Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova addressed the National Council of the Bulgarian Association of Industrial Capital, noting that the government’s tenure began amid global economic uncertainty. The ministry reported that substantial efforts were made in collaboration with employers to identify effective support measures for businesses. Shtonova detailed early policy adjustments, mentioning that initial compensation calculations for high electricity prices, based on a six-month period, proved inadequate.
She stated that this measure was quickly revised to a monthly calculation. Furthermore, she highlighted the significance of the European Commission’s approval for temporary state aid, allocating €334 million over three years to help energy-intensive companies maintain economic viability. To mitigate the fallout from the Middle East conflict, the government implemented targeted measures designed to support specific sectors without generating inflationary pressure.
These provisions include ensuring liquidity for transportation companies and agricultural producers. As part of this support, guarantees have been established for lease agreements, allowing payment deferrals until the end of the year, and increases in toll fees have been postponed across all economic sectors. The Minister emphasized that continuous dialogue between the ministry and the employers remains central to sound decision-making within the broader economy.
She stressed that maintaining this cooperative dialogue is a top priority and one that must continue to build upon existing efforts.
Topics: #economy #ministry #employers
