BULGARIAN BUSINESS: POLITICAL SCANDALS THREATEN ECONOMY

The leadership of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) and the Confederation of Employers and Industrials in Bulgaria (CEIB) appealed strongly to politicians to stop dealing with scandals and focus on economy.

The Chair of BIA, Bozhidar Danev, warned the economy will begin triggering its own scandals if it continues to be unmanaged.

The Chair of CEIB, Ognyan Donev, pointed out Bulgarian business needs a peaceful environment and the pursuit of priorities, adding the tensions from the last weeks have pushed economy far down on the agenda.

The press conference Monday was attended by representatives of employers' organizations, presenting the 2011 priorities in the light of their dialogue with the national institutions.

The business did, however, note that for the first time there is significant effort in the country to counter organized crime.

The employers say their main "worries" in 2011 are the application of the anti-crisis measures, the level of absorption of EU funds, administrative, health care and retirement reforms.

Donev further made the grim forecast 2011 will be remembered as "the year of bankruptcies."

CEIB put on the table the proposal to link electronically all pharmacy stores in Bulgaria to the National Revenue Agency (NRA), similarly to the mandate for gas stations.