Bulgaria's gross external debt amounted to EUR 30,987.1 million (94.4% of GDP) as at the end of May 2008, an increase of EUR 2,863.4 million (10.2%) against the end of 2007 (EUR 28,123.7 million, 97.3% of GDP), data of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) show.

This was mainly due to the increase of Direct Investment liabilities (EUR 1,459.8 million, 15.2%). Long-term liabilities amounted to EUR 20,502.6 million (66.2% of total debt) by end-May 2008, while short-term liabilities came to EUR 10,484.5 million (33.8% of total debt).

General Government’s external debt amounted to EUR 2,673.5 million (8.1% of GDP) as of end-May 2008, decreasing by EUR 350.7 million (11.6%) against the end of December 2007. The decrease was mainly due to credit payments made to the World Bank ahead of schedule in March 2008.

Banks’ external debt amounted to EUR 6,434.8 million (19.6% of GDP) increasing by EUR 687.3 million (12%) against the end of 2007. Other Sectors’ debt stood at EUR 10,836.9 million, increasing by EUR 1067 million (10.9%) relative to the end of 2007. The stock of Direct Investment liabilities amounted to EUR 11,042 million as of end-May 2008, increasing by EUR 1,459.8 million (15.2%) against the end of 2007.

Gross external debt service was EUR 2,462.1 million (7.5% of GDP) in January – May 2008, against EUR 2,586.4 million (9% of GDP) for the corresponding period in 2007.

Loans and deposits received from non-residents came to EUR 3,841.6 million (11.7% of GDP) in January – May 2008, compared to EUR 3,223.7 million (11.2% of GDP) for the same period in 2007.

The net external debt came to EUR 14,202 million (43.3% of GDP) as of end-May 2008, an increase by EUR 3,105.2 million (28%) against the end of 2007 (EUR 11,096.9 million, 38.4% of GDP).