According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.7% in December 2017 as compared to November 2017. In December 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 2.0% in comparison with the same month of 2016.
In January 2018, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 1.1 percentage points in comparison with its October 2017 level, which is due entirely to the increased confidence among the urban population.
In the fourth quarter of 2017, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 296 residential buildings with 7 327 dwellings, of 30 administrative buildings/offices and 1 130 other buildings. The construction of 779 residential buildings with 4 215 dwellings, of 16 administrative buildings/offices and 570 other buildings was started.
In November 2017 compared to October 2017 an increase is reported for the production of transport diesel - by 7.6% and electricity - by 17.3%. A decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 16.7% and liquefied petroleum gases - by 10.0%. No change for the production of unleaded motor gasoline.
In November 2017 compared to October 2017 an increase is reported for the deliveries of unleaded motor gasoline - by 35.1%, natural gas - by 33.1% and electricity - by 11.5%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 16.2%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 6.7% and transport diesel - by 22.3%.
Total Producer Price Index in December 2017 remains unchanged compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the prices rose by 4.1%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2017 increases by 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the domestic prices grew by 5.1%.
In December 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 459.2 thousand or by 15.6% above the registered in December 2016. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in December 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.1%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 27.6%, and with professional purpose - 23.3%.
In December 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 596.1 thousand or by 12.2% more in comparison with December 2016. In December 2017, the predominant share of the visits with other purposes was 46.4%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 35.1%, and with professional purpose - 18.5%.
In January 2018, the total business climate indicator increases by 2.6 percentage points compared to December 2017. An improvement of the business conjuncture is registered in industry and service sector, while in construction and retail trade the indicator remains approximately to its level from the previous month.
In the period January - October 2017 the Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 10.9% compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to 28 769.3 Million BGN. The imports from the EU also grew by 10.9% and added up to 30 838.7 Million BGN.
In October 2017 the exports to the EU increased by 11.2% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and added up to 3 226.5 Million BGN while the imports grew by 9.5% and amounted to 3 560.6 Million BGN.
In the period January - November 2017 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 12.7% compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to 16 148.1 Million BGN while the imports grew by 23.6% and added up to 19 322.5 Million BGN.
In the period January - November 2017 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 48 111.6 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports increased by 11.8% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 53 729.7 Million BGN and grew by 15.4%.
In November 2017, 1 787 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places were functioned in the country. The total number of the rooms in them was 52.3 thousand and the bed-places were 106.3 thousand. In comparison with November 2016, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) decreased by 1.3%, and the bed-places in them - by 0.6%.
The total number of the nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in November 2017 was 711.3 thousand, or by 10.5% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year.
The total revenues from nights spent in November 2017 reached 37.5 million BGN or by 12.5% more compared to November 2016.