Bulgaria Permanent Virtual Exhibition and Business Directory

he population of 7.36 million people is predominantly urban and mainly concentrated in the administrative centres of its 28 provinces. With 1.2 million people, the capital Sofia is the largest city and concentrates most commercial and cultural activities.

The strongest sectors of the economy are heavy industry, power engineering and agriculture, all relying on local natural resources. Bulgaria is the home of some of the most ancient cultural artefacts in the world and was a historical crossroad for various civilisations. The Soviet Union invaded Bulgaria in 1944 and the country remained part of the Eastern Bloc until the end of Communist rule in 1989. Bulgaria became a parliamentary republic in 1990 after its first multiparty election since World War II and the drafting of a new constitution.

The country became an EU member in 2007. Bulgaria is a large and robust agricultural producer – its key products include barley, fruits, livestock, sunflowers, sugar beets, tobacco, wheat and wine. Bulgarian companies contribute to GDP in industries such as base metals, chemical products, coke, food and beverage, machinery and equipment, nuclear fuel and refined petroleum. The country’s most significant export partners include Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Belgium and France. Bulgaria averaged more than 6% growth from 2004 to 2008 – this growth was driven by domestic consumption and FDI.

The Bulgarian government is committed to attracting further FDI and to economic reforms and careful fiscal planning. While the Bulgarian economy contracted during the global fiscal downturn which began in the fourth quarter of 2008, GDP is expected to grow in 2011. Bulgaria has also recently begun to promote itself as a tourist destination. With approximately 750,000 Internet hosts and almost four million Internet users, Bulgaria is wired for business. If you’re looking to partner with a great Bulgarian company, look no further than the most comprehensive Bulgarian business directory anywhere, BulgariaExpoOnline.com.

Doing Business in Bulgaria

Bulgaria's population of 7.3 million has steadily declined and aged over recent years. Bulgaria has an estimated GDP of US$53.0 billion and an estimated GDP per capita of US$7 073 (2011 estimates). Principal export destinations are Germany, Italy and Romania, while the main import sources are the Russian Federation, Germany and Italy. As a consequence of the global financial crisis, Bulgaria experienced a decline in GDP of 5.5 per cent in 2009. Read Full Article

Investing in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is the newest member of the European Union and has an economy with real growth potential. With a population of 7.3 million, the country presents opportunities for both large companies experienced in export and new-to-export SMEs. Bulgaria is easy to reach; there are several daily direct flights to Bulgaria. Read Full Article