2024 Kicks In With Cheaper Interest Rates
The year began with a slight drop in interest rates on loans for both businesses and households, amid high lending activity by banks, albeit below December levels. This is revealed by data published by the national bank on interest rate statistics at the end of January 2024. They show that in almost all segments the financing provided by the banks was slightly cheaper compared to the average price at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the yield on deposits, which has been close to zero for years, has also decreased slightly.
In terms of interest rates, statistics show that in the past month, newly issued financing for businesses in both levs and euro was cheaper compared to the end of 2023. In January, the interest rate on corporate loans in levs decreased to 4.25% from 4.55% a month earlier, and for those in euro, the decrease was from 5.79% in December to 4.94%.
Tagarev To Send Record Aid To Ukraine
Bulgaria is preparing new aid for Ukraine which will be in line with the invaded country's priorities, Defense Minister Todor Tagarev announced. "Financially, the assistance will be many times greater than what has been provided so far," the minister added, but without going into details.
He added that so far the value of aid sent to Ukraine is 47 million euros, of which 34 million have been given by the current government. Tagarev also commented on the yet-to-be-sent armored personnel carriers, whose delayed delivery has earned him criticism from MPs from WCC-DB.
In addition, Tagarev has recently been attacked by GERB and MRF amid calls for him to be replaced once the rotation occurs.
Another Bulgarian Charged With Spying For Russia In Britain
A sixth Bulgarian national has been arrested for being a member of a Russian spy network based in Britain and will be charged with conspiracy to commit espionage, British police said on Tuesday.
Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 38, of Acton, West London, will stand trial for "conspiracy to obtain, collect, record, publish or communicate documents or information" which may be useful for a purpose prejudicial to the security and interests of the state in benefit of her enemy.
Ivanchev, born in 1985, was arrested on 7 February as part of the ongoing investigation into the five Bulgarian spies led by the Counter-Terrorism Squad and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday 28 February.
