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The Booklet has been compiled by courtesy of:
Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism
National Statistical Institute
Bulgarian National Bank.
When using data from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s publication, the source of information must be
cited obligatory. The information provided in this brochure was correct at the time it went to press, Мay 2012.P
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Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,The financial stability and strict fiscal discipline maintained by the Bulgarian Government was a necessary prerequisite and had positive effect on limiting the negative impact of the global financial and economic crisis. The implemented fiscal policy will remain a commitment of the Government in 2012. The targeted budget deficit defined in the fiscal framework of the Ministry of Finance is 1.3% of GDP in 2012, thereby ranking Bulgaria among the countries with the lowest budget deficit in the EU.
The Eurozone crisis affected the investment activity of all EU member states, including the amount of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Bulgaria. In the meantime, it is important to emphasize that in 2011 many manufacturing companies operating in Bulgaria expanded their presence in the country, thus generating employment which is a good reference for the business climate.
In an unfavourable external environment, Bulgaria has maintained an active foreign economic policy in order to look for new sources of growth.
We seek to promote Bulgarian exports and assist Bulgarian companies in exploring traditional and new markets, as well as facilitate their access to markets outside the European Union.
Mr. Delyan DobrevMinister of Economy, Energy and Tourism
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In 2011 our economy showed signs of recovery from the crisis and generated certain economic growth driven by the increased exports of goods.
Bulgarian exports in 2011 reached record levels of over EUR 20 billion or approximately 30 % growth. In comparison, the entire GDP of Bulgaria in 2004 was about EUR 20 billion. Our country exports goods to more than 100 countries worldwide. In 2011 our country exported goods to the total value of approximately EUR 13 billion to EU member states only, which is 33.3 % higher compared to 2010.
The stability and economic growth achieved are sufficient grounds to preserve the priorities of the Government’s economic policy in 2012. We are taking measures to gradually change the structure of Bulgarian economy. Manufacturing and exports of raw materials and products with low added value cannot guarantee success in the long-term. Therefore, we are conducting a policy of stimulating high technology sectors as a priority, encouraging investments in these sectors and increasing their competitiveness. In this line, high technology and intensive knowledge-based industries and services are being promoted, alongside the establishment of high-tech parks, technology incubators, technology transfer centers, clusters and business networks. The sectors which hold potential for growth are IT, eco technologies, energy efficiency technologies, healthcare technologies.
We are decided and continue to improve the business conditions by reducing the administrative burden and the number of regulatory regimes, and decreasing the financial burden on businesses.
Last but not least, our efforts are targeted at efficient EU funds management and higher funds absorption. We believe this is the right way to overcome the aftermath of the crisis.
Amid the weakened credit ratings of many European economies, over the last years international credit rating agencies have improved the credit rating of Bulgaria repeatedly, grading it an investment class. A good example of this is the upgrade of Bulgaria’s credit rating to “with a stable outlook” by Moody’s in July 2011.
According to Eurochambres Economic Survey 2012, Bulgaria takes the lead among European countries by business climate confidence; furthermore, together with Romania, it delivers the greatest increase by this indicator of all European countries as compared to 2011.
The good business climate assessment and the ongoing recovery of industry and investment activity give us confidence that the planned economic growth may be achieved, based on investment, innovation and more opportunities which the business so urgently needs.
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Dear business partners,We present to your attention the third revised edition of “Bulgaria in Figures” in order to facilitate the assessment of the business opportunities available in the different regions and to encourage you to choose Bulgaria as the best destination.
In a period of uncertainty for most European countries, Bulgaria has managed not only to preserve its financial stability, having the second lowest public debt in the European Union – 17.5% of GDP (2011), but also to improve its position in international rankings of economic freedom, market openness and property rights.
Despite the harsh conditions, Bulgaria has continued the implementation of major infrastructural projects – new sections of motorways and completion of the second bridge across the Danube River, while over 60 industrial zones listed in the brochure await you with attention and interest.
The established prerequisites for quicker provision of administrative services and the optimization of the legislative activity contribute to the successful development of business projects in Bulgaria.
BCCI will once again be your best partner through its system of 28 Regional Chambers of Commerce in the country providing services to businesses with the highest professionalism and competence, and the Court of Arbitration with the Chamber ensuring reliable protection of your interests.
Mr. Tsvetan SimeonovPresident of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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General data
State government: Parliamentary republic
Head of state: President
Head of government: Prime-Minister
Capital: Sofia
Administrative and territorial division: 28 districts and 264 municipalities
Area: 111 001.9 sq.km.
Population: 7 364 570 as of 01.02.2011
Official language: Bulgarian
Religion: Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Monetary unit: LEV (BGN - fixed to the euro, 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN)
Vidin
Montana
VratsaPleven
Lovech
SofiaSofia (cap)
Gabrovo
Ruse Razgrad
Silistra
Dobrich
North-West region
South-West regionSouth Central region
North Central region North-East region
South-East region
VarnaTargovishte
Shumen
Burgas
Yambol
Sliven
Haskovo
Plovdiv
Smolyan
Pazardzhik
Blagoevgrad
Kyustendil
Pernik
Kardzhali
VelikoTarnovo
StaraZagora
REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
5
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
value added taxes (standart rate)*
corporate incomepersonal income
BelgiumSweden
DenmarkFrance
PortugalFinland
ItalyUnited Kingdom
GermanyNetherlands
AustriaSpain
GreeceMalta
LuxembourgSloveniaIrelandPoland
HungaryLatvia
EstoniaSlovakiaRomania
CyprusCzech Republic
LithuaniaBulgaria 10,0
15,0 15,0 30,0 16,0 19,0 21,0 25,0 20,3 32,0 41,0 41,0 42,1 35,0 45,0 45,0 50,0 52,0 47,5 50,0 45,6 49,2 46,5 46,7 51,5 56,4 53,7
10,0 15,0 19,0 10,0 16,0 19,0 21,0 15,0 20,6 19,0 12,5 20,0 28,8 35,0 23,0 30,0 25,0 25,0 29,8 27,0 31,4 26,0 29,0 34,4 25,0 26,3 34,0
20,0 21,0 20,0 15,0 24,0 20,0 20,0 22,0 27,0 23,0 23,0 20,0 15,0 18,0 23,0 18,0 20,0 19,0 19,0 20,0 21,0 23,0 23,0 19,6 25,0 25,0 21,0
Focus Bulgariaа EU and NATO Membershipа Strategic geographical locationа Stable economic environmentа Openness to foreign marketsа Small public debt а Efficient dialogue between the business and the governmentа EU’s most favourable taxesа Competitive operational costs and competitive labour level
* as of 1st January 2012 Source: Eurostat
2011
Figure 1: Tax rates (%) on corporate income, personal income and value added tax (standard rate)
Pages 6-21:
а NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
Gross Domestic Product
Gross Value Added
Export of goods
Import of goods
а FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
а PRICES
а LABOUR MARKET
22
The 28 Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry
http://www.bcci.bg/chambres-en.html
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
9 Iskar str., 1058 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: (+359 2) 8117 400
Fax: (+359 2) 987 32 09
Web site: www.bcci.bg
E-mail: [email protected]
BULGARIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Established in 1895
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BULGARIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY – THIRD CENTURY IN SERVICE TO BUSINESS
The BCCI is the leading employers’ association in Bulgaria – comprising а
over 53 000 members.It’s an independent, non-profit NGO that supports, promotes and а
represents the interests of its members and contributes to the development of international economic cooperation.The BCCI is based on the principles of voluntary membership, а
autonomy and self-financing and seeks to establish ethical and socially responsible relationships in business.BCCI contributes to the creation of a more favourable business а
environment and dedicates many efforts to the promotion and support of entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. The BCCI is a member of the Association of the Organizations а
of Bulgarian Employers (AOBE) - a free union of the employers’ organizations that are officially acknowledged as representative according to the operating legislation.The BCCI is a regular member of the International Chamber of а
Commerce (ICC), World Chambers Federation (WCF), Association of European Chambers of Commerce (Eurochambres), World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), Association of the Balkan Chambers (ABC), Regional Cooperation Council, International Council on Cooperation, BSEC Business Council, Central European Initiative (CEI), GS1 International Association, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).The BCCI participates in over 280 public-private bodies and over 10 а
Joint Chambers of Commerce and Councils.28 Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry are united in the а
Unified System of Bulgarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.The 104 Sectoral Organizations are united in a Council of Sectorial а
Organizations at the BCCI.An Arbitration Court operates at BCCI. а
Contribution of BCCI’s members to the Bulgarian economy, 2011 (%) (nation level = 100)
Source: National Statistical Institute Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
0 20 40 60 80 100
Persons employed with laborcontract at BCCI's members
Persons employed with laborcontract in the country
Gross domestic product ofthe BCCI's members
Gross domestic productin the country
Export by BCCI's members
National export of goodand services 100
100
100
67.09
43.94
35.14
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Structures and services
TRADE REGISTER AND MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORATEhttp://www.bcci.bg/trade-reg-services.html
Main activities:1. Trade Register Services
Registration in the Unified voluntary trade register of the BCCI а
– over 53 000 companies and organizations and other legal subjects;Obligatory registration of commercial representative offices of а
foreign persons in Bulgaria;Maintenance and updating of the information on file subject to а
registration;Issuing of certificates and references in Bulgarian and foreign а
languages for the status and financial condition of the registered legal subjects;Providing oral and written references in Bulgarian and foreign а
languages with data about the registered legal subjects.2. Membership with BCCI.3. Issuance and validation of documents:
Certificates of origin of goods; а
Validation of signatures. а
4. Assistance for validation of invitation-declarations for business trips of foreigners to the Republic of Bulgaria.
5. Issuance of Force-Majeure Certificates.6. Assitance in obtaining information about the existence and current
status of foreign companies.7. Issuance and validation of ATA Carnets.8. Obtaining a qualified electronic signature certificate to physical persons
and legal entities respectively StampIT Doc and StampIT DocPro.9. General Average Adjusters’ Office.10. Carrying out coordination and keeping constant relations with the 28
Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).11. Carrying out coordination with the sectorial organizations members of
the Council of Sectorial Organisations with the BCCI.
For Contacts: Zdravka Georgieva, DirectorTel.: (+359 2) 987 88 84, 8117 476, Fax: (+359 2) 987 32 09E-mail: [email protected]
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EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND EUROPEAN PROJECTS DIRECTORATEhttp://www.bcci.bg/projectsBCCI.htmhttp://www.bcci.bg/seminars-en.htmlhttp://www.bcci.bg/en-een.htmlhttp://www.bcci.bg/economic-analyses-en.html
Main activities:1. Participation in EU funded projects.2. Enhancing the BCCI’s capacity to manage activities under EU
programmes.3. Supporting the development and strengthening of the SMEs.4. Creation of business service networks: European Enterprise Network (EEN) – helps to small business to
find international business partners, source new technologies and receive EU funding. EEN increases business awareness on EU policies, environment, cohesion policy and structural funds putting stress upon innovations and technology transfer. EEN offers consulting services to SMEs and gets their feedback on EU policies.
5. Business research inquiries at a request of the customers.6. Economic analyses by sectors.7. Database references about the financial results of a company or a
group of companies.8. Annual classification TOP 100 – The leading companies and holdings in
the Bulgarian economy.9. Provision of information based on the annual financial statements of
the companies.10. Publication of annual financial statements.
For Contacts: Mariana Tancheva, DirectorTel.: (02) 988 34 82; 8117 508, Fax: (02) 987 32 09E-mail: [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTORATEhttp://www.bcci.bg/business-delegations-en.htmlhttp://www.bcci.bg/seminars-en.htmlhttp://www.bcci.bg/company-presentation.html
Main activities:1. Assistance for establishing business contacts with partners from all
over the word.2. Organizing workshops and seminars with Bulgarian and foreign lecturers
for entrepreneurs.3. Organizing business missions abroad and business forums and events in
Bulgaria.
For Contacts: Gabriela Dimitrova, DirectorTel.: (02) 987 25 38; 8117 489, Fax: (02) 987 32 09E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
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ARBITARAION COURT AT BCCIhttp://www.bcci.bg/arbitration/index.html
1. Out-of-court tribunal institution for fast and efficient settlement of private law property disputes.
2. Four times lower taxes for big claims in comparison with the taxes, applied by public court.
3. Possibility to include foreign arbitrators, if the company has more than 50% foreign capital.
4. 98% of the cases are solved within 12 months period.5. Possibility to involve private law enforcement agents.
Arbitration Clause, recommended by the BCCI:
“Any disputes arising from this contract or concerning it, including disputes arising from or concerning its interpretation, invalidity, non-performance of termination, as well as disputes about filling gaps in a contract or its adaption to newly arisen circumstances, shall be settled by the Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in accordance with its Rules for cases based on Arbitration Agreements.”
For Contacts: Silvi Chernev, PresidentTel.: (+359 2) 8117 434, Fax: (+359 2) 987 32 09E-mail: [email protected]
COUNCIL GS1 BULGARIA AT BCCIhttp://www.gs1bg.org/lang_en/
GS1 is a leading global organisation dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve efficiency and visibility in supply and demand chains globally and across sectors.
For Contacts: Christo Sodev, CEOTel.: (+359 2) 988 31 39, 8117 603, Fax: (+359 2) 987 32 09E-mail: [email protected]
27
BCCI – CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, TRANSLATIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND COMPANY SERVICES EOODhttp://www.bcci.bg/consultations-en.html
Main activities:1. Consultations on economic activity:
Provision of business information; а
Drafting of companies’ profiles; а
Provision of services to companies in carrying out their commercial а
activity;Standardization and quality control systems; а
Personnel planning, development and management; а
Patents, trademarks and protection of intellectual property ; а
Application and requirements of trade and customs regimes; а
Evaluation of assets and companies. а
2. Consultations on legal issues:Registration of companies; а
Drafting of commercial and specific contracts; а
Disputes in connection with infringed contractual relationships. а
3. Consultations on projects for financing:Drafting of project proposals for financing; а
Elaboration of business plans and projects; а
Preparation of tender and competition documentation; а
Provision of information on financial and insurance issues, а
franchising, and venture capital.4. Consultations on marketing research:
Internal and international markets; а
Elaboration of analyses and development strategies; а
Information on the status of particular sectors, branches or а
regions, commodity markets and prices.5. Consultations on tax issues6. Filling in/elaboration of commercial documents7. Translation / interpretation services:
Translation of corporate and private documents from/to more а
than 20 languages;Certification of documents before government and public offices а
and institutions;Legalization of documents at the Consular sections of foreign а
missions in the country.8. Training:
Organizing of seminars and training courses for expanding and а
improvement of personnel qualifications;Gaining skills and competences for professional development. а
9. Fairs and Exhibitions:Organization of specialized exhibitions and fairs in Bulgaria; а
Organizing individually, collectively or formal participation of а
Bulgarian companies in International fairs and exhibitions abroad.
For Contacts: Margarita DamyanovaTel.: (+359 2) 8117 477, Fax: (+359 2) 987 32 09e-mail: [email protected]
28
INDUSTRIAL ZONESFor more information and details of each zone, visit the following address:http://www.bcci.bg/zones/INDUSTRIAL PARK – STRIMON, SimitliINDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS PARK AITOS, AitosBURGAS INDUSTRIAL ZONE, BugrasINDUSTRIAL ZONE “MEDEN RUDNIK”, BurgasINDUSTRIAL ZONE “POBEDA”, BurgasINDUSTRIAL ZONE “NORTH”, BurgasINDUSTRIAL ZONE “SOUTH”, BurgasBALGAROVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, BalgaravoDOBRICH BUSINESS ZONE, DobrichINDUSTRIAL ZONE “NORTH”, DobrichINDUSTRIAL ZONE “WEST”, DobrichGENERAL TOSHEVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, General ToshevoGABROVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, GabrovoDIMITROVGRAD INDUSTRIAL ZONE, DimitrovgradFREE ZONE - SVILENGRAD, SvilengradSVILENGRAD INDUSTRIAL ZONE, SvilengradINDUSTRIAL ZONE KARDZHALI - SOUTH, KardzhaliLETNITSA INDUSTRIAL ZONE, LetnitsaTROYAN INDUSTRIAL ZONE, TroyanTECHNOLOGY PARK, MontanaINDUSTRIAL PARK - PAZARDZHIK, SeptemvriINDUSTRIAL ZONE, PernikINDUSTRIAL PARK PERNIK - EAST, PernikINDUSTRIAL ZONE PERNIK, PernikINDUSTRIAL ZONE DOLNA MITROPOLIA, Dolna MitropoliaINDUSTRIAL ZONE - PLEVEN, PlevenTELISH (PLEVEN) INDUSTRIAL ZONE, TelishINDUSTRIAL PARK RHODOPES, PlovdivKRUMOVO LOGISTICS ZONE, PlovdivASSENOVGRAD INDUSTRIAL ZONE, AsenovgradMARITSA INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ZONE, PlovdivNORTH INDUSTRIAL ZONE, PlovdivPLOVDIV FREE ZONE, PlovdivKALOYANOVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, KaloyanovoINDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ZONE KARADZHALOVO, KaradzhalovoKUKLEN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ZONE, KuklenRAKOVSKI INDUSTRIAL ZONE, StryamaBUSINESS ZONE “PERISTAR” - RAZGRAD, RazgradRUSE EAST INDUSTRIAL PARK, RuseINDUSTRIAL PARK RUSE, RuseIVANOVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, ShtraklevoKASPICHAN INDUSTRIAL ZONE, KaspichanSHUMEN INDUSTRIAL PARK, ShumenDANUBE INDUSTRIAL PARK, SilistraTCHAVDAR PARK BOTEVGRAD, BotevgradINDUSTRIAL PARK SOFIA, SofiaINDUSTRIAL PARK SOFIA EAST, Elin PelinSAMOKOV INDUSTRIAL ZONE, SamokovINDUSTRIAL PARK PROMOEST BULGARIA, SofiaINDUSTRIAL PARK WEST, SofiaELIN PELIN INDUSTRIAL PARK, Elin PelinGORNA MALINA INDUSTRIAL ZONE, Gorna MalinaINDUSTRIAL PARK - PETARCH, PetarchSTARA ZAGORA INDUSTRIAL ZONE, EleninoINDUSTRIAL ZONE ZSK, Stara ZagoraTARGOVISHTE INDUSTRIAL ZONE, TargovishteINDUSTRIAL ZONE VARNA - WEST, DevnyaFIRST INDUSTRIAL ZONE - AVREN, AvrenINDUSTRIAL ZONE VETRINO, VetrinoSUVOROVO INDUSTRIAL ZONE, SuvorovoVARNA WEST INDUSTRIAL ZONE, VarnaINDUSTRIAL ZONE - SOUTH, STRAZHITSA, StrazhitsaSVISHTOV INDUSTRIAL ZONE, SvishtovVRATZA INDUSTRIAL ZONE, Vratza
New building of the BCCI9 Iskar Str., Sofia
The building of SofiaCommercial and Industrial Chamber2 Slavianska Str., Sofiabuilt in 1914
The building of the BCCI42 Parchevich Str., Sofia
Opened 1995
