On Tuesday the news from the Pandora Papers kept coming. According to investigative website bird.bg, there is now definite proof that First Investment Bank owners Tseko Minev and Ivaylo Mutafchiev are also the real owners of firms that have benefited from credits issued by the bank. As for the stranded Vera Su transport ship, as of yesterday evening it is officially deemed a "sunken vessel," the State Maritime Administration announced. It is still unclear how, and if, the potentially dangerous cargo of fertilizers will be unloaded.
Exports grow with 22 percent in August: NSI
The National Statistics Institute (NSI) said on Tuesday that Bulgarian exports continued to rise in August, reaching 22 billion euro - a 22.4 percent increase on an annual basis. For the first eight months of 2021, the overall value of the exports rose 11.5 percent compared to the same period in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, NSI added. It must be noted that, to a large extent, the sector's improved results are due to the inflated prices of export goods. Raw materials and fuels still top Bulgaria's exports to the EU.
Alpha Research: 6 parties in parliament, We Continue the Change - in, Stand up BG - out
The polling agency's most recent survey of Bulgarian voting intentions on Tuesday showed GERB leading with 23.1 percent of the vote. BSP is second on 16.8 percent. Next, at 15.9 percent, is the new party of ex-caretaker ministers Kiril Petkov and Assen Vassilev, We Continue the Change, which will contest the election a mere two months after its creation. Democratic Bulgaria gets 10.9 percent of the projected vote, followed by former top player - TISP, which collapses to fifth position (10.4 percent). MRF is the last party to enter parliament with 9.3 percent. Also, protest party Stand up BG is no longer projected to pass the 4 percent threshold. Turnout is expected to reach 47.6 percent of those eligible to vote, Alpha Research claims.
Eurohold buys off last remaining CEZ subsidiaries for 115 million euro
The Bulgarian holding that purchased the bulk of the Czech-owned energy supplying business in Bulgaria in July announced it has purchased the remaining 33 percent of the capital of CEZ Electro Bulgaria and CEZ Distribution for 115 million euro. The companies will become part of the newly established subsidiary company to Eurohold, EEEC. In July, the state competition watchdog approved the purchase of the remaining CEZ business in the country for 335 million euro, ending a four year-long saga that saw the Czech energy firm attempting to leave the Bulgarian market.
On Tuesday the news from the Pandora Papers kept coming. According to investigative website bird.bg, there is now definite proof that First Investment Bank owners Tseko Minev and Ivaylo Mutafchiev are also the real owners of firms that have benefited from credits issued by the bank. As for the stranded Vera Su transport ship, as of yesterday evening it is officially deemed a "sunken vessel," the State Maritime Administration announced. It is still unclear how, and if, the potentially dangerous cargo of fertilizers will be unloaded.
