site.btaEconomy Committee Approves 2026 State Budget at First Reading

Parliament's Committee on Economic Policy, Investment and Industry approved at first reading the 2026 State Budget Bill, submitted by the Council of Ministers on July 1. The bill was backed by 13 committee members, while eight voted against. There were no abstentions.

The committee rejected the version of the State Budget Bill that included the draft budget of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Presenting the economic policy section of the draft budget, Deputy Economy Minister Mihaela Karadimova said that the global challenges facing the economy require a consistent policy aimed at supporting Bulgarian businesses and attracting more investment.

She said the ministry's priorities in 2026 will be to develop a competitive industry, encourage high value-added investments, support small and medium-sized enterprises, reduce regional disparities, foster innovation and strengthen Bulgaria's position in international markets.

Karadimova said the ministry's policies for 2026 focus on sustainable economic development and competitiveness, as well as effective external economic cooperation. The draft budget earmarks EUR 58.02 million for the sustainable economic development and competitiveness policy.

According to Karadimova, the funding is intended to boost the country's growth potential by promoting investment, high-tech industry, knowledge-intensive manufacturing and services, entrepreneurship and higher labour productivity. She added that increasing Bulgaria's attractiveness as an investment destination and creating conditions for the country to develop as a hub for knowledge-intensive production and high value-added services remain key priorities of the government's economic policy.

Karadimova also said the ministry's policy for the 2026-2028 period will focus on minimizing the impact of international factors on the Bulgarian economy while preserving and expanding the market positions of Bulgarian industry.