The MPs approved, at first reading, the update of the state budget. As of 1 July a differentiated VAT rate is being put in place – for bread VAT will be zero, for natural gas supplies – 9% instead of the current 20%. VAT on wine and beer served at bars and restaurants will be 20%, up from 9%, a reduction that was introduced during the pandemic. Pensions are to go up as well.
The budget is calculated at an economic growth of 2.9% and an annual inflation rate of 11.9%, even though, according to the National Statistical Institute, annual inflation now stands at over 15%.
The most heated debates in plenary were over the increase in the debt limit to EUR 5.1 billion. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev gave as the reason for this the need to revolve old government debts.
The international rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P Global Ratings) has affirmed Bulgaria's 'BBB/A-2' long-term and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings. The rating outlook remains positive. If a stable..
In the next 3 to 5 years, Bulgaria will experience a shortage of more than 250,000 specialists with higher education. For the past 8 years, Bulgaria has missed the opportunity, which a number of EU countries have taken advantage of, to conclude an..
The Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has ordered banks in the country to apply a minimum set of 6 indicators for monitoring credit standards when granting and renegotiating loans secured by residential real estate . The aim is to..
The direct losses for Bulgaria from the delayed full accession to the Schengen Area amount to EUR 424 million, caretaker Minister of Economy Petko..
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