site.btaMinister Suspends Payments, Procurement Tenders in State-owned Companies

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Alexander Poulev has ordered the temporary suspension of all payments by state-owned companies under the authority of the Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry, as well as a temporary halt to the signing of new contracts and the launch of public procurement procedures. This transpired from an announcement published on the ministry’s official website. Exceptions are allowed only for expenses related to employee salaries and urgent maintenance of buildings.

“The first document I signed as minister was for the temporary suspension of all payments by subsidiary companies,” said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Poulev, adding that the measure was taken due to the launch of inspections and audits aimed at providing a comprehensive assessment of the state of the enterprises.

The minister justified the decision as necessary to ensure continuity, predictability, and coordination in the management of public enterprises during a period of institutional transition.

“People need to know what has been going on within these structures with citizens’ money. Stopping the leaks and thefts, for which there is an abundance of public data, is part of the larger task of restoring citizens’ trust in the institutions,” Poulev further said.

The measures undertaken are temporary until the inspections are completed and the financial condition of all structures and companies within the system is established. Full reviews and audits are to be carried out, and their results will be made public.

On Monday, the Minister is holding meetings with all department directors and secondary budget administrators in order to coordinate work and accelerate all processes within the system of the Ministry of Economy.