Closer ties with Romania, Bulgaria’s northern neighbour, have boosted the economy of the northern Bulgarian city of Rousse, industry officials said.

EU newcomers Bulgaria and Romania are currently linked by a bridge at the ports of Rousse in Bulgaria and Giurgiu in Romania. A second bridge will be built between the cities of Vidin and Calafat in the next three years.

Living standards in Romania have increased more rapidly than those in Bulgaria, and many Romanians cross the Danube to take advantage of the relatively low prices in Rousse.

Bulgarians’ purchasing power remains low. The average monthly salary was 187 euro a month in the first quarter of 2007, while the average net monthly salary in Romania was almost double this, at 307 euro a month in March 2007, according to Bulgarian news agency BTA.

Food prices in the city will probably be unaffected following the influx of Romanian visitors, but clothing and other items sold in Rousse have already become more expensive.

Salaries in Rousse are also on the rise, as employers try to keep workers from migrating to nearby Romanian cities.