02.10.2013

"The political situation is a challenge to us but it helps us keep the focus on conducting reforms". This is what Minister of Finance told CNBC. He added that the government had a clear reform programme to follow and the results would show whether it was worth governing or not. According to him the protests were political rather than social. The Finance Minister assured that the Government would do everything possible to work for the restart of economy, on the one hand, and for proposing measures in order to solve the most pressing problems in the social area, on the other hand.

The Minister also outlined his priorities: "We are currently drafting next year's budget and are making legislative amendments to enhance competitiveness and increase the chances for participation of SMEs in public procurement procedures". Mr. Chobanov pointed out that measures were being taken to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and citizens and to restructure public expenditure so as to make room for investment.

The Minister of Finance also commented on the situation in the euro area. "At this stage we prefer awaiting the completion of the reforms and the restructuring of the institutions of the customs union to see its final form", he said. Mr. Petar Chobanov said that Bulgaria would join the euro area when the moment for this would come but the Bulgarian state also had to make a number of reforms to restart its economic growth and enhance its competitiveness.

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