site.btaBulgarian Employers "Ready and Willing" to Join Euro Changeover Awareness Campaign, Say Gains Outweigh Risks

Speaking on behalf of the Association of the Organizations of Bulgarian Employers, who he represented at the Council of Ministers on Monday, the Chair of the Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, Dobri Mitrev, said that the organization is “ready and willing to present the truth about the euro”. The Association has made eurozone membership its priority of many years and believes that the gains from it outweigh the risks.

"It is not that we underestimate possible risks, but when we put them on the scales, the risks for all of us, for society as a whole, are much smaller than the benefits," Mitrev added. 

Mitrev attended the signing of the memorandum on cooperation between the Bulgarian government and employers, trade unions, industry organizations and associations in relation to consumer protection in the process introducing the euro in Bulgaria. On behalf of the Government, the document was signed by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

"We promise to pass all the knowledge, all the information we possess regarding the economic operators on the introduction of the euro to all producers, manufacturers, traders, self-employed people in the clearest and fairest way," Mitrev said. "Together with our trade union partners, we have a moral commitment to the people who create added value in Bulgaria, to all our employees, and we are fully ready and willing to present to them not just the benefits, but the truth about the euro," he added.

Mitrev said that the Association of the Organizations of Bulgarian Employers represents a large part of the Bulgarian industry. "Over 86% of the employees work in the enterprises we represent, and over 82% of the added value is generated by these enterprises. We are the most natural connection between the state and the respectable Bulgarian businesses," Mitrev said.

He pointed out that in order to have a smooth transition to the euro, a number of steps have to be taken and stressed that the signing of the memorandum is one of the first.

On his part, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the introduction of the euro cannot lead to an increase in the prices of goods and services, unless there are macroeconomic factors for this. “The main principle that guides us is consumer interest protection. Inflation in the country must not to exceed 3%.”