Euro price hikes to be averted?
Bulgaria's Revenue Agency (NAP), Competition Authority (CPC), and Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) have launched joint inspections to prevent unjustified price increases tied to the euro adoption. Their aim is to stop businesses from exploiting the transition by raising prices without valid economic reasons. More than 150 retail locations in 30 cities were inspected in early June, with further checks scheduled. The campaign will soon expand to restaurants, cafés, and personal services like salons.
Authorities plan to publish the names of businesses found to be raising prices unfairly and may apply pressure through VAT monitoring. A dedicated website will also track essential product prices, while regulators warn against misleading euro price labeling that confuses customers.
Not just on paper, but online
From June 1, 2025, new employment records in Bulgaria will be maintained electronically through the introduction of e-workbooks. However, individuals with prior work history must still keep their traditional paper workbooks, as these remain valid documents for verifying past employment. The new digital system will only reflect the employment history from the most recent job, making the reform only partially digital. Experts explain that fully digitizing past records was unfeasible due to risks of forgery and inaccuracies in old documents.
Although initially flawed, the reform has been welcomed by businesses, which have long pushed for reduced bureaucracy and digital HR management. The National Social Security Institute advises everyone to preserve their paper workbooks until retirement.
Curtis-Balkan chooses Sofia for mass production
US firm Curtis Instruments' Sofia facility has become its main production center in Europe, producing controllers and instruments used in various industries ranging from golf carts to construction equipment.
The company, which specializes in control systems for electric vehicles, was one of the first foreign investors in Bulgaria, forming a joint venture with the state-owned Balkancar in July 1989. Curtis subsequently established Curtis-Balkan as a fully owned subsidiary.
Euro price hikes to be averted?
Bulgaria's Revenue Agency (NAP), Competition Authority (CPC), and Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) have launched joint inspections to prevent unjustified price increases tied to the euro adoption. Their aim is to stop businesses from exploiting the transition by raising prices without valid economic reasons. More than 150 retail locations in 30 cities were inspected in early June, with further checks scheduled. The campaign will soon expand to restaurants, cafés, and personal services like salons.
