After a two-year break, the activity of the National Economic Council was resumed
A meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) was held at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, whose activity is being resumed after a two-year period of interruption. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Economy and Industry, Petеr Dilov, who stressed the importance of the Council as an advisory body to the Council of Ministers, involved in the formation of the country’s economic policies.
“The resumption of regular meetings of the National Economic Council is a clear sign of our commitment to creating a sustainable and predictable business environment. Together with representatives of institutions, employer organizations and businesses, we will work for effective solutions to the current challenges facing the economy,” said Dilov.
The Minister of Economy was congratulated by the employer organizations for the prompt fulfilment of the commitments he made during his meeting with the Association of Organizations of Bulgarian Employers (AOBR) at the beginning of his term, when an agreement was reached to prepare a specific plan with priorities to be worked on with pre-set deadlines in the NEC’s agenda.
During the meeting, a report was presented on Bulgaria’s progress in the 25 thematic committees of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “Our country’s accession to the OECD is among the main foreign policy priorities, and the government is strongly committed to the process,” Dilov emphasized, and the employer organizations expressed support for our country’s membership in the organization.
In the course of the council, the steps for the resumption of the activity of the working group for the introduction of a financial mechanism for compensation of indirect costs for greenhouse gas emissions were presented. The topic is essential for energy-intensive enterprises, and it was emphasized that work on it should be resumed. In this regard, the formation of an expert team to develop a specific model applicable in a national context was discussed. The discussion focused on the role of the competent institutions and businesses in the implementation of this initiative, as well as on the necessary financial resources for its realization.
Employer organizations put forward proposals for sustainable solutions related to the high prices of electricity for industry. The regulation of a permanent compensation mechanism at national and European level, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1735, adopted in 2024, was discussed. Participants emphasized the need for increased support for the most affected industrial sectors.
“We count on a constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and will continue to work for long-term policies that guarantee the sustainability and competitiveness of Bulgarian industry,” said Minister Dilov.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Ministers of e-Government, Transport and Communications, Labor and Social Policy, Foreign Affairs and Energy, as well as representatives of leading employer organizations in the country.