Press releases

In the period January - August 2016 the Bulgarian exports to the EU grew by 4.8% compared to the same period of 2015 and amounted to 20 178.2 Million BGN while the imports from the EU increased by 1.1% and reached 21 750.0 Million BGN.

In August 2016 the exports to the EU grew by 8.8% in comparison with the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 2 681.6 Million BGN while the imports added up to 2 783.6 Million BGN and grew by 18.1%.

In the period January - September 2016 the Bulgarian exports to third countries decreased by 12.0% compared to the same period of 2015 and amounted to 10 719.0 Million BGN while the imports dropped by 11.1% and added up to 12 326.4 Million BGN.

In the period January - September 2016 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 33 740.1 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports decreased by 0.5% while the total value of all imported goods added up to        36 807.7 Million BGN and dropped by 3.3%.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 0.2% in September 2016 as compared to August 2016. In September 2016 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 3.3% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

According to the preliminary data, in September 2016 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 0.5% below the level of the previous month. In September 2016 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 10.0% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in September 2016 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous month.

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2016 the number of newly built residential buildings was 476 and the newly built dwellings in them were 2 379. Compared to the third quarter of 2015 the buildings were 101 less (or 17.5%), and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 77 or by 3.1%.

In October 2016 the total consumer confidence indicator preserves approximately to its July level.

In the third quarter of 2016, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 183 residential buildings with 4 937 dwellings, of 51 administrative buildings/offices and 1 170 other buildings. The construction of 830 residential buildings with 3 144 dwellings, of 32 administrative buildings/offices and 585 other buildings was started.

In 2015, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 847.2 million BGN which was 27.4% more than the previous year.

In August 2016 compared to July 2016 an increase is reported for the production of natural gas by 16.7% and electricity - by 1.0%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels by 0.2%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 18.2%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 5.8%, and transport diesel - by 16.7%.

In August 2016 compared to July 2016 an increase is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases by 2.2% and natural gas - by 2.5%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels by 0.2%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 17.0%, transport diesel - by 19.3%, and electricity - by 0.8%.