site.btaBodies Involved in Administrative Reform Hold First Coordination Meeting

The government has a golden opportunity, backed by a parliamentary majority and in full coordination at the executive level, to achieve a key result for Bulgarian citizens and businesses by reducing the administrative burden, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev during the first coordination meeting with 73 representatives of ministries, state institutions, regulatory and supervisory bodies, agencies, and other organizations involved in preparing an administrative reform, as quoted by his ministry.

Poulev outlined several objectives, including reducing processing times and the number of required documents, expanding the digitalization of public services, introducing one-stop-shop services or services that do not require citizens to visit administrative offices in person, ensuring interoperability between public registers, and reducing the number of administrative procedures and regulatory regimes.

"I am confident that we will achieve a major victory for Bulgarian citizens and businesses by decisively reducing regulations, waiting times at service counters, cumbersome procedures, and duplicate processes. This is a priority task assigned to us by the Prime Minister," Poulev added.

"Despite all the challenges facing public finances, we remain focused on administrative reform in order to genuinely improve the conditions under which businesses and citizens operate," he added, stressing that these objectives will also form part of the government's governing program.

"I am counting on each of you for close coordination, full support, and the mobilization of teams, departments, and resources so that we can achieve this goal as quickly as possible," he told the representatives of the administration, adding that the process would rely both on continuity and on innovative approaches.

He tasked participants with identifying the most serious administrative problems and procedures that create difficulties for businesses and citizens, making use of the feedback gathered from service users over the years. A larger meeting will also be organized with employers' organizations, industry chambers, and business representatives in order to ensure effectiveness and transparency.

The meeting was attended by deputy ministers, executive directors of agencies, chief secretaries, directors, and experts appointed to work on the development of specific measures aimed at easing administrative procedures, improving the business environment, and enhancing services for citizens and companies.

In mid-May, Prime Minister Rumen Radev assigned responsibilities among the four deputy prime ministers for coordinating the government's overall policy and its interaction with executive bodies under the Council of Ministers.

Alexander Poulev will coordinate the work of the ministers responsible for regional development and public works, innovation and digital transformation, transport and communications, energy, and environment and water.

His portfolio also includes oversight and coordination of the following bodies: State Agency for Metrological and Technical Surveillance, State Agency for Road Safety, State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Wholesale Markets, Public Enterprises and Control Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria.

These responsibilities place a broad range of economic, infrastructure, energy, environmental, regulatory, and innovation-related institutions under Poulev's coordination.