Bulgarian textile and apparel production has reached 1.8 bln Euro in terms of value, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported. The volume of production however has dropped 6%, Kamen Obreshkov, member of the management of the Bulgarian Association of Apparel and Textile Producers and Exporters (BAPIOT), said.

At a meeting in Rousse members of the association noted with relief that their concerns of a possible crisis in the branch after Bulgaria’s EU accession had been unjustified.

The average monthly wage (300-400 leva) in the Rousse-based enterprises from the branch has increased.

The main objective of BAPOIT is to maintain and increase current production volumes in Bulgaria’s textile and apparel industry which employs 170,000 people, the association’s chairperson Valeria Jekova said.

The organization unites 155 individual businesses and three collective organizations. As an example of the fruitful collective efforts of the association’s members Jekova named the overcoming of the customs problems in the beginning of this year.

BAPIOT is in constant dialogue with the ministry in finance to solve challenges posed by the changes in Bulgaria’s VAT legislation. The association will discuss this problem today with representatives of the ministry, Jekova said.

She announced the launching of a new social initiative of the association aimed at establishing labour discipline among kids from the Bulgarian orphanages and helping them find work after they attain majority.