Bulgaria presented its comments on the OECD Economic Survey of Bulgaria, focusing on stability, a transparent transition to the euro, and sustainable policies.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dontcho Barbalov took part in the Economic Survey of Bulgaria session at the Economic Development Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
The Bulgarian delegation expressed its appreciation to the OECD for the draft Economic Survey of Bulgaria 2025, highlighting the excellent cooperation and dedication of the Organisation’s team.
“We are fully aware of the key role that this Committee plays in Bulgaria’s accession process to the OECD. The main findings and recommendations in the report are well balanced and align with our own assessment of the economy’s development,” stated Barbalov.
He emphasised Bulgaria’s forthcoming accession to the euro area as a historic milestone that will provide stability and predictability for the economy. The Deputy Minister noted that the government is committed to ensuring a transparent and smooth transition, supported by a comprehensive national information campaign involving local authorities, businesses, and citizens.
Regarding the recommendations in the report, the Bulgarian side underlined that the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan is already a strategic document approved by the Council of the European Union, and that the focus should therefore remain on maintaining fiscal sustainability. In response to the proposal to introduce a rule on the share of public funding in the social security system, it was noted that such a measure would not allow for the necessary flexibility, as Bulgaria is already taking steps to strengthen the system’s financial stability.
“The OECD report and its conclusions are extremely valuable for shaping policies aimed at long-term sustainability and addressing future challenges,” Barbalov added, reaffirming Bulgaria’s readiness to participate actively in the subsequent discussions and review process.
In conclusion, the Bulgarian delegation stressed that the country is striving for higher productivity, increased investment in innovation, digitalisation, and skills, as well as an improved business environment – in order to accelerate its convergence with advanced economies and to build a competitive and sustainable economy.
The Deputy Minister of Economy was part of the Bulgarian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Finance Metodi Metodiev. The delegation also included Martin Danovski, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth; Krasimir Nenov, Deputy Minister of Energy; Gergana Aleksova-Velikova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy; and Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Minister of Education and Scienc
The Economic Development Committee is a key body of the OECD that analyses the economic policies and performance of member and candidate countries. It prepares regular Economic Surveys containing assessments and recommendations aimed at achieving sustainable growth and macroeconomic stability, assisting countries in improving their policies in line with OECD standards. As part of Bulgaria’s accession process to the Organisation, the Committee conducts an economic review of the country, assessing its progress and the main challenges to its development.