The real economy growth in 2009 is estimated at 6.8% and in 2008 at 6.4%, according to data presented by the Ministry of Economy and Energy at a seminar entitled Economy Encouragement – New Legislation.

According to the prognoses, investments in equity capital will reach 31.5% of GDP this year and at 33% in 2009. If the prognoses come true, this would rank Bulgaria second in the EU, the Bulgarian National Radio states. Last year our country was fifth on this indicator. First was Estonia, followed by Latvia, Spain and Romania.

Bulgaria ranks third in Europe in terms of industrial growth in February 2008 with a hike of 81.6% compared with 2000, a Eurostat report reveals. In 2007 the industrial sector grew at an average of 14%.

Stoyan Stalev, executive director of the Bulgarian Investments Agency, also spoke at the forum, pointing out that Bulgaria attracted more than 12 billion euros of FDI in the past two years, which is more than 50% of the total amount of funds the country has attracted since 1990. The Agency is currently supporting 103-104 projects worth a total of 16 billion euros. Those initiatives will be creating thousands of jobs, Stalev added.

Photo: BGNES