Press releases

In the period January - September 2017 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 15.0% compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to 13 042.9 Million BGN while the imports grew by 25.0% and added up to 15 552.1 Million BGN.

In the period January - September 2017 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 38 598.2 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports increased by 12.3% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 42 833.2 Million BGN and grew by 15.8%.

According to the preliminary data, in September 2017 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 1.0% below the level of the previous month. In September 2017 the working day adjusted index of production in construction increased by 6.0% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in September 2017 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.1% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.3% in September 2017 as compared to August 2017. In September 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 3.2% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2017 the number of newly built residential buildings was 506 and the newly built dwellings in them were 2 018. Compared to the third quarter of 2016 the buildings were by 30 more (or by 6.3%) while the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 361 or by 15.2%. 

In October 2017, the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 0.7 percentage points compared to July which is due to the reduced confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants.

In the third quarter of 2017, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 526 residential buildings with 7 135 dwellings, of 28 administrative buildings/offices and 1 221 other buildings. The construction of 982 residential buildings with 3 409 dwellings, of 27 administrative buildings/offices and 692 other buildings was started.

In 2016, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 734.0 million BGN which was 13.7% less than the previous year.

In August 2017 compared to July 2017 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 4.4%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 1.3%, transport diesel - by 2.2% and electricity - by 1.9%. There is no change in the production of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas.

In August 2017 compared to July 2017 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 3.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.9%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 37.8%, transport diesel - by 24.1% and electricity - by 0.7%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of natural gas - by 5.6%.  

Total Producer Price Index in September 2017 increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the prices rose by 5.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in September 2017 increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the domestic prices grew by 6.0%.