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.
International rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Bulgaria's long-term foreign and local currency credit rating at BBB with a positive outlook, the Finance Ministry said. The positive outlook reflects the country's prospects for eurozone..
In 2023, Bulgaria's GDP growth was 1.9% higher in real terms compared to 2022. This is 0.1 percent more than the initially announced growth of 1.8%, the National Statistical Institute has reported. The chairman of the institute,..
In Brussels, Bulgaria and North Macedonia reaffirmed their commitment to continue the construction of Railway Corridor No. 8 under the TEN-T Regulation, reported the European Commission’s Directorate General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement..
In the space of 15 years, from 2005 until 2020, 75% of the farms in the country have disappeared – from 500,000 in 2005 down to 132,000 in 2020, said..
In October 2024, the total business climate indicator decreased by 5.6 percentage points compared to September, dropping from 22.5% to 16.9%. The index..
Bulgaria and India will intensify their cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest. This was discussed at a meeting of the Bulgarian Minister..
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