Fri, Feb 10 2012
Bulgaria and Romania would likely join the euro zone in 2013-2014, the analytical unit of UniCredit Group said in its latest report titled The Euro goes Eastwards. It also warned that the main challenge to euro zone hopefuls was soaring inflation.
Once all aspirants from Central and Eastern Europe adopt the single European currency, the euro zone will expand by a third. Currently, the euro is in use by 320 million Europeans in 15 countries.
"The prospect for euro adoption is a main anchor for most of the countries from the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargement waves," Debora Revoltella, UniCredit Group chief economist for Central and Eastern Europe, said.
"A main challenge presently is the inflation criterion because of the price pressure observed in almost the entire CEE region," Revoltella added.
According to UniCredit Group, Slovakia stands 90 per cent chance to join the euro zone as of January 1 2009, as it got the greenlight for compliance with Maastricht criteria in the convergence reports from the European Central Bank and the European Commission.
Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, which are yet to set an official date for euro zone accession, are likely to adopt the euro in 2012-2013. For the three Baltic states, whose currencies are pegged to the euro, target euro zone accession in 2011-2012.
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.