New private companies in Bulgaria were the ones that offered most bribes, a World Bank report entitled Anti-Corruption in Transition- Who is Succeeding and Why said.

Countries in transition were reforming fast, World Bank director for Europe and Central Asia Cheryl Gray said. The Balkan region was moving forward and Bulgaria could not stand in one place, said she.

According to the report Bulgaria experienced problems with licensing and access to credits, Focus news agency reported.

Bulgarian companies said corruption practices were most re-current in the spheres of public procurement, licensing, customs administration, judiciary and health and safety inspections.

The state maintained high level of involvement in business activities, the report said. The levels were high for other Southeast European countries as well.

Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov said Bulgaria registered a doubling in foreign investment over the past year.

The Cabinet was trying to find solution to the problem with public procurement, Ovcharov said.