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 Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has again reduced the key interest rate in the country . As of May 1, it will now be 2.24 percent. The decrease compared to April is 0.15%, when it was 2.39 percent. This is the eighth consecutive month of a decrease in..
An analysis by the Ministry of Economy and Industry shows that in 2024, Bulgaria's trade with the United States accounted for 1.7% of the country’s total trade volume, with exports to the U.S. making up 2.6% of total exports and imports from the U.S...
Around 4 billion euros in debt have been raised from international markets through two bond issues, market analysts confirmed to BNR. The amount was raised through issues of 9-year and 13-year bonds – marking the country’s first entry into the..
The preparation of the non-banking financial sector for the introduction of the euro is at a very advanced stage and a significant part of it has..
The liberalization of the electricity market for household consumers and their entering the free electricity market, something companies did years..
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