As of end-April 2008 gross external debt stood at EUR 30,724.8 million (93.8% of GDP2) which is 2,601 million (9.2%) up against the end of 2007 (EUR 28,123.7 million, 97.3% of GDP). This was mainly due to the increase of Direct Investment liabilities (EUR 1,159.2 million, 12.1%), the Bulgarian National Bank said.

By end-April 2008 long-term liabilities amounted to EUR 20,212.6 million (65.8% of total debt), and short-term liabilities came to EUR 10,512.2 million (34.2% of total debt).

General Government’s external debt amounted to EUR 2,691.3 million (8.2% of GDP) as of end-April 2008, down EUR 332.8 million (11%) against the end of December 2007.

The decrease was mainly due to credit payments made in March 2008 to the World Bank, ahead of schedule.

Banks’ external debt amounted to EUR 6,485.3 million (19.8% of GDP) or 12.8% up against the end of 2007. Other Sectors’ debt was EUR 10,806.8 million, or 10.6% up y/y.

The stock of Direct Investment liabilities is up 12.1% y/y in April to EUR 10,741.4 million.

Gross external debt service stood at EUR 2,214.5 million (6.8% of GDP) against EUR 2,094.8 million (7.2% of GDP) a year ago.

Loans and deposits received from non-residents came to EUR 3,503.6 million (10.7% of GDP) compared to EUR 2,763.9 million (9.6% of GDP) for the same period in 2007.

As of end-April 2008, net external debt was EUR 13,648.5 million (41.7% of GDP) or by EUR 2,636 million (23.9%) up against the end of 2007 (EUR 11,012.6 million, 38.1% of GDP).