At the end of September, the budget deficit was 380 million euro, the Ministry of Finance reported. This is 0.4% of the projected Gross Domestic Product. By the end of the year, the deficit is expected to reach the planned 2.5% of GDP.
The rise of the deficit, which was 26 million euro in August, comes from planned significant payments of interest on the state debt, as well as state aid to farmers aimed to overcome the negative economic consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine and other payments.
Expenses of the state have reached 65.4% of the planned EUR 24.3 billion. They have increased by 10 percent compared to the same period in 2022. The most significant increase is seen in social payments, the money for personnel and capital expenditures.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts an acceleration in Bulgaria's economic growth from 1.8% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2024 and to 2.9% in 2025 as public investment increases along with EU funds. OECD expects inflation..
MPs have agreed to extend the 0% VAT on bread and flour, which was due to expire on June 30, until the end of 2024. Under the GERB proposal, traders will be allowed to add a maximum of 15% profit margin on bread, but the proposal is limited to the most..
Bulgargaz expects the price of natural gas next month to be 5 to 6% lower as compared to April. During an open meeting at the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, the initially proposed price of EUR29.12 per megawatt-hour was reduced to EUR28.36. The..
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