Loan History Matters In Bulgaria 19/03/2008
Entry to the EuropeanUnion has reverberated across a number of sectors. However, it has hada limited impact on a phenomenon that has persisted throughout the pastfew years. Fast expansion in the loans market has seen Bulgaria’s loanexposure reach the levels of the rest of Europe, a recent report said.Yet it also said that Bulgarians have half the income other Europeansdo, which immediately casts doubt on the ability of Bulgarians to repaytheir loans. In addition, banks’ portfolios have become too dependenton loans, the average percentage in commercial banks’ assets being, atabout 70 per cent, past the tentative ceiling of 50 per cent. Thesituation prompted Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) to raise the share ofmandatory reserves commercial banks hold with the central bank fromeight to 12... more

Sofia in a Hurry To Sell Enticing Property Unit 14/03/2008
Sofia factory Tramcar, specialised in tram repairs and manufacture of trolleys, has long been siphoned off, but could see its financial trouble compound further by relocation plans, Sega daily reported. Municipal councillors from different parties have insisted on moving the factory to another location with view to sell the enticing 44 000 sq m plot it currently occupies on the Tsar Boris III boulevard, one of Sofia's biggest thoroughfares. more

Natura 2000 Protests In Bulgaria Result From Lack Of Information 13/03/2008
The execution of Natura 2000 project in Bulgaria will fail if officials and people do not reach agreement, head of the ecological network for Bulgaria and representative of Green Balkans Simeon Marin said. Residents of southwestern Bulgarian towns have long been protesting against the introduction of the environmental network in Bulgaria. People feared that restrictions related to environmental protection will chase away investors. Protests resulted from the poor information campaign accompanying the introduction of Natura 2000 in Bulgaria, said Marin as quoted by Focus news agency. No matter what option is accepted, some parties will remain unsatisfied, said Marin. Property owners and construction companies will oppose the network no matter what, said Marin. Mass... more