Press releases

In January 2016 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 6.3% compared to the same period of 2015 and amounted to 1.164 Billion BGN while the imports decreased by 17.8 and added up to 1.203 Billion BGN.

In January 2016 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 3.424 Billion BGN and compared to the same month of the previous year the exports grew by 1.0% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 3.464 Billion BGN and decreased by 8.3%.

According to the preliminary data, in January 2016 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 3.4% below the level of the previous month. In January 2016 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 10.7% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in January 2016 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices kept the level of the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.8% in January 2016 as compared to December 2015. In January 2016 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 3.0% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

According to the seasonally adjusted data, the GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2015 is 3.0% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

In 2014, regional GDP per capita, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards, ranged from 30% of the European Union (EU) average in the Bulgarian region of Severozapaden, to 539% of the average in Inner London-West in the United Kingdom.

This information is taken from data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In December 2015 compared to November 2015 an increase of the production of solid fuels - by 14.6%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 3.3%, and electricity - by 15.9%, is reported. At the same time a decrease of the production of transport diesel - by 6.3% is reported. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas.

In December 2015 compared to November 2015 an increase of the deliveries of solid fuels - by 15.8%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 26.7%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 19.0%, natural gas - by 21.3%, and electricity - by 13.3%, is reported. At the same time a decrease of the deliveries of transport diesel - by 3.5% is reported. 

In January 2016, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 306.9 thousand or by 4.0% above the registered in January 2015. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in January 2016 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 46.9%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 31.1%, and with holiday and recreation purposes - 22.0%.

In January 2016, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 410.1 thousand or by 4.2% above the level of January 2015. An increase was registered in the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - by 18.3%, and with other purposes - by 4.1%, while the trips with professional purpose decreased by 24.0%.

Total Producer Price Index in January 2016 declined by 1.0% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2015 the prices went down by 3.3%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in January 2016 decreased by 0.7% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2015 the domestic prices fell by 2.9%. 

In February 2016 the total business climate indicator increases by 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous month a result of the more favourable business climate in industry, retail trade and service sector.