Fri, Feb 10 2012
Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov is to propose to the Cabinet that Bulgaria imports grain to normalise surging domestic prices, the Bulgarian Government said on August 7.
The grain shortage, a result of unfavourable weather conditions, will be handled by imports, some from non-European Union member states.
Hungary's contingency stores or imports from Ukraine could be used to counter Bulgaria's maize shortage, the statement said, according to wire agency See News.
Under the EU's intervention system, farmers can sell wheat, barley and maize to publicly funded stores for a fixed price. Bulgaria joined the EU in January.
At 400 leva a ton, the price of wheat in Bulgaria is more than double what it was in 2006. A warm winter and unusually dry spring damaged crops in most of South Eastern Europe this year.
Other reasons for the price surge in Bulgaria are an increase in consumption, a growing number of foreign tourists and rising European food prices.
Agricultural producers in Bulgaria harvested 2.2 million tons of wheat this year, less than expected, and less than last year's harvest of 3.2 million tons of wheat, according to Bulgarian news agency BTA.
About 150 000 tons of wheat remain from the 2006 harvest, an amount that could be enough to meet the country's demands for food, fodder and seed, the Government said.
Bulgaria usually exports large amounts of wheat to the EU.
In the fourth quarter of 2011, the average monthly salary increased to 727 leva, 4.9 per cent higher than in Q3, the National Statistics Institute says.
For the first time in six months, global food prices rose overall in January 2012, the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation said.
The package will be discussed with the Association of Bulgarian Banks before the amendments are submitted to Parliament.
Debate at the half-day event will cover what has been achieved so far and what further can be done by the Bulgarian Government to support development of the market.
Selectivity, not popularity, is the driving force behind Sofia's most exclusive members' only club.

Lyubov Kostova was appointed country manager of British Council Bulgaria effective January 1, replacing Tony Buckby, who left in October 2011 to take a similar position at British Council Greece. Kostova has been with British Council Bulgaria for 11 years, as public communications manager and, since 2008, as the head of project and partnerships department. Prior to joining the British Council, Kostova was head of international activities at the National Academy for Theatre and Cinema Arts (NATFIZ). She has a degree in Indian studies from Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.

Stefan Apostolov is the new chief executive of CEZ Razpredelenie Bulgaria, the power transmission subsidiary of Czech energy company CEZ in the country. He replaces interim chief executive Ales Damm, who remains the chairperson of the CEZ Razpredelenie management board. Apostolov has 30 years of experience in the energy sector, joining CEZ in 2007 as director of customer service and was later appointed as head of business development. Apostolov has a master's degree in electric systems from the Belorussian National Technical University in Minsc, management diplomas from Open University London and New Bulgarian University, as well as a master's degree in business administration from Plovdiv University.

Valentina Dikanska is the new general manager of chemical industry giant BASF subsidiary in Bulgaria, taking over from Herbert Fisch, BASF vice president for Southeastern Europe. Dikanska, who started her career as an expert in the Finance Ministry, joined BASF Bulgaria as director of finance and administration in 2002. She becomes the first Bulgarian to hold the top management position in the company in its 40-year history on the Bulgarian market. Dikanska holds a master's degree in economics from the University for National and World Economy in Sofia.

Alexander Albin has been appointed chief executive of fuel distributor Rompetrol Bulgaria, replacing Nichita Sorin, who left to become chief executive of Rompetrol Gaz in Romania. Albin was previously chief executive of Rompetrol Georgia. He has more than 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry; prior to joining Romania's oil group Rompetrol in 2008 as an adviser, he oversaw operations at Atyrau refinery in Kazakhstan, owned by Rompetrol's parent company KazMunaiGaz. He previously held top management positions at two other leading Kazakh oil and gas companies.