The Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energetics Petar Dimitrov said in Parliament today that he expects direct foreign investment in Bulgaria to top 7 billion leva (3.57 mln euros) this year. Foreign investment in January 2008 was double the amount attracted in January 2007.

Dimitrov said he expects this tendency to be observed all year round. He also said Bulgaria is one of the most attractive countries for foreign investors, according to World Bank standards.

“We have all reasons to think that the capital inflow this year will be much higher than in 2007,” Dimitrov said.

He pointed out that a total of 25 certificates for Class A investments were issued in the country last year after the passing of the Law on Investment Promotion . The total value of those projects stood at 4 billion leva (2.04 bln euros) and in the next three years they will create 19,000 new jobs.

The Ministry of Economy and Energetics is planning to allocate 20 million leva (10.2 mln euros) from the state budget for promotion of investment projects this year, the Minister said for the Bulgarian National Radio.

Photo: BGNES