58 percent of Bulgarians have access to the internet, but close to two thirds of them lack the basic skills to avail themselves of the opportunities the internet affords, said at a press conference Gergana Passi, chair of the Digital National Alliance.

In her words, Bulgaria ranks 27^th in the Digital Economy and Society index, whereas small and medium-sized businesses are, in practical terms absent from online trading. At the same time the Bulgarian software sector is among the most sustainable in the country. A 14 percent growth was registered last year, with 19 percent of the companies saying they are optimistic about the current year as well, an annual survey by the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies indicates. The growth rate in the sector is three times higher than the GDP growth in the country. Operating revenue has doubled in the past 5 years.