S&P Global: Bulgaria’s economy to recover in 2021

The American Credit Rating Agency S&P Global Ratings (previously Standard & Poor’s) has confirmed the long-term and short-term local and foreign currency sovereign credit ratings on Bulgaria at 'BBB/A-2' and revised the country’s outlook from positive to stable.

The revision is related to expectations for significant deterioration of growth in Bulgaria and in other countries in 2020 as a result of the measures adopted to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. However, given the significant contraction of the country’s macroeconomic imbalances, S&P Global Ratings expects the Bulgarian economy to recover in 2021.

National Tourism Board: We are ready for well-organized, yet unusual season

All necessary preconditions for a start of the tourism season on June 15 are in place, Polina Karastoyanova, Executive Director of the National Tourism Board said in an interview for Nova TV. In her words, the tourism sector is ready for a well-organized, yet unusual season. Polina Karastoyanova forecasted that many tourists will choose the mountain and the small guest houses as alternative to the sea tourism and the big hotels. The competition with Turkey and Greece, where the sector enjoys state support is “an uneven battle”, Polina Karastoyanova said further.

Bulgaria to support bus carriers

The state has prepared a measure in support of bus carriers who were seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Zornitsa Rusinova said in an interview for Darik Radio. As of July 1, the people employed at the bus companies will receive EUR 148 a month for a period of 6 months. The companies can rely on state aid, provided their turnover decreased by at least 20%. 

14 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Bulgaria, 1,353 PCR tests made in past 24 hours

Only 14 new cases of Covid-19 were registered in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours. A total of 1.353 PCR tests were made in the period. 5 people in Sofia, 4 in Sliven, 2 in Razgrad, 1 in Pazardzhik, 1 in Pleven and 1 person in Yambol tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Nine-month-old baby from Sofia, which suffers no symptoms and an ambulance driver from the Emergency Aid Center in Sofia are among the people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

The total number of Covid-19 cases reached 2,499. 256 Medics tested positive for the virus until now. Three people died with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. The total Covid-19 death toll rose to 139. The average age of the victims of Covid-19 is 67 years. 48 people recovered in the past 24 hours. A total of 1.064 people, or 42% of all Covid-19 cases, were cured until now.

Bulgaria allows conference and seminars

Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev has issued today a regulation allowing congress and conference events, seminars, exhibitions, including events of the exhibition industry. The facilities are allowed to operate at 30% of their premises’ capacity and in compliance of all anti-epidemic measures. The regulation was issued after a meeting between Premier Boyko Borissov, Minister Ananiev and representatives of the Bulgarian Convention Bureau. The representatives of the convention bureau acquainted Premier Borissov and Minister Ananiev with the problems of the congress and conference sector, which is completely blocked and practically does not function since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. In view of the lower morbidity rate in Bulgaria, we may further ease the restrictive measures and allow this type of events, Premier Borissov commented at the meeting.

Cherry festival to be held in Kyustendil despite Covid-19 pandemic

The town of Kyustendil, Southwest Bulgaria, is to host the traditional Cherry Festival in the last week of June, despite the anti-epidemic measures adopted against Covid-19. The decision was taken by the Kyustendil Municipality. An exhibition of items made by local craftsmen and of different cherry sorts from the region of Kyustendil will be held during the festival. The town of Kyustendi, which is famous with its delicious cherries, is visited by thousands of Bulgarians and foreign guests during the cherry festival.

First motorcycle procession held in Bulgaria after state of emergency

Over 1,200 motorcyclists joined the opening of the new motorcycle season in the coastal city of Varna. Motorcyclists from Northeast Bulgaria arrived at the central square in front of the Assumption of the Mother of God Cathedral for the first time after the end of the state of emergency. Later, they lined the streets of Varna for a procession.

Compiled by: Milgena Ivanova

You can find all stories and important publications related to COVID-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English. 

You can also follow all latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak and all measures in Bulgaria in 9 more languages at Radio Bulgaria.