-nespazvane-na-zabranata-na-es-za-insekt http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Culture-Ministry-to-Fund-Rehabilitation-of-Two-Emblematic-National-Revival-Houses-in-Tryavna/18101/ TRYAVNA, NORTH CENTRAL BULGARIA, 09.07.2022 15:59 (BTA) The Ministry of Culture is funding the rehabilitation of two of the most popular cultural sites in Tryavna visited by thousands of tourists each year. They are under the aegis of the Specialized Museum of Carving and Icon Painting in the town, famous for both arts in the period of the National Revival, Town Hall said. Tryavna is also known as the birthplace of noted Bulgarian National Revival revolutionary Angel Kanchev, as well as of writers Petko and Pencho Slaveykov. The house museum of Angel Kanchev and that of father and son Petko and Pencho Slaveykov will be renovated after an approved project, and the state will provide financial support for the conservation and restoration of immovable cultural property within the approved budget under the program \"Preservation of immovable cultural heritage\" The state financial support for the restoration of Angel Kanchev’s house amounts to BGN 139,117. The Slaveykov House, another of Bulgaria’s immovable cultural values, will undergo roof and facade repair, as well as rehabilitation with aid of BGN 116,757. /BR/, BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, Photo: Tryavna Municipality, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/294765-ministerstvoto-na-kulturata-shte-finansira-remont-i-obnovyavane-na-dve-vazrozhde http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Most-Metro-Stations-in-Sofia-with-Secure-Bike-Parking/18102/ SOFIA, 06.07.2022 17:02 (BTA) From Wednesday, July 6, Sofia\'s residents can take advantage of around 550 secure parking spaces for bicycles. They are spread across 45 out of 47 underground railway stations in the capital, independent municipal councilor and founder of the Save Sofia organization Boris Bonev said on Wednesday. He participated in the opening event of the project for installing the secure parking spaces for cyclists. The initiative belongs to Bonev\'s organization with the support of the Bulgarian State Insurance Institute (DZI) and Metropolitan Sofia - the company managing Sofia\'s underground railway. The two metro stations without secure bicycle parking are Sofiyska Sveta Gora and Sofia Airport. Metropolitan Sofia Manager Stoyan Bratoev explained that the parking spaces are secure against violations and are under 24-hour video surveillance. The project\'s aim is to stimulate people in Sofia to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transport in the city. DZI Executive Director Kosta Cholakov said that around 11,000 Sofia residents commute with their bicycles. /MY/, YOANNA VODENOVA, Municipal Council member Boris Bonev of Save Sofia parking a bike at Sofia Metro station, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/green-BTA/293062-most-metro-stations-in-sofia-with-ow-have-secure-bike-parking http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Newly-Established-Protected-Area-to-Help-Conserve-Sturgeons/18103/ SOFIA, 06.07.2022 09:36 (BTA) A newly established protected area aims to preserve the habitats of critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable fish species. The Esetrite-Vetren section of the Danube is the first protected area in Bulgaria dedicated to sturgeons, said the WWF Bulgaria environmental organization on whose proposal the Environment and Water Ministry has declared the area protected. Esetrite-Vetren covers an area of 288 ha along the Danube near the village of Vetren and next to the Srebarna Lake. The main goal is to protect the sturgeons in this area where the young fish feed and rest on their hundreds-of-kilometres-long journey to the sea. Another 40 species of fish also inhabit this small section of the Danube, 21 of which listed in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria. In accordance with the Environment Ministry’s order, the following activities are forbidden in the protected area: waste disposal, waste water disposal, construction of hydrotechnical facilities, disruption of the natural hydro-morphological processes, and redirecting and slowing water currents or closing side arms of the Danube in this section. The proposal for the new protected area was submitted in April by WWF Bulgaria with support from the local fishing association, the regional environmental inspectorate in Ruse, and the National Museum of Natural History with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The proposal was based on findings made during years of field research on sturgeons and their habitats covering over 1,400 km of transects, the NGO said. In the last nine years, the WWF team has observed the Danube section from Novo Selo to Silistra, studying the habitats of the last surviving sturgeons and working with the local communities to protect the fish. Over 77,000 marked Russian sturgeons, sterlets and belugas have been released into the Danube to support the natural populations. Sturgeons, like other migrating fish species, play an important role as an indicator of healthy river ecosystems. The construction of dams, dikes and hydroelectric power plants, as well as the extraction if inert materials from the river’s bottom, place insurmountable barriers on fish’s migration route, change the natural water regime and lead to habitat fragmentation and destruction. In the long run, these and other human activities, such as overfishing and pollution, place sturgeons in danger of extinction. Fishing for sturgeons in the Danube and the Black Sea is prohibited in Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Serbia, the WWF recalls. /DS/, DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA, The Esetrite-Vetren protected area (Environment Ministry Photo), source: https://www.bta.bg/en/green-BTA/292678-newly-established-protected-area-to-help-conserve-sturgeons http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgaria-Has-Largest-Increase-of-CO2-Emissions-in-EU-in-2021/18091/ SOFIA, 24.06.2022 16:32 (BTA) The CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in the EU have increased by 6.3% in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to data from Eurostat published on Friday. Bulgaria had the largest increase with a registered spike of 18% Y/Y. This country generated higher quantities of CO2 due to increased use of liquid fossil fuels excluding biofuels (by 7%); solid fossil fuels excluding peat (by 27.2%); and natural gas (by 12.6%). The CO2 emissions from energy use were the biggest contributors to global warning. In 2021, they constituted approximately 75% of all greenhouse gases produced by human activity in the EU. The factors that have an impact on the environment include the unusual climate conditions, such as longer and colder winters and hotter summers, the economic growth, transport and industrial activities. The harmful emissions sources are localized to the countries where the fuels are burned to produce electricity or manufacture steel. This affects the import and export of energy products for each country. The other EU Member States that saw the highest percentage growth in CO2 producers are Estonia (+13.1%), Slovakia (+11.4%), and Italy (+10.6%). The only Member States that registered a decrease are Portugal (-5.5%) and Finland (-1.5%). The use of solid and liquid fossil fuels, as well as natural gas all had negative impact on the CO2 emissions, while the increased use of peat had a slight positive effect. /RY/, NIKOLAY ZABOV, Graph by Eurostat, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/green-BTA/287080-bulgaria-has-largest-increase-ofntributor-to-co2-emissions-in-eu-in-2021 http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/First-Laparoscopic-Surgery-on-Bear-Performed-in-Bulgaria/18092/ SOFIA, 15.06.2022 13:10 (BTA) A German team of veterinarians assisted by a Bulgarian fellow veterinarian performed the first laparoscopic surgery on a bear in this country on June 9, the Bulgarian branch of Four Paws said in a press release. The patient is a female bear called Suzanne who is a resident of the Belitsa Bear Sanctuary. Suzanne is doing well after the surgery. A month ago, a German medical team performing annual medical check-ups of the occupants of the sanctuary established that Suzanne had a large ovarian tumour which needed to be removed immediately. The two German veterinarians who did the check-up - Marc Goelkel and Mandana Poetsch of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, assisted by fellow veterinarian Nikola Kiryanski, decided to try to perform the excision by laparoscopic surgery. Goelkel said that the non-invasive laparoscopic surgery requiring only a small external incision allows the patient to recover much faster than if a classical operation is performed. Kalina Vulchinkova, head of the carers in the Belista Sanctuary, said that Suzanne is doing well after the long surgery. The bear is under close medical observation and taking drugs to help her recovery. Before being transferred to the Belitsa Sanctuary in 2019, Suzanne had a hard life as she spent more than ten years being kept in a small dark cell in an unlicensed zoo in Croatia. When she was welcomed in Belitsa, Suzanne was an aggressive and very scared animal. However, thanks to the good work of her carers in Belitsa, she has meanwhile become the most trusting and inquisitive resident of the sanctuary. Suzanne enjoys examining each new perk in the sanctuary, communicating with her carers and neighbours. /ZD/, ZHECHKA DIMITROVA, Photo: www.fourpaws.bg, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/green-BTA/282372-first-laparoscopic-surgery-on-bear-performed-in-bulgaria http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Green-Mobile-App-Rewards-Pedestrians-in-Sofia/18093/ SOFIA, 23.06.2022 18:17 (BTA) There is hardly a Sofianite today who is satisfied with the quality of air in the city. Sofia Coin, a mobile application available for iOS and Android that was launched in the Bulgarian capital back in December 2021, aims to change that by motivating its users to walk or ride a bicycle rather than drive a car when possible. Kaloyan Kirilov, one of Sofia Coin\'s early and most active adopters, told BTA that using the app regularly has already paid dividends for him. Since he downloaded the app on his phone, he has walked more than 300 km, which won him a new tablet mid-June. Other prizes given away to Sofia Coin users include bicycle accessories, concert tickets, and free e-bike and e-scooter rentals. The sponsors that provide the prizes are Eventim, A1, E-bike Rental, Hobo, and Brum. While a user cannot \"lose\" any distance they walked once it is registered by the app, there is a limited number of prizes. As a result, the users are incentivized to avoid driving and walk or ride a bike instead, in order to reach the more valuable prizes first. For example, so far only the first eight people, Kaloyan included, have walked enough to claim a tablet. The Challenge InnoAir, the party that developed the green app in cooperation with Sofia Municipality, shares on its website that air pollution in Sofia goes way back and is not entirely the result of human activities. Certain factors, such as the geographical location in a plateau surrounded by high mountains causing winter thermal inversions, are beyond human control. Human activity in general and traffic in particular, however, have the highest negative impact on the ambient air. There are 550-600 cars per every 1,000 Sofia inhabitants. In 2017, 25% of all motor vehicles were older than 20 years and another 60% were between 10 and 20 years old. The Project InnoAir is the first Bulgarian project funded by the EU initiative Urban Innovative Actions, which enables large European cities to test innovative, creative, and potentially risky solutions to urban challenges. InnoAir experimentally implements measures in the thematic area of air quality, in particular innovative green mobility solutions. The project tests in a real environment new solutions for Bulgaria and Europe, which aim to provide citizens with travel alternatives, reduce car traffic, and improve air quality. The project targets key segments of the population to promote cultural and behavioural change towards greener and more environmentally friendly modes of transport. Another feature of the application is that every four months it publicly announces the most popular pedestrian and cycling routes in the city. Sofia Municipality then adds these routes to its investment programme to ensure their good condition. While happy with the experience and his new possession, Kaloyan shared that the app has room for improvement. It has been through multiple iterations of reporting walking distances, some of which have been less than optimal. The current version, for example, only registers walks that exceed 1 km in length. /RY/, NIKOLAY ZABOV, BTA Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/green-BTA/286562-green-mobile-app-rewards-pedestrians-in-sofia http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/President-Radev,-PM-Petkov-Confer-with-European-Investment-Bank-President-Hoyer/18081/ SOFIA, 10.06.2022 16:38 (BTA) Prime Minister Kiril Petkov met with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Werner Hoyer here on Friday, the Government information service said. The sides focused on new investments in green transition, transport, energy, regional cohesion and small and medium-sized enterprises. Cooperation in the implementation of key projects in Bulgaria should continue, contributing to higher growth and employment, Petkov and Hoyer agreed. Further partnership and EIB support for the public and private sector will lead to positive results for both Bulgaria and the region, the Prime Minister said, adding that the government is striving to improve institutional transparency and capacity. \"The Recovery and Resilience Plan is a good opportunity for working together,” he said. The green transition opportunities and tools discussed included the Modernisation Fund and the Just Transition Mechanism EIB provides to Bulgaria to structure the Decarbonisation Fund. In 2021 the EIB Group, which is composed of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF), provided loans, guarantees and undertook partnership participation in projects in Bulgaria worth EUR 948 million. Last year, the EIB extended loans of EUR 176 million to Bulgaria for sustainable infrastructure, green urban development and economic activity. The EIF committed EUR 772 million for new projects for SMEs. A total of 5,900 enterprises and 126,000 jobs benefited from the loans. Later, President Rumen Radev and Hoyer focused on the opportunities to increase investments in innovations and high tech, the press secretariat of the head of State said. Europe’s future belongs to innovations, which calls for more investments in the field, the sides concurred. Radev underscored Bulgaria’s potential as an active key player in the region with its IT and innovation specialists. The considerable rise in the EIB support for Bulgarian economy last year was noted. Radev commended the bank’s beneficial cooperation with Bulgarian business, appreciating its contribution to encouraging enterprise and projects in the sphere of high tech and innovations. Successful cooperation with Bulgaria will continue, including with projects related to the development of green economy, Hoyer was confident. He stressed the EIB support for Bulgarian companies suffering from the consequences of the pandemic, while also funding key infrastructure projects improving people’s lives last year. /MY/, BISTRA ROUSHKOVA, Petkov (right) and Hoyer, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/280201-bis127-darzhavniyat-glava-rumen-radev-i-prezidentat-na-evropeyskata-investitsion http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Summer-Season-Opens-in-Golden-Sands-Resort/18082/ GOLDEN SANDS , 11.06.2022 20:15 (BTA) The summer season opened on Saturday in the Golden Sands resort on the Black Sea coast. The same day, the resort hosted a conference on the occasion of its 65th anniversary. The Ministers of Tourism and of Foreign Affairs, Hristo Prodanov and Teodora Genchovska, attended the event. Prodanov said that the tourism sector is expecting between 5.5 and 6 million tourists to visit Bulgaria during the summer of 2022. He added that his expectations are that the number of visitors from Poland, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Serbia will increase, and there will be no outflow of Bulgarians from their Black Sea coast. Prodanov added that the message for this season is that Bulgaria is a safe and peaceful destination. According to him, there is need for more promotion of the health tourism in the country. Hoteliers Union Golden Sands Chairman Georgi Shterev said that the resort\'s facilities, which have agreed to work under the new accommodation programme for Ukrainians, are very few. He envisages staff deficit in the tourism sector for the next 3 to 5 years. The Executive Director of the private joint stock company Golden Sands, Kiril Kirilov, said that during the past years the resort\'s infrastructure has been renovated and the aim is to fully renovate the resort in the next 3 years. Golden Sands has 90 hotels with more than 130,000 beds. /YV/, YOANNA VODENOVA, Golden Sands (BTA Photo), source:https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/280584-summer-season-opens-in-golden-sands-resort http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Bulgaria\s-Total-Exports-Up-33.6,-Imports-40.5-in-January-April,-YY/18083/ SOFIA, 13.06.2022 12:40 (BTA) In January-April 2022, Bulgaria exported goods worth a total of BGN 28,781.3 million, which is by 33.6% more than in the like period of 2021, show preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute on Monday. Total imports amounted to BGN 32,678.7 million (at CIF prices), up by 40.5% from January-April 2021. In April alone, Bulgaria exported BGN 7,648.7 million and imported BGN 8,362.2 million worth of goods, up by 29.6% and 37.5%, respectively, from April 2021. The foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) was negative and stood at BGN 3,897.4 million in January-April 2022 and at BGN 713.5 million in April 2022. In the first four months of 2022, Bulgaria\'s exports to third countries grew by 27.5% year-on-year to reach BGN 9,224.7 million. In April alone, exports went up by 16.8% to BGN 2,295.9 million. In January-April 2022, Bulgaria imported from third countries goods worth BGN 14,385.0 million (at CIF prices), or by 58.3% more than in the like period of 2021. In April alone, imports increased by 57.8% year-on-year to BGN 3,910.5 million. The foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was negative and stood at BGN 5,160.3 million in January-April 2022 and at BGN 1,614.6 million in April 2022. In January-March 2022, Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 36.9% year-on-year to BGN 14,203.8 million. In March alone, the exports amounted to BGN 5,598.9 million, growing by 49.4% from March 2021. Imports from EU Member States totaled BGN 13,842.0 million (at CIF prices), up by 31% from January-March 2021. In March alone, they grew by 32.4% to reach BGN 5,292.8 million worth of goods. The foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with the EU was positive at BGN 361.8 million in January-March 2022. /RY/, DIMITRINA SOLAKOVA, Nominal value change in exports of goods from Bulgaria to non-EU countries in the 2021-2022 period, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/281058-bulgaria-s-total-exports-up-33-6-imports-40-5-in-january-april-y-y http://www.maxconsult.bg/real-estate/bulgaria/property-news/Trade-Unions-Leader:-Incomes-Should-Be-Compensated-with-Inflation-Percentage/18084/ BELCHINSKI BANI, WEST BULGARIA , 13.06.2022 13:45 (BTA) There is no other alternative, regardless what the State is offering, to compensating workers\' and socially disadvantaged group\'s incomes at least with the percentage of inflation, Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) leader Plamen Dimitrov said here on Monday during a forum discussing the 2022 budget update, organized by CITUB and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Bulgaria. The inflation has put tremendous pressure on social groups, Dimitrov said, adding that the big hopes put on the budget update are not justified for many. \"We believe that this update does not cover all needs and possibilities,\" Dimitrov said. According to him, the anti-crisis package should be around BGN 4 billion and not BGN 2 billion. The inflation will bring much higher revenue than the one set by the Finance Minister int he draft budget update, the CITUB leader argued. According to Dimitrov, given that food prices have gone up by some 25 per cent year-on-year, it is logical for people to ask for at least around 20 per cent wage increases. He noted that does not matter whether the wage increase will happen under the incumbent Prime Minister and government. /MY/, ROUMEN YANOVSKI, Pixabay Photo, source: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/281160-trade-unions-leader-incomes-should-be-compensated-with-inflation-percentage