We have taken decisive measures to protect the national interest and Bulgarian consumers, in order to prevent a massive collapse of the fuel market. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev on the Face to Face programme on bTV.
He described the meeting with Litasco as a decisive step in ensuring the refinery’s continued operation and protecting Bulgarian consumers. “We managed to avert a risk to the refinery’s operations and laid the groundwork for resolving the arbitration dispute in which Bulgaria faces claims of EUR 3 billion. This is an enormous victory,” Poulev stressed. He noted that all actions taken fall within the framework of international sanctions regimes and are aimed solely at protecting the Bulgarian economy and the public interest.
“We have curtailed the risk of corruption, with my very first signature, we saved 68 million that were due to be paid out under questionable price indexation clauses in dam contracts,” Poulev noted. He announced that the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry has already received 94 tip-offs relating to serious irregularities in state-owned enterprises. “The avalanche of reports shows that people now believe institutions will do their job,” he added.
He said that ongoing investigations have already uncovered a number of glaring instances of mismanagement and dubious practices. “We have exposed contracts worth half a million euros for grass-cutting, including on paved areas and during winter months,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
Poulev also disclosed that a hollow state-owned company had been identified, created with no genuine activity. “The company was set up solely to await the signing of a contract worth hundreds of millions, while over just seven to eight months its management received more than EUR 70,000 in remuneration with no real work performed,” he stressed.
The Deputy Prime Minister also commented on the draft budget, stating unequivocally that it is a budget of pragmatism.
He said the Government is pursuing a long-term vision for economic development. “We are presenting a new comprehensive vision that looks beyond the confines of a single calendar year. We are supporting business with the full range of incentive measures built into both the current and the next budget,” he said.
“The opposition wants us to pay for their sins. We will not halt the investments that create jobs and develop the regions,” Poulev declared.
He emphasized that capital expenditure is a key instrument for economic growth.