Bulgaria: leva to be exchanged for euros indefinitely

Banker and economist Levon Hampartsumyan addressed concerns about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, emphasizing the need to overcome fears and embrace the impending change. According to Hampartsumyan, the shift to the euro as the primary measure of economic success will not only be seamless but also without financial burdens for the public. Contrary to apprehensions,…

Bulgaria: wage surge to outpace inflation in 2024

Bulgaria is set to witness wages outpacing inflation at a two-to-one ratio in 2024, according to Allianz Trade’s latest report. Anticipating a 9% growth in wages compared to an expected 4% inflation, the report indicates a slowdown from the 13.5% wage growth projected for 2023. Despite this deceleration, wages are poised to comfortably surpass rising…

Bulgaria: country opts for electricity imports

Bulgaria is undergoing a shift toward becoming a net importer of electricity, driven by economic considerations, warns energy expert Krassimir Manov. Manov emphasized that despite the nation’s existing energy capacities, domestic production lacks competitiveness in the market. The current strategy favors importing electricity from neighboring countries, a practice once reversed. Until recently, Bulgaria supplied electricity…

Bulgaria: winter tourism up in December 2023

Bulgarian winter resorts experienced a robust growth of over 4.5% in tourist numbers in December 2023 compared to the previous year, according to Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova. The notable surge was particularly driven by a substantial increase in Turkish visitors, marking nearly a 22% growth. Notably, tourists from neighboring countries such as Romania, North Macedonia,…

Bulgaria: country transforms into net importer of electricity amidst rising consumption

As a consequence of the recent cold spell gripping Bulgaria, the nation experienced a notable shift in its energy dynamics, emerging as a net importer of electricity on January 9. Despite possessing ample capacity, Bulgaria’s electricity production struggles to compete in the market, leading to increased reliance on neighboring countries. This trend, observed on a…