Erma Petrova

Head of Department

Contact Information:

Contact number: 029857145
Email: [email protected]

General information

Born on April 21, 1976 in Ihtiman, Bulgaria

Degrees obtained :
Master of International Economic Relations - University of National and World Economy, Sofia (2002-2004)
Bachelor of Business Administraton - Thames Valley University, London, franchising, based in University of National and World Economy, Sofia (1998-2002)

Professional experience:
10.1998 - 10.2001 - Bulgarian Post Bank - Credit and Debit cards expert
05.2002 - 05.2005 - National Statistical Institute, “Purchasing power parities”- chief expert
05.2005 - 09.2022 - National Statistical Institute, “Foreign trade statistics in goods”- chief expert, state expert
Since September, 2023 - Head of division, “Foreign trade statistics in goods”
Language skills - Fluent English,uses Greek
‘Statistics on foreign trade in goods’ Department activities

The ‘Statistics on foreign trade in goods’ Department (FTS) shall perform the following activities:

1. develop new and improve existing methodologies, methods and statistical tools for conducting statistical surveys in the field of foreign trade in goods statistics and ensure their harmonization with Eurostat’s requirements;

2. conduct statistical surveys included in the National Statistical Programme in the field of foreign trade in goods statistics;

3. develop, coordinate and update the legal framework in the field of foreign trade in goods statistics in compliance with the European legislation;

4. coordinate the work of the department with other structures inside and outside NSI related to provision, processing, validation, control and dissemination of data on foreign trade in goods statistics;

5. define the thresholds and estimate the values of the trade in goods below the thresholds and of non-response for the Intrastat system;

6. be liable for updating, maintenance and extension of the Information System "Foreign Trade" (ISFT);

7. be liable for dissemination of foreign trade data to the users in the country and abroad;

8. be liable for the organization in carrying out mirror exercises on commodity flows;

9. provide methodological support to the institutions providing data from administrative sources and participate in the development and maintenance of registers, classifications and nomenclatures used in reporting foreign trade statistics;

10. participate in the work of committees, working and target groups, meetings and seminars at national and international level in the field of foreign trade in goods statistics;

11. work on improvement of foreign trade data quality and prepare quality reports;

12. provide methodological support to the respondents and to the users of foreign trade data;

13. carry out information exchange of foreign trade data with Eurostat, other institutions, international organizations and countries;

14. prepare reports and statements on the issues of foreign trade in goods statistics;

15. prepare and provide data on foreign trade in goods necessary for the Eurostat and NSI websites, the general statistical publications of the NSI, IS Infostat and international questionnaires;

16. prepare tailor-made data on users’ requests.

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) is a state institution in Bulgaria that collects, processes and disseminates official statistical information on social, economic and demographic processes in the country. The NSI's activities are aimed at providing objective and reliable data that support informed decision-making by the state, business and society. The Institute works in accordance with international statistical standards and is an active participant in the European Statistical System.