Fitch Ratings has raised the outlook on Bulgaria's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from stable to positive. The current assessment stems from lower macroeconomic risks associated with the Covid-19 crisis, the continuing interest in joining the euro zone, as well as the support from EU funds.
In the coming years, Bulgaria is expected to be one of the main beneficiaries of EU financing, including 16.6 billion euros (27% of GDP in 2020) under the multi-annual financial framework (2021-2027) and 7.5 billion euros (12% of GDP for 2020) in the form of EU grants under the NGEU mechanism. According to Fitch Ratings, this would increase economic growth from projected 3% in 2021 to 4-5% in the period 2022-2025.
In the long run, however, Fitch also points out a number of unfavorable factors, including the demographic structure of the population.
The price of electricity for households could increase by nearly 9% starting next year, according to estimates by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission. This means that with an average consumption of nearly 400 kilowatt-hours, the monthly bills..
The leadership of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) insists that a national subsistence wage be introduced in Bulgaria, with the minimum wage in the country reaching at least 80% of the subsistence wage by 2027. According..
In the period January - September 2024, exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 3.6% compared to a year earlier and amounted to 20.895 billion euros. The main trading partners are Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece and..
Moody's Ratings has affirmed Bulgaria's long-term and short-term rating at Baa1 with a stable outlook. The affirmation of Bulgaria's Baa1 rating..
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