The Economist's analytic division, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), predicted a five percent GDP growth rate in Bulgaria in 2006.

The EIU report, presented during a business forum in Athens, said that after the country's EU accession in 2007 the economic growth rate would decrease from 5.5 to 3.5 per cent, Darik Radio reported.

The main difference between Bulgaria and Romania was that Bulgaria attracted more foreign investment, which totals 10 per cent of the GDP. Direct foreign investment was expected to rise by 6.5 per cent after EU accession.

Challenges Bulgaria would face in 2007 included maintaining political stability, and seeking improvement in the external deficit and human capital.