New Tendencies In Bulgarias Vacation Property Market 12/03/2008
New tendencies in the vacation property market in Bulgaria were to be expected, agents said during the Southeast European economic forum that began on October 31. Vacation property demand in the central parts of the country was going to increase, mediapool.bg reported. The demand would be highest in villages known for spa treatment opportunities. Hisarya, Velingrad and Sandanski could soon become new vacation property hotspots, mediapool.bg reported. The State Agency for Tourism (SAT) was going to aid developments increasing the popularity of Bulgaria's alternative tourism. Bulgaria ranked second after Island in the availability of mineral water springs and had to make use of this potential, SAT representatives said. Lack of proper infrastructure in these villages... more

Invasion Of The Trade Snatchers 14/03/2008
After an avalanche of investment in shopping centres in Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv, another trend has emerged. Entrepreneurs targeted smaller regional urban centres where markets have not yet reached the maturity of the "big three". Realtors have one simple rule for malls: one large shopping centre is viable for every 100 000 residents in an urban area, including cities, nearby towns and villages. Subsequently, "Location, location, location", real estate's all-important maxim, becomes paramount. Most experts agree that projects in the three big cities have reached saturation point. If all planned shopping centres in Varna materialise, then the market will be unable to absorb all the retail space, according to Foros' real estate agency analysis.  Foros' managing director,... more

Bulgarian Labour Minister Busts Building Site - Sophia Echo 15/07/2008
Bulgaria will draft a list of companies that are repeat offenders against the country's labour laws and these companies will be barred from access to operational programmes and European funds, Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova said on July 14.She was speaking after leading officials and journalists on snap inspections of a building site in the capital city's Manastirski Livadi neighbourhood near Bulgaria Boulevard and of a pizzeria.The inspections were part of a "mass check-up" that has started throughout Bulgaria, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry said.The ministry ordered that work be suspended at the building site after the snap inspection found that workers lacked safety equipment, that two workers were under-age, and that two out of eight workers did not have... more