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 political crisis is not affecting the economy in the short term – within 1-2 years , says Assoc. Prof. Krassen Stanchev from the Institute for Market Economics. “The political crisis is affecting those who are highly regulated – mostly big..
The Council of Ministers has approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Bulgaria and Smart Solar Technologies AD to implement a priority investment project for a "Solar Panel and Cell Manufacturing Plant." This project will be..
For the first half of 2024, the fast loans reached over 3 billion euros, according to the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) . In comparison, at the end of June 2023, the granted quick loans totalled 2.5 billion euros. According to the..
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