FINED
Sofia’s Regional Inspectorate on Environment and Waters (RIEW) fined Scheele Bulgaria EOOD, a subsidiary of the Austrian ASA Gruppe, for uncontrolled refuse burning, RIEW said, as quoted by Dnevnik on August 12. RIEW Sofia found that Scheele had been burning household rubbish at the Etropole municipality landfill. According to Refuse Management Act regulations, the fine is to be between 1500 and 5000 leva.

CHOO-CHOO FAREWELL
On August 12, Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) started the gradual retirement of electrical carriages from series 32 and 33, which are more than 35 years old, the company said in a statement. Currently, 140 economy-class trains providing itineraries in Bulgaria are subject to retirement. Various locomotives and economy-class train carriages are to replace 43 of the trains. Another 20 trains are to be taken out of use completely, with BDZ hiring buses with the same routes and timetables in their place.

SECRET FEES
The management of Bulgarian state-controlled gas distributor Bulgargaz Holding declined to comment on a business arrangement between two of its subsidiaries concerning the gas transit fees collection scheme. Under an existing contract, the commercial division of Bulgargaz collects the fees, while the transmission unit of the holding Bulgartransgaz is in charge of pumping gas across the country’s territory. The State Agency for National Security and national prosecution authorities have conducted an investigation into possible breaches of the Energy Act.

BTC SELLS
Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC) sold its international call centre BTC Contact EAD to Sofica Group AD, BTC said in a statement on August 12. The price remains a commercial secret, BTC’s press centre told The Sofia Echo. BTC Contact’s activity is creating and managing international and local call centres. It currently services more than 17 countries, including the UK, Germany, the USA and Canada. Its clients include MoneyGram International, Grisoft and numerous international firms operating in the tourist industry.

NEW REFINERY
The joint-stock company Mega Group plans to invest 100 million euro in constructing an oil refinery in the town of Smyadovo, near north-eastern Shoumen, Stroitelstvo Gradut weekly reported. According to company management, the project complies with European Union and Ministry of Environment and Water Affair regulations regarding the traffic, deposit and recycling of oil waste and petroleum processing. The refinery will be built on the premises of Smyadovo’s old chemical factory. Mega Group is currently selecting a business partner.