Bulgaria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 18.555 bln leva in nominal terms in the third quarter of 2008, data of the national Statistical Institute (NSI) show. The GDP calculated at current prices rose by 5.6%, compared to the corresponding period of 2007.

The gross value added generated in the economy amounted to 15.488 bln leva at current prices, which represents an increase of 6.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2007.

The 5.6-percent increase in GDP may be put down mainly to the higher gross value added growth in the agriculture sector, which rose by 37.8%, compared to the third quarter of last year.

The gross value added in the industrial sector increased by 4.3%, while the services sector market a 3.5-percent year on year rise.

The agriculture sector accounted for 10.7% of the overall gross value added generated in the economy. The share of the industrial sector and the services sector stood at 31.6 and 57.7%, respectively.

In terms of final use components, individual consumption went up by 3.2%, while collective consumption grew by 0.8%, compared to the third quarter of 2007. Gross fixed capital formation increased by 10.9%.

The share of final consumption accounted for 75.7% of the final use of GDP. A total of 28.7% of the GDP was used for gross fixed capital formation. The foreign trade gap declined by 12.1% compared to the year ago period.

Bulgaria's GDP for the first nine months of the year came to 47.983 bln. Leva at current prices. The figure represents a 6.5-percent year on year increase.

The gross value added in the economy stood at 39.429 bln leva in the first nine months of 2008, up by 6.9% compared to the year-ago period.