Urgent reform of Bulgaria's planning districts is needed, local authorities insist.The current regionalization shows increasing economic imbalances in terms of EU grant assistance. The problem is particularly severe in the Southwestern region, which includes Sofia city. According to the EU cohesion rules, when a region's GDP per capita reaches 100% of the EU average, the regions receive 30% co-financing for EU programs.
In the Southwestern region, due to Sofia's indicators, the coverage is 100%. Transitional regions, with a GDP between 75% and 100% of the EU average, receive 60% grant aid, while underdeveloped regions receive 85%. In Sofia city, the GDP per capita is close to 130% of the EU average, which affects the neighboring districts – Sofia District, Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad, where the coverage is between 54% and 31%. The bundling of these districts with the capital city limits their access to EU funds.
At the end of September, with a little over three months to go until the Rubicon in Bulgarian public finance - 1 January, 2026, when the country will officially leave the currency board and adopt the single European currency, the euro – issues..
Bulgaria is among the most dynamic and promising economies in Southeastern Europe, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. He participated in a luncheon roundtable discussion in New York organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Business Council..
Plovdiv is hosting the 79th International Technical Fair from September 24 to 27, 2025 , bringing together leading companies, innovators, and industry professionals. The Forum highlights technological advancement and sustainable development across key..
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