Bulgaria has doubled the utilization of funds granted by the World Bank (WB), Focus news agency reported.

By the end of July 2006 the fund utilisation reached 31.2 per cent. This exceeds twice the fund utilisation in Europe and Central Asia, which is 17 per cent.

The data was presented after a meeting between Bulgarian ministers and representatives of the World Bank. Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski, Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski and the WB country director for Bulgaria Anand Seth were present.

The participants discussed the strategy for partnership with Bulgaria that is meant to support Bulgaria?s economic development for EU membership, Focus said.