Bulgaria’s GDP Grew by 3.2% Year-on-Year in the Third Quarter of 2025, the Economy Minister Notes
The Minister of Economy and Industry, Peter Dilov, presented the draft budget of the Ministry during the discussion of the Bill on the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026, which was approved at first reading by the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation.
The Minister emphasised that despite the economic challenges recorded in the third quarter of 2025, Bulgaria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.2 per cent compared to the same quarter of the previous year, and by 0.7 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2025, according to seasonally adjusted data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
He noted that the European Commission has revised upward its growth forecasts for Bulgaria for both the current and the coming year. “Economic growth is now expected to reach 3.0% this year, whereas the spring outlook projected an increase of 2.0%,” Dilov said.
The Minister outlined the Ministry’s priorities for 2026, which include reducing regional disparities, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and industry, encouraging decarbonisation, strengthening foreign economic relations and the internationalisation of companies, improving the management efficiency of state-owned enterprises, and more.
“The Ministry’s policies for 2026 focus on two main areas – sustainable economic development and competitiveness, and effective foreign economic cooperation,” he stated.
Dilov stressed that, given the current state of the global economy and the strong interconnection of Bulgarian industry with European markets, the Ministry’s policy for the 2026 – 2028 period will aim to minimise the impact of international factors on the Bulgarian economy, while preserving and expanding the market positions of Bulgarian industry.
“Our goal is to enhance the potential for economic growth and improve opportunities for Bulgarian companies to participate in the Single Market and third-country markets,” he added.
Dilov pointed out that the Ministry of Economy and Industry is planning to pursue an active and integrated foreign-trade and foreign-economic policy. “Achieving export growth and attracting investment is essential for technological modernisation, production renewal, the development of innovative products and services, improving competitiveness and thus achieving accelerated growth and new jobs,” he said.
“Strengthening Bulgaria’s role in the global economy, enhancing export potential and conducting effective foreign economic cooperation are among our key objectives,” the Minister concluded unequivocally.