site.btaGovernment Names Rumen Spetsov Special Administrator of Lukoil Neftochim Ahead of Incoming US Sanctions

The government nominated Rumen Spetsov, presently Executive Director of the National Revenue Agency, as Lukoil Neftochim's special commercial administrator, Economy and Industry Minister Petar Dilov announced after an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council with the Council of Ministers, regarding the appointment of a special commercial administrator at Lukoil Neftochim. 

“We expect Rumen Spetsov to be registered in the Commercial Register by Monday at latest,” Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev added. 

The procedure was initiated after the amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products were published in the State Gazette. 

In two readings held during a single sitting on November 7, the National Assembly expanded the powers of the figure of the special commercial administrator of a critical infrastructure facility. The amendments were prompted by plans to appoint a special commercial administrator to oversee Russian oil company Lukoil's assets in Bulgaria. Subsequently, President Rumen Radev vetoed the changes related to the appointment. However, MPs rejected the veto on November 13 with 128 votes in favour, 59 against, and no abstentions.

At Friday’s parliamentary blitz control with the participation of the three deputy prime ministers, Tomislav Donchev described as critical the talks with the US in the coming days until November 21, when the US sanctions on the two Russian companies and their foreign assets, Lukoil and Rosneft, come into force.

Between 2001 and 2015, Rumen Spetsov held various expert and management positions at the National Revenue Agency (NRA). His professional experience is related to the analysis and investigation of tax fraud, risk assessment of commercial sectors, and cooperation with the State Agency National Security, the Prosecution Office, and foreign partner organizations and services. A consultant in the field of finance and tax legislation. From May 2021 to August 2022, he also held the position of Executive Director of the NRA. His present appointment as NRA Executive Director started in June 2023.