"A 3.5 per cent rate of economic growth in 2011 is not impossible to achieve," Bulgarian Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov said here on Saturday.

"To this end, it is necessary to pursue active policies. Therefore, my Ministry has asked for more money to promote investment," he said.

Traikov believes that the national budget deficit is not a cause for concern. "It is more important to achieve growth than to seek excellent deficit performance," he said.

Discussing the summer tourist season, the Minister said that unofficial estimates confirm the forecast about a 5 per cent increase in hotel overnights. The increase in revenues will be smaller due to the price policies of hotel owners, he said.

"Mass tourism has done well this year, but branding is the thing which will open more doors for us and will attract more tourists," the Minister said. He did not specify what the new brand of Bulgaria will be, saying that this is a job for professionals.

Source: BTA