https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/rss Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:03:47 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185748-bulgarian-food-safety-agency-returns-11-6-tonnes-of-peppers-to-north-macedonia-a https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185748-bulgarian-food-safety-agency-returns-11-6-tonnes-of-peppers-to-north-macedonia-a Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:01:04 +0300 The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) found formetanate pesticide residues above the permitted level in an 11.6-tonne shipment of peppers imported from North Macedonia, BFSA said on Friday. The shipment entered through the Zlatarevo Border Checkpoint and was bound for a food business operator in Petrich. The sample was collected during intensified border checks launched by BFSA in early August. The shipment was placed under official detention at the recipient’s premises and kept in refrigerated storage pending the laboratory results. Once the excessive pesticide levels were confirmed, BFSA ordered the shipment returned to the supplier. With the assistance of the Customs Agency, it was returned to its country of origin without entering the Bulgarian market. The intensified border checks will continue. So far, 35 fresh vegetable samples have been tested, including 21 collected at the Zlatarevo Border Checkpoint and 14 at the Gyueshevo Border Checkpoint. They comprised 22 pepper samples and 13 tomato samples. The consignments originated from North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. Since August 3, 2026, BFSA, together with the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, the National Revenue Agency and the Interior Ministry, has been carrying out targeted inspections of the trade in tomatoes, peppers, peaches and watermelons across the country and at border checkpoints. The checks cover product safety, quality, origin and traceability. Inspectors verify the origin and traceability of consignments, compliance with quality requirements and marketing standards, and the labelling and accompanying documents for produce from Bulgaria, other EU countries and third countries. Samples are also collected for laboratory testing. At border checkpoints, documentary, identity and physical checks are carried out, together with laboratory testing for pesticide residues. BFSA will maintain the intensified controls on fresh fruit and vegetables to ensure that only products meeting safety and quality requirements reach consumers. Economy Kristina Ivanova Ivona Velichkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185680-confederation-of-independent-trade-unions-will-not-agree-to-minimum-wage-set-at- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185680-confederation-of-independent-trade-unions-will-not-agree-to-minimum-wage-set-at- Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:46:33 +0300 Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, said the union had never agreed and would not agree to the minimum wage being set at 50% of the average basic wage as measured through employment registers. He was speaking to reporters after a meeting between government, trade union and employer representatives on the mechanism for determining the minimum wage. He said there was currently agreement on the criteria set out in the EU directive on adequate minimum wages and International Labour Organization Convention No. 131. Dimitrov said the indicators to be discussed for 2027 would most likely include growth in the small consumer basket index rather than the cost of living. He added that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev and National Statistical Institute President Atanas Atanasov had agreed that the Institute should be tasked with developing a national cost-of-living measure for 2027. The second indicator discussed with the social partners concerned the overall level of wages in Bulgaria and it would most likely be measured through the median wage and its growth, Dimitrov said. The third would be growth in average annual gross wages, while the fourth would be long-term labour productivity growth. Dimitrov does not expect the minimum wage to remain at its current EUR 620.20. He expects the government to find a way to raise it to between EUR 670 and EUR 680. The social partners will continue their discussions on Monday. On August 12, Finance Minister Galab Donev said a new mechanism for determining the minimum wage for 2027 is expected to be adopted by the end of August. The mechanism should be used to set the minimum wage by the end of September 2026. A working group has set the reference value at 50% of the average basic wage. On July 24, Parliament decided that a new minimum wage formation mechanism would be introduced and that until its adoption the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620 would remain valid. Economy Diana Dukovska Borislava Bibinovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185583-labour-inspectorate-receives-over-12-000-calls-to-national-hotline-in-2025 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185583-labour-inspectorate-receives-over-12-000-calls-to-national-hotline-in-2025 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:48:26 +0300 More than 12,000 calls were received by the national telephone line of the General Labour Inspectorate in 2025, the executive agency's press office said on Friday. The figure does not include calls to the direct telephone numbers of the agency's regional directorates across the country. According to the survey forms submitted through the various information-access channels maintained by the agency, service users identify telephone consultations as their preferred means of communication and obtaining information on issues of interest to them. The national telephone line is a single number available throughout the country for consultations related to the agency's administrative services, as well as on matters within the Labour Inspectorate's remit, including compliance with labour legislation, legislation on healthy and safe working conditions, employment promotion, labour migration and labour mobility, among others. Reports of violations can also be submitted via the line. Employers most frequently seek advice on applying regulatory requirements and complying with their obligations in organizing the work of enterprises, concluding and terminating employment contracts, remuneration, determining compensation under the Labour Code and deadlines for its payment, employing third-country nationals, and other matters. Employees most often ask questions about the establishment and termination of employment relationships, wages and compensation and deadlines for their payment, working hours, breaks and leave, protection against dismissal, overtime work and work during public holidays. They also frequently seek advice on how to report violations, the deadlines for inspections by labour inspectors and receiving a response. For every report received by the agency concerning work without an employment contract, including verbally agreed working conditions such as remuneration, working hours and other terms, it is necessary for the employees to be found at their workplaces and cooperate with the control authorities so that the law can be enforced more effectively. Labour inspectors must establish beyond doubt that the worker is at the given workplace and is working for the respective employer without a written document. In such circumstances, they may declare the existence of an employment relationship by means of an order. Labour inspectors identified more than 96,000 violations of labour legislation in the first six months of 2026. During this period, 24,772 inspections were carried out. A total of 1,774 workers were found to be working without employment contracts. Inspectors also identified 51,576 violations related to ensuring healthy and safe working conditions. Economy Kristina Ivanova Petra Kurteva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185615-industrial-association-president-sees-no-grounds-for-double-digit-minimum-wage-i https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185615-industrial-association-president-sees-no-grounds-for-double-digit-minimum-wage-i Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:44:42 +0300 Bulgarian Industrial Association President Dobri Mitrev said on Friday that judging from statistics, there are no grounds for a double-digit increase in the minimum wage. A 5-6% increase would bring it to around EUR 650, he told reporters after a meeting between government, trade union and employer representatives on the mechanism for determining the minimum wage. However, no specific figure was discussed at the meeting, he added. The participants discussed the indicators relevant to changes in average wage growth, the small consumer basket index, changes in the median wage and gross value added per person employed, said Mitrev. At the next meeting, they are expected to discuss the weights of those indicators and the ratios between them. All indicators are calculated by the National Statistical Institute. Mitrev said no consensus had been reached yet, but he was optimistic that a solution would be found. Otherwise, the decision would rest with the government, he said, confirming that it would issue a decree setting the new minimum wage if the social partners failed to agree. Asked if the minimum wage could remain at its current level of EUR 620.20, Mitrev said he did not believe this would happen. He also said he did not expect a methodology for determining the cost of living to be drawn up. In his view, the best option is to measure purchasing power through the small consumer basket. A fair minimum wage is one based on objective criteria, he added. The 2027 budget procedure should begin on August 20, Mitrev also said. The social partners will continue their discussions on Monday. On August 12, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev said a new mechanism for determining the minimum wage in Bulgaria is expected to be adopted by the end of August. The mechanism should be used to set the minimum wage for 2027 by the end of September 2026. A working group has set the reference value at 50% of the average basic wage. On July 24, Parliament decided that a new minimum wage formation mechanism would be introduced and that until its adoption the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620 would remain valid.  Economy Diana Dukovska Borislava Bibinovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185513-wine-spa-hotel-chukara-in-tryavna-joins-michelin-guide-selection https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185513-wine-spa-hotel-chukara-in-tryavna-joins-michelin-guide-selection Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:44:42 +0300 Wine & SPA Hotel Chukara in Tryavna has been included in the MICHELIN Guide selection as a newly recommended accommodation, which the hotel management describes as recognition of the overall concept and the work of its team to create a memorable experience for guests. The complex combines winemaking, gastronomy, wellness and opportunities for recreation amid the natural surroundings of the Tryavna Balkan. Among the highlights in the hotel's presentation are its location amid the Balkan Mountains, its proximity to the Revival-era town of Tryavna, its wine identity, gastronomy and the opportunity to enjoy a comprehensive experience in one place. The hotel features its own winery, a spa area, two restaurants, a zoo area with rescued animals, event spaces and outdoor activities. Following its inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide, the hotel has already seen increased interest, particularly from visitors who follow international tourism platforms and seek more distinctive travel destinations. The selection provides an opportunity both to raise the hotel's profile and to promote Tryavna and the surrounding region, the hotel management said. The hotel's main guests are from Bulgaria, but interest from international visitors has been growing in recent years. The complex's next long-term goal is to receive a MICHELIN Key. Chukara's management said this is a natural direction for its development, but that they do not want the team's work to be driven solely by a particular distinction. Their priorities remain service quality, gastronomy, the wine concept, the spa service and the overall approach to its guests. In a series of articles, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is presenting Bulgarian hotels included in the Michelin Guide Hotels selection, which recognizes properties with distinctive character, consistently high quality, a high standard of service and a clear connection to their destination. Recently, nine accommodation establishments received certificates from the Ministry of Tourism for high professional standards, impeccable quality of services and their contribution to strengthening the reputation of Bulgaria as a destination. "We need to tell the stories of these hotels and show what lies behind their success. In this way, we can encourage more industry representatives to invest in quality, character and experiences, and increase the number of Bulgarian properties recognised on the global stage," Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov said on the occasion. Economy Kristina Ivanova Radoslav Parvanov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1185459-all-20-new-skoda-trains-expected-to-be-in-operation-by-august-20-transport-mini https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1185459-all-20-new-skoda-trains-expected-to-be-in-operation-by-august-20-transport-mini Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:43:00 +0300 All 20 new Skoda trains are expected to be in operation by August 20, after which Alstom trains will be delivered, bringing the number of new trains in service to about 60 by the beginning of September, Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev said on Friday while travelling on the first Skoda train, departing from Sofia Central Railway Station. The new Skoda electric multiple-unit trains will enter service gradually starting Friday. Peev said the new Skoda and Alstom trains would not be enough to provide comprehensive quality rail services, which he described as a strategic government objective. He noted that around 280-300 carriages would be needed to adequately serve the country's railway system, adding that the initial 60 new trains were a good start. The Government will do everything possible to secure European funding for railway transport, Peev said, stressing that the sector should be developed through a comprehensive programme rather than on a piecemeal basis. He noted that demand for sleeper cars was high while their number remained insufficient. The analysis currently being prepared will serve as the basis for a programme to renew the rolling stock in the coming years, taking into account passenger flows and needs on individual routes. Peev said that modern rolling stock alone would not be enough and that good infrastructure was also essential. A comprehensive set of measures was needed, including infrastructure development, safe systems, modern rolling stock and qualified and properly motivated staff. He added that train drivers currently work in poor conditions and are inadequately paid for their efforts. The Skoda trains will operate on shorter routes, while the Alstom trains to be delivered later are intended for longer routes, Peev said. The 20 Skoda trains have been named after Bulgarian mountains and peaks. The first train, which entered service Friday, is named Sredna Gora. The Alstom trains will also be given names, he added. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov said connectivity and mobility were key to the progress of any country. More than EUR 400 million is being invested in new rolling stock under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, representing the largest renewal of the country's railway fleet in more than two decades, Pekanov said. The Government will work to reduce regional disparities and inequalities, with mobility and connectivity through convenient and quality transport playing a key role, he added. Pekanov said that, alongside the continued purchase of new rolling stock, the entire railway system needed to operate efficiently. This included properly staffed and motivated personnel, signalling and network management systems, and infrastructure. Significant funding would be earmarked for these areas in the next programming period, he said. The 20 zero-emission Skoda multiple-unit trains offer modern safety and security solutions, greater passenger comfort and improved accessibility. The trains are being supplied at a cost of EUR 261.4 million excluding VAT, financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The contract for the delivery of the 20 multiple-unit trains was signed in early September 2024 at the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers. Bulgaria Veneta Litkova Kamelia Tsvetanova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1185349-over-8-mln-people-take-part-in-choosing-future-euro-banknote-design-ecb-officia https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1185349-over-8-mln-people-take-part-in-choosing-future-euro-banknote-design-ecb-officia Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:26:00 +0300 More than eight million people have taken part in a public consultation on the future design of euro banknotes, said Doris Schneeberger, Director of the Banknotes Directorate at the European Central Bank (ECB) in an interview with BTA. Bulgarian citizens can actively participate in shaping the future appearance of the banknotes as citizens of the euro area's 21st member, she said. According to Schneeberger, participation gives Europeans an opportunity to help shape one of the most tangible symbols of Europe. The ECB does not yet have a final breakdown of participation by country because the consultation is still ongoing. Interest in the consultation has increased significantly in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, the ECB reported more than six million participants, while more than eight million questionnaires have now been completed. This shows that euro banknotes remain important to citizens and that people want to have a say in their future design, Schneeberger said. The ECB is preparing the first comprehensive redesign of euro banknotes since they were introduced more than 20 years ago. The aim is to make the notes more closely connected to Europeans while improving their security, durability and accessibility. Unlike the current series, which features stylized architectural images, the new banknotes could depict real people, buildings, birds and natural motifs. Two themes have reached the final stage of the process: "European Culture" and "Rivers and Birds". They were selected following recommendations by an independent expert group and a public consultation in 2023, which attracted more than 365,000 participants. In selecting the final design, the ECB Governing Council will take into account the results of the public consultations, the assessment by the design competition jury and the technical requirements for the future banknotes. A decision is expected towards the end of 2026, Schneeberger said. The new series will feature advanced security elements designed to make counterfeiting more difficult and authentication easier. The ECB also plans additional improvements for people with visual impairments, including more distinctive colours, different banknote sizes and tactile markings, as well as, for the first time, markings resembling Braille. Work is also underway to extend the lifespan of banknotes, which should reduce both their environmental impact and the costs associated with replacing them. The redesign is being carried out alongside preparations for the digital euro. However, the ECB does not expect cash to decline to the point where it becomes secondary. According to Schneeberger, access to cash remains important for financial inclusion, privacy and the resilience of the payment system, particularly during crises or temporary disruptions to digital payments. Once the final design is selected, the technical adaptation, integration of security features, production preparations and testing will begin. As a result, it will take several years before the first banknotes of the new series reach the public. They will be introduced gradually, as was the case with the Europa series, the ECB's Director of the Banknotes Directorate said. Following is the full text of the interview: Over six million people have already participated in the public consultation. Is this level of engagement higher than the ECB expected and what does it suggest about Europeans' relationship with cash? Participation in the consultation has been very strong, with currently over eight million completed surveys. This high level of engagement is very encouraging, showing that euro banknotes matter to people and that citizens care about having a say in their future design. How many responses came from Bulgaria?  At this stage, with the survey still lasting more than a month, it is too early to provide a detailed breakdown by country, including Bulgaria. We encourage as many citizens as possible, in Bulgaria and all other euro area member states, to take this opportunity to voice their preferences. Bulgaria has become the 21st member of the euro area. How important is it for Bulgarian citizens to participate in this public consultation? The public consultation is an important opportunity for Bulgarian citizens as well to actively contribute to the future design of euro banknotes, ensuring they reflect the values and preferences of all Europeans, including those from Bulgaria. What message would you like to send to Bulgarian citizens who may still associate the euro mainly with economic and monetary policy rather than with a shared European identity? The euro banknotes are a powerful symbol of unity and shared European identity that connects us every day. By participating, Bulgarian citizens can help shape one of the most tangible representations of Europe. As such, this is now the opportunity for Bulgarians to help shaping a currency that is a daily reminder of the cooperation and unity that underpin the euro area. Why was it now considered the right moment for the first comprehensive redesign of euro banknotes since they were introduced more than 20 years ago? The redesign is part of the ECB's commitment to keep euro banknotes secure, attractive and accessible. After more than 20 years, it is time to refresh the designs to better connect with Europeans, improve on its sustainability and incorporate updated security features to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats. This process ensures the euro continues to be a trusted means of payment and a meaningful symbol for people across the euro area and beyond. The current euro banknotes deliberately avoid depicting real places or historical figures. What has changed in the ECB's thinking to make it open to more symbolic and culturally expressive designs? The change in the ECB's thinking originates from an effort to make euro banknotes more relatable and culturally expressive. Up until now, euro banknotes have depicted abstract monuments that symbolically represent Europe's shared cultural heritage but do not actually exist. However, themes and motifs for the new designs are now being selected with input from experts and feedback from focus groups and public surveys, reflecting a more inclusive and participatory process.  This shift creates an opportunity to feature real people, real birds and real buildings, making the banknotes more meaningful and relatable to the citizens of Europe while still showcasing the continent's rich cultural and natural heritage. The shortlisted themes are 'European culture' and 'Rivers and Birds'. Why were these ultimately preferred over more explicitly political or historical concepts? The themes 'European Culture' and 'Rivers and Birds' were chosen following recommendations by an independent expert group and a public consultation in summer 2023, in which over 365,000 Europeans provided their feedback. At the end of 2023, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided to proceed with these two themes due to their broad appeal across all euro area countries and the common thread of connecting Europe and Europeans. 'European Culture’ illustrates Europe's rich cultural heritage and its dynamic cultural and creative sectors strengthen our shared European identity, forging a shared sense of belonging. Culture promotes common values, inclusion and dialogue in Europe and beyond. It brings people together.  For 'Rivers and birds,' the idea is that the rivers and birds recognize no borders, symbolizing freedom and unity among Europeans and our connection to nature. Europe boasts a wide variety of rivers and birds that inspire us and remind us of our responsibility to protect the environment.  Euro banknotes are often described as one of the most tangible symbols of European integration. What story do you hope the new series will tell about Europe in the coming decades? These themes represent our European values, both now and in the future. With our future banknotes featuring one of them, they are a daily reminder of the European project - one which everyone can experience every single day. How much weight will public preferences carry in the Governing Council's final decision, compared to the recommendations of the expert jury and technical assessments? The Governing Council's final decision on the new euro banknote designs, expected around the end of 2026, will be based on a consideration of multiple inputs: the public's feedback, the Design Contest Jury report and a technical assessment.  Public preferences, gathered through two surveys, one via the ECB website and one being a representative survey conducted by a market research company, play a significant role in ensuring the designs resonate with citizens across the euro area, as the euro is the symbol of unity that belongs to everyone. However, the final decision will also account for the expertise of the jury, which evaluated the artistic and thematic quality of the designs, as well as the results of technical assessments to ensure the banknotes meet the highest standards of security, durability, and usability. This holistic approach ensures that the final designs are meaningful and relatable to the public while also being practical and secure for everyday use.  Once the designs are selected, technical work will commence to translate the design into actual banknotes. In a Union that continues to grow and evolve, how can a common banknote design represent the identities of more than 350 million Europeans without favoring individual countries? The chosen themes and motifs transcend national boundaries and reflect values, heritage and natural elements common to all European citizens.  'European Culture' focuses on the shared cultural spaces and depicts various cultural activities and spaces, and iconic European personalities who have contributed to building Europe's cultural heritage. Their lives span six centuries, during which they lived, travelled and worked across our continent, and their accomplishments have resonated around the world. The motifs for 'Rivers and Birds' highlight the resilience in diversity of Europe's natural ecosystems by showcasing different stages of rivers and various bird species, emphasising the importance of nature and environmental protection; also featuring the European institutions that remind us of the fundamental values of the European project. Beyond aesthetics, what technical innovations should citizens expect from the next generation of euro banknotes? What new anti-counterfeiting technologies are likely to be incorporated into the redesigned banknotes? The European Central Bank, like all central banks, has a duty to safeguard the integrity and security of its euro banknotes.  To make sure that euro banknotes remain accessible and inclusive, we develop innovative security features that everyone can easily recognize and trust. To stay ahead of counterfeiters, we continuously work to improve these features and to develop new ones for the future banknotes. The new series will introduce advanced security features, making the banknotes more difficult to counterfeit and easier to check for everyone. The ECB has said that the new notes will be more secure, accessible, and environmentally sustainable. Which of these three objectives has proved the most challenging from a design and technological perspective? During the introduction of the last series, security has likely been the most challenging objective for the ECB. Counterfeiting methods evolve constantly, requiring the integration of advanced or new security features.  Balancing these innovations with usability and production efficiency adds complexity. Especially as the banknotes with the new features finally need to be handled and authenticated by thousands of machines like vending machines throughout the euro area. The ECB's ability to innovate in this area while addressing accessibility and sustainability demonstrates its commitment to producing banknotes that meet modern societal needs. How will the new banknotes improve accessibility for visually impaired people? The new euro banknotes will build on the experience from the current banknotes by keeping the different sizes of the notes and the tactile marks and will further enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals for example through more distinct colours, and, for the first time, Braille-like marks.  These improvements are part of the ECB's commitment to ensuring usability for everyone while also paying special emphasis to vulnerable groups. We actively consult stakeholders, such as the European Blind Union, on a regular basis to incorporate their feedback throughout the redesign process, ensuring the new banknotes meet the needs of visually impaired users and are as inclusive as possible. Will the redesigned notes also have a longer lifespan, thereby reducing replacement costs for the Eurosystem? The ECB is conscious of the environmental impact of the euro banknotes and constantly aims to reduce it. We also strive for technologically sustainable solutions that can help reduce the environmental footprint of our euro banknotes and processes. One focus is to increase the lifespan of our new euro banknotes. By extending the life cycle of banknotes, the Eurosystem can achieve greater cost efficiency while aligning with its commitment to sustainability. The redesign is taking place alongside preparations for the digital euro. Some observers see the redesign as a symbolic reaffirmation of the role of cash. Do you agree? The redesign of euro banknotes reaffirms the vital role of cash and the ECB's commitment to it. Cash remains essential for inclusivity, privacy and resilience, especially during crises and as back-up in case digital payments would be temporarily unavailable, for example during a power outage. Cash will continue to play an important role for businesses and citizens alike. How do you think the role of cash will evolve within the euro area over the next decade? For the future, the Eurosystem is committed to ensuring public money will be accessible in both forms: As cash and as digital euro, so that Europeans continue to have the freedom of choice of how to pay.  These efforts are also reflected in the Single Currency Package of the European Commission, which via the Legal Tender of Cash Regulation aims to safeguard the role of euro cash. Once the Governing Council has selected the winning design later this year, what steps remain before citizens can receive the new banknotes? Once the Governing Council selects the final design around the end of 2026, the process will move from the design phase towards the technical implementation. The chosen design will undergo technical adaptation through the integration of advanced security features, preparation of production processes and testing, ensuring the banknotes meet the highest standards of durability, usability, and protection against counterfeiting. It will therefore take several years before the first banknotes of the new series reach people’s pockets. Can Europeans expect all denominations to enter circulation simultaneously, or will the rollout be gradual? The future euro banknotes will be launched in a staggered approach like for the Europa series, the concrete timing will take into account the feedback from various stakeholders, such as commercial banks, cash-in-transit companies and retailers, as well as the lessons learned from the introduction of the Europa series. World Veneta Litkova Boycho Popov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185443-continue-the-change-defence-of-state-interest-in-international-fair-plovdiv-cas https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185443-continue-the-change-defence-of-state-interest-in-international-fair-plovdiv-cas Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:58:25 +0300 Defending the State's interest in the case concerning International Fair Plovdiv will show whether the government intends to fight oligarchy, as stated in its programme, representatives of Continue the Change told a news conference at BTA's National Press Club in Plovdiv. The case seeks to establish that the State has the status of a shareholder holding rights over 29% of the company's capital. Participants included MP and former economy and industry minister Bogdan Bogdanov, Plovdiv's Western District Mayor Toni Stoycheva and Plovdiv Municipal Councillor Alexander Rakshiev. "We are not against public-private partnerships, but when we have seen poor management of this asset for 20 years, we have reason to suspect that the aim of taking control of the majority stake is not to preserve the fair but to turn it into yet another residential complex in Plovdiv," Bogdanov said. He noted that since 2006, successive governments had turned a blind eye to what he described as the covert privatization of the fair. According to Bogdanov, the fact that the autumn international technical exhibition will not be held this year is a serious indication that the fair is heading in the wrong direction. "We keep talking about innovative companies and high added value in the government programme, but where will our companies be showcased?" he asked. He called for the Council of Ministers to state its position on the case and welcomed the Finance Minister's declared readiness to defend the State's interest. The official website of International Fair Plovdiv says its exhibitions development concept is being updated, including restructuring of the autumn technical exhibition, which will therefore not be held this year. The new model envisages separate sector-specific exhibitions, which the fair's management says will ensure greater efficiency, a clearer focus and better conditions for professional contacts. The concept is being developed following an expert discussion involving the Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry, the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, industry representatives and business associations, the company said. As part of the restructuring, consideration is also being given to switching International Technical Fair to a biennial cycle, similar to the HEMUS International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition. In a letter sent to Prime Minister Rumen Radev, and the ministers of finance and economy on August 6, Bogdanov warned that government inaction could lead to the permanent loss of state control over International Fair Plovdiv Plc. He said that in August 2016, under allegedly unclear circumstances, a 29% stake in the Plovdiv Fair was transferred to Varna Municipality, paving the way for the subsequent takeover of the strategic asset. Bogdanov also said that in October 2021, decisions by the municipal councils of Varna and Plovdiv marked the beginning of a new phase in the process of acquiring majority control by a company linked to Georgi Gergov. During his first month as economy minister in the Nikolay Denkov - Mariya Gabriel government, Bogdanov initiated legal action to prevent what he described as the covert privatization of the Plovdiv Fair. In July 2023, a lawsuit was filed seeking the restoration of the State's stake in the company. Economy Diana Dukovska BTA correspondent Irina Shopova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185405-unemployment-rate-in-bulgaria-rises-to-3-5-in-q2-of-2026 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185405-unemployment-rate-in-bulgaria-rises-to-3-5-in-q2-of-2026 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:35:43 +0300 In the second quarter of 2026, there were 107,100 unemployed in Bulgaria, of whom 65,200  (60.9%) men and 41,900 (39.1%) women. The unemployment rate was 3.5% - 4% for men and 3% for women, according to National Statistical Institute (NSI) data released Friday. In the first quarter of the year, the unemployment rate stood at 3.2%. In the second quarter, 12,400 people (11.5% of all unemployed) were looking for a job for the first time. There were 45,000 long-term unemployed (for one year or more), representing 42% of all unemployed. The long-term unemployment rate was 1.5%. Youth unemployment rate (age group 15-29) was 8.1% (9.9% for men and 5.7% for women). Compared to the same quarter of 2025, this rate was higher by 0.1 percentage points. In the second quarter of 2026, there were 2,917,900 employed, of whom 1,546,800 men and 1,371,100 women. The employment rate for the population aged 15 years and over was 53%, or 59.1% for men and 47.4% for women. The service sector employed 1,951,600 people (66.9% of all in employment), the industry sector 816,200 people (28%), and agriculture, forestry and fishing 150,000 people (5.1%). In the first quarter of 2026, the total number of employed people was 2,916,500. The employment rate among the population aged 15 and over was 53%. Of those employed, 67.9% worked in the services sector, 27.7% in industry, and 4.4% in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Economy Kristina Ivanova Ekaterina Toteva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185438-bulgaria-shares-fifth-place-with-spain-in-eu-s-year-on-year-gdp-growth-ranking-i https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185438-bulgaria-shares-fifth-place-with-spain-in-eu-s-year-on-year-gdp-growth-ranking-i Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:23:47 +0300 At 2.7%, Bulgaria's year-on-year GDP growth in the second quarter of 2026 was the fifth highest in the European Union, running level with that of Spain, the Statistical Office of the European Commission (Eurostat) reported on Friday, unveiling flash estimates of member states' seasonally adjusted GDP. In the first quarter of 2026, Bulgaria shared fourth place with Slovenia with a GDP growth rate of 3.1% year on year. On a quarterly basis, Bulgaria showed the tenth-highest GDP growth rate in the EU in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2026, at 0.6%. This compares with an increase by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. Overall, economic growth in the EU and the euro area accelerated in the second quarter of 2026, Eurostat's flash estimates show. Year on year, the respective rates were 1.2% and 1.0%, compared with 0.8% and 0.5% in the first quarter of 2026. Among the member states for which data is available, Slovenia reported the bloc's highest GDP growth, year on year, in the second quarter of 2026, at 4.8%, followed by Poland (3.7%), Cyprus (3.3%) and Sweden (2.8%). In quarterly terms, the EU economy expanded by 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2026. The euro area reported an increase by 0.4% after a period of no change in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. Economy Valentin Evstatiev Marin Milkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185377-gdp-growth-slows-to-2-7-y-y-in-second-quarter https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185377-gdp-growth-slows-to-2-7-y-y-in-second-quarter Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:30:39 +0300 Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the second quarter of 2025 and by 0.6% compared with the first quarter of 2026, according to seasonally adjusted data published by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Friday. In the first quarter of 2026, GDP grew by 2.9% year-on-year and by 0.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. Y/Y changes: other indicators In the second quarter of 2026, gross value added (GVA) in the Bulgarian economy increased by 2.2% year on year, according to seasonally adjusted data. Final consumption rose by 7.6%, while gross fixed capital formation increased by 8% compared with the second quarter of 2025. Exports of goods and services fell by 2.8% Y/Y, while imports of goods and services increased by 6.9%. Quarterly changes In the second quarter of 2026, GVA increased by 0.6% compared with the previous quarter. According to the NSI's flash GDP estimates by expenditure component, the economic growth recorded in seasonally adjusted terms compared with the previous quarter was driven by a 1.8% increase in gross fixed capital formation and a 1.6% rise in final consumption. GDP at current prices According to the NSI's flash estimates for the second quarter of 2026, GDP in nominal terms reached EUR 29,678,800,000. GVA amounted to EUR 25,722,300,000. Final consumption accounted for the largest share of GDP at 81.9%, amounting to EUR 24,309,600,000. Gross capital formation stood at EUR 6,521,500,000, accounting for 22% of GDP. The third component, external trade balance, was in negative territory. Economy Valentin Evstatiev Ekaterina Toteva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1185242-sofia-opens-new-line-3-metro-extension-to-levski-housing-estate https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1185242-sofia-opens-new-line-3-metro-extension-to-levski-housing-estate Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:10:53 +0300 A new section of Line 3 of Sofia's Metro underground railway along Vladimir Vazov Boulevard will be officially opened today, August 14, by Mayor Vasil Terziev, Metropoliten EAD Executive Director Nikolay Naydenov and Prof. Stoyan Bratoev, a member of the company's Board of Directors. The extension will begin operating for passengers after 12 noon, the Sofia Municipality press office said. The extension of the line to the Levski Housing Estate is expected to allow more than 45,000 additional people to use the Metro each day, bringing the total daily number of Metro passengers in Sofia to more than 500,000. The extension provides a faster and more convenient transport connection for residents of the districts of Poduyane, Hadzhi Dimitar, Suhata Reka and Levski and for people travelling from the Hemus Motorway. Car traffic in the area is expected to decrease by up to 25%. The new section, which is nearly three kilometres long, includes three Metro stations: Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, Bessarabia, and Gen. Vladimir Vazov. The design of the three stops is marked by modern-style clean lines that emphasize a sense of movement and dynamism. Their architectural concepts are linked to their respective locations. The Georgi Asparuhov Stadium station features the colours of the iconic stadium and incorporates symbolism associated with football legend Georgi Asparuhov. The extension of Line 3 from Hadzhi Dimitar station to the Levski Housing Estate was carried out under Bulgaria's Recovery and Resilience Plan, financed by the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility. The investment amounts to EUR 144.3 million excluding VAT. A musical programme will be held at each of the stations along the new section as part of the opening celebrations. Four additional Siemens trains will be put into service with the opening of the three-kilometre extension of Line 3, the Sofia Municipality press office said in July. The new trains are equipped with high-tech systems that automatically determine their location along the route and maintain a constant connection with the traffic control centre. Line 3 uses a communications-based train control (CBTC) system, which enables fast and safe train operation. Construction of the Line 3 extension began in March 2022 and was carried out entirely underground. Bulgaria Valentin Evstatiev Sofia Gospodinova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185105-union-of-accountants-in-bulgaria-proposes-system-for-controlling-implementation- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185105-union-of-accountants-in-bulgaria-proposes-system-for-controlling-implementation- Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:25:17 +0300 The Union of Accountants in Bulgaria (UAB) has sent to Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Parliament its opinion on the need for a measurable system for management and control of the implementation of the Bulgarian Government Programme 2026-2030, the organization said on Thursday. The UAB said in a statement that they welcome the programme's management principle based on results and measurable indicators, but believe that this principle needs to be developed into a unified system of key performance indicators applicable to the main objectives of the program. According to the UAB, each significant management objective should contain at least: indicator, baseline value, target value, deadline, responsible institution, data source, measurement frequency. In this way, according to the organization, it will be possible to objectively establish where the system is, where it needs to go, what the deviation from the goal is and whether corrective action is necessary. "Formulas such as 'increase', 'reduction', 'improvement' and 'development' are intentions. They become management goals only when they are expressed in a specific value and a specific deadline,” the UAB stated. The union believes that a unified system of key performance indicators would be useful not only for the operational management of the executive branch, but also for effective parliamentary control. Parliament should be able to track not only what actions have been taken, but also what measurable result has been achieved in relation to the previously defined goal, the UAB noted. The UAB proposes that the implementation of the key indicators be publicly traceable, including through information on the current status, the target value, the deviation and the corrective actions taken. The organization stated its readiness to provide its professional expert capacity for the development of such a system and for participation in a dialogue with Parliament, parliamentary committees and the executive branch. They add that the proposal does not aim to create an additional administrative burden, but a better tool for management, control and public accountability. Economy Atanas Malakchiev Anelia Tsvetkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185117-vazrazhdane-sofia-will-miss-out-on-eurovision-economic-benefits-because-of-mayo https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185117-vazrazhdane-sofia-will-miss-out-on-eurovision-economic-benefits-because-of-mayo Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:22:00 +0300 The Sofia chapter of the Vazrazhdane party criticized Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev over what it described as the missed economic benefits of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, the party's press office said. According to the organization, the city has missed out on EUR 80 million in potential economic gains because the contest will not be held in Sofia. Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that Burgas will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The two semi-finals will take place on May 11 and May 13, while the grand final is scheduled for May 15. "While the CC–DB mayor was telling the media how prepared the city was, the Burgas administration got the job done," the local party organization said. According to estimates, hotels in Sofia could have earned EUR 24 million, while the restaurant sector could have generated EUR 20 million. Had Sofia hosted Eurovision, family-owned shops and the retail sector would have earned EUR 9 million, the organization said. Its estimates also project an additional EUR 7 million for the entertainment industry, EUR 5 million for public transport and taxi services, and EUR 15 million in potential revenue for local organizers and companies involved in staging the event. “And here, we are no longer talking about another broken paving stone, an unmown garden, or a video on social media. We are talking about something much more significant – the mayor’s ability to leverage Sofia’s potential and attract events, tourists, investment, and new economic activity,” Vazrazhdane commented. Economy Petya Petrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185097-government-committed-to-preserving-coal-industry-prime-minister-says https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185097-government-committed-to-preserving-coal-industry-prime-minister-says Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:55:00 +0300 The Bulgarian government is committed to the sustainable development of the energy sector, protecting workers in the industry, and preserving thermal power plants (TPPs) and coal mining as a sovereign source of baseload energy, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said during a meeting with representatives of the leadership of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, as quoted by the government's information service. The meeting took place at the Council of Ministers and was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov, and Energy Minister Iva Petrova. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is maintaining dialogue with the European Commission  regarding the reforms in the sector agreed over the years, as well as the scale and pace of the green transition. Representatives of the trade unions expressed concerns about the reforms implemented in recent years to restructure the coal power sector and related enterprises, and about the resulting layoffs of workers. Radev assured them of the government's will to promote the sustainable and balanced development of Bulgaria's regions and highlighted the measures taken to preserve employment in Stara Zagora and the surrounding region. The Prime Minister also noted that the agreed postponement of the closure of the thermal power plants in the Maritsa Basin until 2038 does not resolve the issue of their economic viability during that period, given the European Union's climate targets and the high cost of carbon emission allowances. For this reason, the Bulgarian government, together with other EU member states, is working to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and to acknowledge the importance of coal-fired power generation as a sovereign source of baseload electricity, particularly in the context of the current energy crisis, according to the Council of Ministers. The meeting also discussed measures to provide social protection for workers and preserve employment in the Maritsa Basin through land reclamation, industrial transformation, the development of new technological capacities, retraining and the acquisition of new professional skills, as well as attracting investment to the Stara Zagora region. On Wednesday, the government adopted its government programme. In the Energy chapter, the key priorities include ensuring energy security and system adequacy, improving energy efficiency, diversifying and decentralizing energy sources, developing nuclear energy, strengthening Bulgaria's role as a regional energy hub, and rehabilitating and modernizing the state-owned energy companies. Economy Petya Petrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184741-construction-of-kresna-bypass-on-track-for-completion-by-end-2027-regional-mini https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184741-construction-of-kresna-bypass-on-track-for-completion-by-end-2027-regional-mini Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:48:00 +0300 Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov and Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski inspected the route and construction works on the Kresna bypass on Thursday. Shishkov told journalists he was satisfied with the progress achieved and expected construction to be completed by the end-2027, while construction of the final section of the Struma Motorway between Krupnik and Kresna in the Kulata-Sofia direction is expected to begin the same year. The realistic deadline for completing the Struma Motorway in the direction from Kulata to Sofia is 2031, Shishkov said. The inspection was also attended by Blagoevgrad Regional Governor Vasil Trendafilov and MPs Aleksandar Popov, Georgi Kunchev and Rashko Dinkov. Construction of the bypass began on November 27, 2025. The section is nearly 4.2 km long and is part of Lot 3.2.2 of the Struma Motorway project. Once completed, the bypass will divert transit traffic east of Kresna, reducing traffic through the town and improving road safety. Shishkov said construction was making fine progress and the contractor had committed to completing the bypass by the end of next year. "The project is complex, but the company is mobilized," he said. In parallel with the bypass, the authorities are preparing procedures for the final section of the Struma Motorway. An approved detailed development plan is already in place for half of the 23-km section between Krupnik and Kresna, which will run east of the gorge. Following a government decision, procedures to expropriate the land needed for the project will begin. Shishkov said that work is also under way on a project for the carriageway from Sofia to Kulata, east of the Kresna Gorge, which will require an environmental impact assessment procedure. Until it is built, however, the Kresna bypass should be completed as quickly as possible and construction of the carriageway from Kulata to Sofia should begin. Abrovski said that the last obstacle to the construction of the Struma Motorway through the Kresna Gorge had been removed on Thursday morning. He said the issue concerned nearly 8 hectares of forest land that had been designated as old-growth forest after the detailed development plan for the route had already been approved. Shishkov explained that two procedures had been launched in 2025: one to coordinate the detailed development plan for construction of the motorway section and another concerning a new order designating forests as being in the old-growth stage. The detailed development plan was approved in February 2026, with the Ministry of Agriculture and the state forestry enterprises approving it without objections. Abrovski said that two months later, just eight days before the Andrey Gurov government’s mandate ended, the agriculture minister had issued an order designating nearly 8 hectares along the route, for which an approved detailed development plan was already in place, as old-growth forest. He said he could not determine whether this had happened due to a lack of knowledge, negligence or because the minister had been misled. Abrovski said he refused to believe that a Bulgarian minister would knowingly take action that could hinder the construction of a nationally important infrastructure project. Under a new order issued on Thursday morning, the approximately 8 hectares were removed from the old-growth forest designation and replaced with actual old-growth forest areas totalling about 2 hectares more, Abrovski explained, describing the change as the correction of an error that had been identified and resolved as of Thursday morning. Shishkov said the construction of the motorway section through the Kresna Gorge would be financed with state funds. Around EUR 230 million has been earmarked for the expropriation of properties needed for the project. He said that funding had initially been planned from both state and EU sources, but delays in the procedures had changed the situation. Shishkov described actions over the years that had hindered construction of the Struma Motorway as a “series of partisan actions”. The Regional Minister also stressed that infrastructure development must strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection. He said this did not mean that nature should be damaged, but that consideration also had to be given to the country’s development needs, adding that the authorities were working together to ensure that neither construction nor forestry activities would harm the environment. Economy BTA correspondent Denitsa Kyuchukova Konstantin Karagyozov Diana Dukovska https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185060-national-statistical-institute-chair-atanasov-institute-cuts-one-in-ten-jobs https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1185060-national-statistical-institute-chair-atanasov-institute-cuts-one-in-ten-jobs Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:09:46 +0300 The National Statistical Institute is cutting 10% of its positions, NSI Chair Atanas Atanasov told journalists on Thursday. Earlier in the day, he presented the results of the NSI project Sustainable Energy Renovation of the Administrative Building of the National Statistical Institute of the Republic of Bulgaria, which is being implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and began late last year. "We are cutting 10% of jobs in both the central administration and every regional office. Every directorate has made a proportionate contribution, if I may put it that way," Atanasov said. Most of the cuts involve eliminating vacant positions, Atanasov said. "Unfortunately, there are also offices where employees will be made redundant," Atanasov added. The cuts will significantly increase the workload of the remaining employees, Atanasov said. Atanasov noted that civil servants began paying half of their personal share of social security contributions on August 1 and, as required by law, will pay their full share next year. They all received nominal salary increases so that their net pay remained unchanged. In May, the Finance Ministry proposed cutting expenditure on wages and related social security contributions by 10% from September 1. It said the reduction would be achieved mainly by eliminating vacant positions and carrying out structural reforms, without cutting individual salaries. In November 2025, NSI employees protested across Bulgaria, seeking a 20% salary increase. The Administrative Employees’ Union within the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, which organized the demonstrations, cited inadequate pay, increasing pressure and discrimination against civil servants. Economy Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1184990-government-plans-measures-to-improve-pension-adequacy-satisfaction-and-trust-in https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1184990-government-plans-measures-to-improve-pension-adequacy-satisfaction-and-trust-in Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:56:01 +0300 Measures aimed at improving satisfaction with the pension system, ensuring more adequate pensions and strengthening public trust are being planned, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Nataliya Efremova told journalists during a visit to Bolyarovo Municipality, Yambol Region, where she opened a renovated care home for elderly people in the village of Voden. The facility was renovated with BGN 1.5 million in funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. According to the Minister, the measures are also linked to combating the shadow economy. She said this was the reason the government had begun implementing legislation to gradually regulate and raise minimum and maximum social security income thresholds. She stressed that this policy should continue over the coming months and years in accordance with the law, with the aim of combating the shadow economy and reducing undeclared employment. Efremova said the government was also planning a long-awaited and frequently discussed reform of the pension system through legislative amendments. Under the proposed changes, all payments currently made through the pension and social security systems that are not linked to an individual’s social security contributions would be transferred to the social assistance system, as they are essentially social payments granted on the basis of other criteria, such as a person’s income and financial circumstances. She said ensuring that people report their actual and higher incomes would also lead to higher social payments. The minister said that higher social security contributions would matter not only for pensions in the long term but also for short-term benefits, including sick leave and maternity benefits. She said the effects would be felt immediately when people are insured on their actual or higher incomes. The social policy minister also confirmed that the gradual introduction of social security contributions for public-sector employees would continue. According to Efremova, the second stage is expected to be implemented with the 2027 state budget. She said the government had guaranteed that public-sector employees’ salaries and established income levels would not be reduced as a result of the introduction of their social security contributions. Efremova clarified that the measure would cover not only civil servants but also other groups in the public sector. She said the work would continue in 2027 with the aim of eventually covering all public-sector employees under the social security system. Bulgaria Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184828-deputy-pm-extension-of-uk-license-for-lukoil-group-ensures-uninterrupted-refine https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184828-deputy-pm-extension-of-uk-license-for-lukoil-group-ensures-uninterrupted-refine Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:53:00 +0300 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Poulev said Thursday that the extension of the UK general license for the Lukoil group of companies in Bulgaria ensures the uninterrupted operation of the refinery and prevents the risk of a sharp increase in retail fuel prices. Poulev was joined by special commercial administrator of Lukoil's group of companies in Bulgaria Evgeni Simeonov and Deputy Economy Minister Mihaela Karadimova. Poulev said the extension of the UK license allows the refinery to continue operating. He noted that without it, the refinery could have faced financial and operational difficulties that could have led to higher retail fuel prices. The Bulgarian government worked to prevent disruptions and shortages on the fuel market and limit the impact on consumers, he said. Poulev recalled that the Constitutional Court ruling declaring the 2025 amendments to the so-called Lukoil law unconstitutional took effect on August 4. This created a risk that the refinery would no longer comply with applicable sanctions regimes, potentially leading to its closure and disruptions to fuel supplies, he said. The risk was prevented through coordination between the Council of Ministers and Parliament, as well as through cooperation with the special commercial administrator and Bulgaria's strategic partners, Poulev said. He said the refinery and petrol stations would continue to operate and that fuel would remain available at affordable prices. The extension of the UK license until the end of October is linked to the start of talks with US partners on renewing the license, he added. Poulev said Bulgaria's aim was to synchronize the periods covered by exemptions and licenses issued by Bulgaria, the UK and the United States, avoiding parallel and uncoordinated negotiations. He added that the Government was in constant dialogue with its partners and discussed outstanding issues on a weekly basis. According to Poulev, the Government had only a few days to stabilize the refinery and secure its financial and operational activities to ensure continued fuel supplies. He described the risk of petrol stations being unable to operate and fuel shortages as real. Poulev said the Government would do everything possible for fuel prices to return to historical levels, provided there were no new geopolitical shocks. Asked about possible negotiations for the sale of Lukoil's assets in Bulgaria, Poulev said the refinery formally remained Russian-owned. He said there was information about talks involving strategic investors, partners and consortia, but these were being conducted at the holding-company level in Russia. The Bulgarian assets and the group of companies in Bulgaria are part of the overall deal under discussion, but Bulgaria is not an active participant in the negotiations, Poulev said. If the Russian owners make a strategic decision and it is approved by Bulgaria's strategic partners, and negotiations concerning the Bulgarian assets are launched separately, the Bulgarian Government will take this into account, he added. Poulev stressed that Bulgaria was currently acting under the established procedures, while respecting private property and protecting the national interest and the interests of Bulgarian consumers. Economy Veneta Litkova BTA correspondent Stanimir Dimitrov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184842-lukoil-neftochim-burgas-secures-oil-supplies-through-september-negotiations-und https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1184842-lukoil-neftochim-burgas-secures-oil-supplies-through-september-negotiations-und Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:26:34 +0300 Oil supplies for Lukoil Neftochim Burgas have been secured through the end of September, while negotiations are currently underway for deliveries in October, Evgeni Simeonov, the special commercial administrator of Lukoil’s group of companies in Bulgaria, said at a press conference in Burgas on Thursday. The briefing was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev and his deputy, Mihaela Karadimova. The briefing followed Wednesday’s announcement that the United Kingdom had extended until October 29, 2026, the general licence covering Lukoil’s four companies in Bulgaria, at the request of the Bulgarian side. “There is oil and there will be oil, there are fuels and there will be fuels,” Simeonov said, assuring that all crude oil supplies were being purchased from global oil majors. He added that Lukoil does not buy and would not buy oil from sanctioned companies, stressing that this had never happened and that the company purchases oil exclusively from major global producers. According to Simeonov, refinery throughput has increased significantly over the past two months. It stood at around 450,000 tonnes at the beginning of the year, rose to 527,000 tonnes in June and reached 560,000 tonnes of processed crude in July. He said the refinery’s liquidity had improved and that risks of cash-flow shortages had been overcome. Simeonov described July as Lukoil Neftochim Burgas’s strongest month of 2026, saying the company had significantly exceeded its targets. He also highlighted the performance of Lukoil Bulgaria, which he said had recorded its best monthly result in the past five to six years of operations in the country, exceeding its target by more than 30%. Simeonov also commented on fuel prices in Bulgaria, saying they were affected by international factors that were driving prices across Europe. He said that the geopolitical situation had disrupted the operations of many refineries in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, resulting in shortages of liquid fuels in Europe and worldwide. The special commercial administrator said fuel prices were determined on the basis of the Platts price plus a premium, while also taking into account production costs, which had risen significantly in recent months. He said the margin at which Lukoil’s companies were currently operating was minimal. “We have managed to maintain acceptable fuel prices in Bulgaria, which we expect to decline in the coming months,” Simeonov said. He added that no sharp increase in fuel prices was expected in Bulgaria and that such a scenario had been avoided. Simeonov cited neighbouring Romania and Greece as examples, saying diesel prices there had long exceeded EUR 2 per litre. He said he expected the situation with fuel prices to improve in September and the fuel markets to return to normal. Economy Konstantin Karagyozov BTA correspondent Stanimir Dimitrov