Today’s papers highlight the bombastic forecast made by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov regarding the growth rate of the Bulgarian economy next year.

24 Chassa carries a headline: “Boyko Borissov expects a growth rate of 4.5 – 6 percent in 2018.” This is the forecast made by PM Borissov at a business forum in Sofia devoted to the Juncker plan. The paper quotes the prime minister as saying that “we have a rare chance with the Presidency of the Council of the EU and with the support of Juncker we shall facilitate business even more and make it more flexible”.

Standart highlights the priorities facing Bulgaria as seen by the prime minister, with education being priority No. 1 so the country can be competitive. Second come the regions, with work in this sphere aimed to promote connectivity in the Balkans. The third priority is the security of the EU, in which Bulgaria plays an important role.

Sega carries a headline “Borissov dreams of 6 percent GDP growth for next year.” The article reads that the figures the prime minister cites are double the percentages set down by the finance ministry in the three-year budget macroeconomic framework. PM Borissov does not point to the factors that will engender such an incredible growth rate, Sega writes and adds: “Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov who also took part in the conference hastened to state that for the time being the forecasts drafted for next year indicate levels of around 3 percent, but that we have a potential for more.” “I hope we shall stabilize the political environment. We now have a regular government with the energy and the determination to put through serious reforms that will improve the business environment,” comments Minister Goranov, as quoted by Sega.

Compiled by Atanas Tsenov

English version: Milena Daynova