A final International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Bulgaria, reviewing budget 2007 and Bulgaria's economic indicators, ended on December 20.

IMF analysis showed that Bulgaria's macroeconomic indicators were stable due to the sound fiscal policies carried out.

The expected GDP growth rate for 2006 is to be 6.2 per cent and the level is to be maintained in 2007, the prognoses showed. Inflation was gradually decreasing and income growth rate matched the production growth.

Reforms were flexible enough to maintain the strength of the economy and ensure that Bulgaria benefits from all opportunities related to its upcoming EU entry.

Head of IMF mission to Bulgaria Robert Hagemann said that the main concern IMF still had was the current account deficit.

Oresharski said as quoted by Focus news agency that budget 2007 featured expenditure restrictions that could be implemented if necessary.

The views of Bulgaria and the IMF differed on the structural framework to be used, Focus reported.  Oresharski said that disagreements focused on figures rather than on overall policies.