Borissov: The economy shrank by 30%

Margarita Dimitrova

Oil imports to the country have declined by 30%. Gas and electricity consumption are down by 30%, which means that the economy has shrunk by 30%, announced PM Boyko Borissov yesterday at the opening of the National Forum on Clarification of the Support Schemes for Farmers during the Direct Payments Campaign 2010. We are surrounded by countries in crisis and this leads directly to a decline in foreign investments, said further the PM. He reminded that when Greece was in good shape it used to buy banks, real estate, companies, enterprises. Now, when stagnation has gripped the world, everyone is saving money and waiting for better times.
"There have not been more difficult months for Bulgaria since the war. This is the real situation and when you decide to press me, you should know that I have written down the resignation of the Government and it is in my pocket. I will submit it and then you will see what you will get. The blame will not lie with me. I put in all my efforts, my character, but everything has its limits, "added the PM. He noted that out of the liabilities due to farmers, amounting to BGN 771 mln, so far, the Government had paid off BGN 765 mln.
We inherited seven out of seven blocked Operational Programmes. These have been completely unblocked now and, in this way, we fulfilled one of the most important promises in our election campaign. “You must follow the rules,” said Borissov to farmers “because the country has already been fined BGN 40 mln during the 2007 campaign. There are concerns about the amount of the penalty for 2008”.

Vanyo Tanov: We continue to follow a descending trend
In January 2010, revenue collected by customs exceeded by BGN 60 mln the planned BGN 570 mln. Revenues amounted to more, compared to 2008, when there was no crisis, said for BNT Head of the Customs Agency, Vanyo Tanov. At the same time, customs reported a drop in revenue of BGN 133 mln in February, compared to January 2010. The total decline in January and February was 15%, compared to the same months of 2009, which shows that we continue to follow a descending trend, said Tanov.