Tomorrow, more than 8,000 companies that have applied for state support will start receiving a total of EUR 58 million under the Operational Programme Innovation and Competitiveness, Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov told BNR.

On the other hand, the state has already helped 250,000 employees retain their jobs under the 60/40 wage support scheme. EUR 14.5 million has been paid to people employed in the restaurant, tourism and transport industries. In the coming months, nearly EUR 185 million will reach the businesses in the form of state aid, Minister Borisov added. In 2020, this country’s GDP decreased by 4%, Lachezar Borissov went on to say. "In 2021, the economic growth may compensate for 80% of the losses incurred during the crisis," he said.