Urgent reform of Bulgaria's planning districts is needed, local authorities insist.The current regionalization shows increasing economic imbalances in terms of EU grant assistance. The problem is particularly severe in the Southwestern region, which includes Sofia city. According to the EU cohesion rules, when a region's GDP per capita reaches 100% of the EU average, the regions receive 30% co-financing for EU programs.
In the Southwestern region, due to Sofia's indicators, the coverage is 100%. Transitional regions, with a GDP between 75% and 100% of the EU average, receive 60% grant aid, while underdeveloped regions receive 85%. In Sofia city, the GDP per capita is close to 130% of the EU average, which affects the neighboring districts – Sofia District, Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad, where the coverage is between 54% and 31%. The bundling of these districts with the capital city limits their access to EU funds.
From March 9 to 11, 2025, Inter Expo Center in Sofia plays host to the 41st edition of Holiday & SPA Expo. The event, organized with the support of the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, traditionally becomes a meeting point for leading experts,..
The budget for 2025 is feasible and will likely be the last one in Bulgarian leva, Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova said in an interview with bTV. The draft law on the state budget for 2025 has been prepared without increasing existing..
A Bulgarian-Ecuadorian Business Forum will be held in Bulgaria, jointly organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pro Ecuador office in Italy, accredited for Bulgaria. The event will take place on March 13, 2025 at the..
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