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Speculations on the currency board future may be dangerous
The guarantees for financial stability in the country seem important on the background of the ever-growing and frequent pessimistic forecasts by external analysts of the development of Bulgarian economy and the monetary regime – forecasts whose logic seems odd to us, the Bulgarian economists. Ten years after the abolishment of i... -
Is it difficult to make definite forecasts?
Is it really that hard for economists to provide clear and definite estimates and forecasts for the economic situation? Actually not. We state that despite worries and warnings of many analysts, the following things will not happen in Bulgaria:1/ the BGN/EUR exchange rate will not change until the introduction of the euro as the... -
Industry Watch poll of forecasters envisages 6.3% economic growth in 2008
2007 Growth RatesGDP 6.4Consumer prices 8.5 Consumption 6.0Investments 23.3Exports 6.4Imports 12.2Budget surplus (% of GDP) 3.72008 Growth RatesGDP 6.3Consumer prices 5.7Consumption 5.8 Investments 18.3 Exports 7.7Imports 10.6Budget surplus (% of GDP) 2.8... -
The political choice for the fiscal 2008
In recent months syndicates have been active participants in the public debate on the formation of the fiscal policy. In August they declared themselves opponents to the suggested income tax reduction to 10%. In September the focus shifted from the tax to the expenditure policy of the government with the beginning of the teacher... -
Why the housing price “bubble” in Bulgaria won’t burst
The housing crisis in the USA focused many analysts’ attention onto Eastern Europe and Bulgaria in particular, as some opinions stated that the housing price “bubble” might burst. On the other hand, most local experts communicated the thesis, that the mortgage crisis in the USA will probably have limited impact on real estate pr... -
Public sector strikes in the context of labor market
The political nature of public sector strikes shifted the focus from the more important issue – about the place of the employed in the public domains of labor market in Bulgaria. Many are asking themselves the question what some teachers would for example do, if they do not have their salary, or after all “how they survive at th... -
Industry Watch presents Biggest Cities Review: Regular report on cost of labor
According to latest data on labor cost Sofia provides the most expensive labor for medium positions, whereas in Plovdiv and Burgas wages are about 20% lower.Together with differences in wages we also monitor differences in life expenses between cities in Bulgaria. The cost of living index confirms results from the previous repor... -
Despite some catastrophic forecasts the Bulgarian economy is still growing
The moment of GDP data release for the half-year coincided with ? big conference, dedicated to the currency board and the future entry of Bulgaria in the Euro area. From historic perspective the introduction of the currency board in Bulgaria set the foundation for the longest period of continuous economic prosperity. Some result...