The workers in the cigarette factories in Plovdiv and Stara Zagora (which are about to be privatized through BSE) will receive compensations in the amount of 30,000 – 36,000 leva, said the Minister of Economy and Energetics Petar Dimitrov.

Minister Dimitrov said this was part of the agreement signed with the syndicates last night. On bTV he said the privatization process will be absolutely transparent.

This is the first time a privatization process does not trigger social tensions, he added. The two other Bulgartabak companies – in Sofia and Blagoevgrad, are still looking for strategic investors. Meetings with the four big players in the sector have been arranged.

Minister Dimitrov also said that if the current investigations in the holding prove there have been violations, certain people may be fired and there might even be drastic changes in the holding's management.

Minutes before the opening of today's bourse session, there is a bid on the position of Plovdiv BT at 12.51 leva and no asks. Bids/asks for Slantse Stara Zagora Tabak are at 9.10/10.74 leva per share.