Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Finance Minister Assen Vassilev expects the deficit to be lower than planned

Finance Minister Assen Vassilev
Photo: BTA

Preliminary data on the implementation of the budget show that the deficit will be lower than planned, Bulgaria’s Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev said in parliament.

"I expect the deficit to be 2.5%, not 3%. This will leave EUR 500 million that we can use to support next year’s municipal projects, which refutes all dark scenarios that the state will go bankrupt", said Minister Vassilev. According to Assen Vassilev these data give grounds from the euro area perspective to say that the deficit criterion is fully met this year. Next year’s budget is also within the Maastricht criteria. "The only thing that remains is the inflation criterion", Assen Vassilev explained. He added that inflation is largely imported through food and energy sources. According to Minister Vassilev, in June-July 2024 Bulgaria is expected to meet this criterion as well, because prices are falling, and so the country can safely enter the euro area.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Survey: Almost half of Bulgarians sceptical about euro adoption

47% of Bulgarians disagree with the statement that Bulgaria's entry into the euro area will boost the Bulgarian economy and raise their living standards. This is the result of a national survey conducted by the Market Links agency between 27 April and..

published on 5/10/24 10:39 AM

OECD expects inflation in Bulgaria to slow from 9.5% in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts an acceleration in Bulgaria's economic growth from 1.8% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2024 and to 2.9% in 2025 as public investment increases along with EU funds. OECD expects inflation..

published on 5/2/24 5:42 PM

Zero VAT on flour and bread extended until end of 2024

MPs have agreed to extend the 0% VAT on bread and flour, which was due to expire on June 30, until the end of 2024. Under the GERB proposal, traders will be allowed to add a maximum of 15% profit margin on bread, but the proposal is limited to the most..

published on 4/30/24 6:09 PM