Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova addressed the National Council of the Bulgarian Association of Industrial Capital, detailing the measures undertaken by the government to support businesses amid global economic uncertainty. According to the Economy Ministry, the period of the caretaker government required close collaboration with employers to identify effective support mechanisms for the industrial sector. Shtonova highlighted the initial focus on adjusting compensation calculations for businesses impacted by high electricity prices.
She noted that the previous six-month calculation method proved inadequate, leading to a swift implementation change to a monthly compensation basis. Furthermore, she pointed to the European Commission’s approval of temporary state aid, allocating EUR 334 million over three years to preserve the economic viability of energy-intensive enterprises. To mitigate the consequences stemming from the military conflict in the Middle East, the ministry has introduced targeted measures designed to support specific sectors without fueling inflationary pressures.
These actions include providing liquidity to transportation companies and agricultural producers, alongside offering guarantees for their lease agreements, which allows payment deferrals until the end of the year. Additionally, the planned increase in toll fees affecting all economic sectors has been postponed. Minister Shtonova stressed that ongoing dialogue between the ministry and employers is fundamental to sound decision-making.
She emphasized that this collaborative engagement remains a top priority for the government’s economic strategy moving forward.
Topics: #economy #ministry #employers
It sounds like cooperation between the ministry and employers will be crucial for guiding economic decisions.