Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova addressed the National Council of the Bulgarian Association of Industrial Capital, outlining the government’s response to global economic uncertainty. The ministry reported that during the caretaker period, significant efforts were made in collaboration with employers to identify and implement effective support measures for businesses. Shtonova noted that an initial focus was addressing changes in monthly compensation calculations for businesses impacted by high electricity prices.
She stated that the original six-month calculation proved insufficient, leading to a rapid adjustment to a monthly basis for the compensation structure. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of the European Commission’s approval for temporary state aid. This allocation of EUR 334 million over three years is designed to sustain the economic viability of energy-intensive enterprises.
To mitigate the consequences of the military conflict in the Middle East, the government has implemented several targeted measures aimed at supporting specific sectors without generating inflationary pressures. These actions include providing liquidity support to transportation companies and agricultural producers. To ease immediate financial burdens, the government is guaranteeing lease agreements, allowing payments to be deferred until the end of the year, and has postponed increases in toll fees across all economic sectors.
The Minister emphasized that continuous dialogue between the ministry and the business community is fundamental to sound decision-making in the current economy. She stressed that maintaining this consultative process with employers remains a top priority for the government.
Topics: #economy #ministry #employers
