Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova stated at a meeting of the National Council of the Bulgarian Association of Industrial Capital that the current government term coincided with rising global uncertainty. The Economy Ministry reported that during this period, the ministry collaborated closely with employers to identify effective support measures for businesses. Shtonova noted that an initial discussion focused on adjusting the calculation method for monthly business compensation due to high electricity costs.
Initially calculated over a six-month period, the measure proved ineffective, leading to a prompt adjustment to a monthly calculation basis. Furthermore, she highlighted the significance of the European Commission’s approval for temporary state aid, allocating EUR 334 million over three years to maintain the economic viability of energy-intensive companies. To mitigate the impacts of the Middle East conflict, the ministry implemented several additional measures, carefully designed to support specific sectors without generating inflationary pressure.
These include providing liquidity support for transportation companies and agricultural producers. The government has issued guarantees for their lease agreements, allowing payment deferrals until the end of the year, and has also postponed increases in toll fees affecting all economic sectors. The minister emphasized that dialogue between the ministry and employers is crucial for sound decision-making.
She stated that maintaining this dialogue remains a top priority for her tenure.
Topics: #economy #ministry #employers
