BULGARIA TO APPOINT AN OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF IMPLEMENTING EU MEASURES FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

Bulgaria will appoint an official in charge of implementing the measures provided in the EU Strategy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (the so-called Small Business Act), announced at a joint press conference Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov and Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, who visited Bulgaria at the end of last week. The main priority in the activities of the EC (European Commission) in the field of SMEs will be the assistance for the internationalisation of their operation.

An EU directive has already been adopted providing for EU member states to settle their accounts with companies within 30 days and only under exceptional circumstances within 60 days. This became clear at the meeting of representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) with Tajani. The governments of the individual EU member states will be granted a two-year period for the transposition of the directive into their national legislations.

The EU Commissioner participated in the conference on the future of electromobiles being carried out in Sofia. Bulgaria missed its chance to join the standard automotive manufacturing, but it can compensate this drawback in this new industry. The electricity price in Bulgaria is relatively low, whereas the investment policy is extremely advantageous and there are low taxes, stated Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Evgeni Angelov.

Boosting the purchase of electromobiles could also be realised through direct state subsidy and by reduction of taxes, etc, specified Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov.