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08/08/2025

Bucharest will host the inaugural edition of the Romanian Security Summit on November 5–6, 2025 — the first comprehensive event dedicated to the security industry in Eastern Europe. This prestigious regional gathering will take place at the Romexpo Exhibition Centre, bringing together top-tier security technology manufacturers, experts, distributors, and end-users from across the region and beyond. The Romanian Security Summit is jointly organized by a&s Adria, a professional magazine for comprehensive security solutions, and the Romanian Association for Technical Security (ARTS), with the support of Messe Frankfurt, a global leader in trade fair organization and security media publishing.

Romanian Security Summit presents an exceptional opportunity for the Romanian market to...

Bucharest will host the inaugural edition of the Romanian Security Summit on November 5–6, 2025

04/08/2025

What happens when a small municipality focuses on innovation, courage, and local capacity? In this episode, we meet the mayor of the Croatian town of Novska, Marija Kušmiš, who talks about the role of the NORA agency in the socio-economic transformation of the region.
In this episode, you will hear:

How strong structures for local development are created;
How NORA supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and new jobs;
What are the benefits of well-coordinated public and private initiatives;
Why Novska is an inspiring example of a just transition.

Subscribe to the Economic.bg YouTube channel so you don't miss the next episodes of our series on good practices, bold ideas, and people who are building the future of a just transition.
Translated with DeepL.
Co-Funded by the... https://www.economic.bg/en/a/view/podcast-nora-the-driving-force-behind-novska-s-sustainable-local-development

30/07/2025

The 2025 edition of the Adria Security Summit, the largest security industry event in Southeast Europe, will take place for the tenth consecutive year on October 8 – 9, 2025, at the Aleksandar Palace Hotel in Skopje. This milestone edition will bring together more than 3,000 participants and over 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest solutions in video surveillance, cybersecurity, IoT technologies, artificial intelligence, automation, and smart cities.
The Summit aims to strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business networking within the region’s security and technology ecosystem. It is organized by a&s Adria, a professional magazine for comprehensive security solutions and a member of the global security media group owned by Messe Frankfurt.

Announcing the tenth...

The 2025 edition of the Adria Security Summit, the largest security industry event in Southeast Europe, will take place for the tenth consecutive year on October 8 – 9, 2025

28/07/2025

Vienna-based Renalfa IPP has received €315 million from a consortium of lenders, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to accelerate the transition to green energy in Central and Eastern Europe.
The financing will support the company's €1.2 billion investment program, which is expected to include 1.6 GW of production assets and approximately 3.3 GWh of co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS) that will be operational in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and North Macedonia.
The EBRD adds that as part of the deal with the company and within the InvestEU Advisory Hub, the bank will support the development of a skills training program related to BESS for both current staff and future specialists in the region. Renalfa will also partner with local...

Vienna-based Renalfa IPP has received €315 million from a consortium of lenders, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

28/07/2025

Bulgaria will now have a one-day vignette for light vehicles, and tolls will be calculated according to a new principle, which will also take into account the degree of pollution caused by the vehicle. The amendments to the Road Traffic Act were finally adopted by the National Assembly on second reading on Wednesday evening. Bulgaria is thus taking its first steps towards a fairer and more environmentally friendly road charging system.
In addition, amendments to the Road Traffic Act have included municipal cameras in the speed monitoring system, according to BTA. Unpaid fines and tickets will be issued by municipal administrations.
Some of the changes were adopted at first reading back in April. We would like to remind you that the road laws were voted on twice. Last week, MPs finally...

Bulgaria will now have a one-day vignette for light vehicles, and tolls will be calculated according to a new principle, which will also take into account the degree of pollution

27/07/2025

Bulgaria's pension system is one of the most sensitive and exploited topics in public and political debate. It is often used as a convenient tool for manipulating public opinion and shifting blame for the budget deficit between different political groups.
However, the problems are complex: demographic crisis, aging population, informal employment, and ever-increasing pension costs.
Additional pressure on the system is exerted by the annual modernization of pensions under the so-called "Swiss rule," which, in addition to not being strictly adhered to, is often modified.
The National Social Security Institute (NSSI) warned of the seriousness of the situation in its much-discussed Actuarial Report for 2024
In it, the Institute states that

"if the current legislation remains in place,...

Bulgaria's pension system is one of the most sensitive and exploited topics in public and political debate. It is often used as a convenient tool for manipulating public opinion

27/07/2025

Bulgaria has submitted a second request for payment under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan (RSP) worth €653 million. It covers the implementation of 59 milestones and targets, 20 of which are related to legislative changes. To implement them, amendments were made to 15 laws and three new laws were adopted.
The request includes the largest number of legislative measures through which key reforms have been implemented, such as liberalization of the electricity market, promotion of electricity production from renewable sources, regulatory framework for reporting irregularities, establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commission, improvement of insolvency proceedings, introduction of personal bankruptcy, and restriction of public procurement procedures without publication and/or with only...

Bulgaria has submitted a second request for payment under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan (RSP) worth €653 million. It covers the implementation of 59 milestones

27/07/2025

The payment account for basic transactions, created years ago with the idea that no fees would be charged if the money came only from salaries, pensions, social benefits, or scholarships, will no longer be completely free.
With amendments to the Payment Services and Payment Systems Act, the National Assembly (NA) has placed a limit on free ATM or POS withdrawals from the servicing bank, which, once exceeded, will now require the payment of a fee, even if the ATM is owned by the servicing bank. The changes were approved on second reading by parliament unanimously with 150 votes in favor, BTA reports.
Specifically, the amendments state that:

Up to 10 cash withdrawals per month from the basic account at an ATM or POS terminal of the servicing bank will be free of charge (previously...

The payment account for basic transactions, created years ago with the idea that no fees would be charged if the money came only from salaries, pensions, social benefits

26/07/2025

Estonian real estate company Arco Vara, an investor in large residential complexes in Sofia, is leaving the Bulgarian market. The company announced that the sale of its assets in Bulgaria is already underway and that several Bulgarian real estate entrepreneurs have expressed interest in them and will have the opportunity to conduct due diligence and submit offers for acquisition.
This strategic decision, approved by the company's Supervisory Board in July 2025, is the result of a careful assessment of its long-term goals and market opportunities.

This decision was not taken lightly – we have achieved significant results in Bulgaria, built a strong team and delivered high-quality projects that we can be proud of. However, from the perspective of long-term growth and value for Arco...

Estonian real estate company Arco Vara, an investor in large residential complexes in Sofia, is leaving the Bulgarian market. The company announced that the sale

26/07/2025

The proposed amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria give “the state a chance to crush any trader” who tries to develop a business.
This was stated by Petar Ganev, senior researcher at the Institute for Market Economics (IME.
We discussed with him the amendments to the law adopted at first reading in the National Assembly, which give greater powers to regulators (the National Revenue Agency, the Consumer Protection and Competition Commission), and even to the Council of Ministers, in the fight against "speculation" surrounding the euro. For traders, it provides for heavier fines if they decide to raise their prices "unreasonably."

These powers are completely meaningless, as there is no problem with the labels (editor's...

The proposed amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria give “the state a chance to crush any trader” who tries to develop a business

25/07/2025

The National Assembly approved on first reading the controversial amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. The texts, which give regulators more powers to combat speculation, higher fines for traders, and shorter deadlines for adaptation, were supported by 116 MPs, with 75 against and three abstaining.
During the debate, the bill was repeatedly criticized, described as “economic madness,” “absolutely scandalous,” and as creating conditions for pressure from the state.

The law creates conditions for brutal economic racketeering,” said Daniel Lorrer of “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB).

According to him, as written, the law says that until the end of 2026, traders will not be allowed to increase prices unless there are...

The National Assembly approved on first reading the controversial amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria

25/07/2025

Bulgaria will apply for a loan of up to €3 billion to strengthen its defense industry. The funds can be obtained under the Security Measures for Europe (SAFE) instrument, which the EU will use for urgent and large-scale public investments in support of the European defense industry.
The Council of Ministers adopted the decision at its meeting on Wednesday, authorizing the Minister of Defense to sign and submit an expression of interest to the European Commission by July 29, but it is not legally binding.
With the money (at least €2.7 billion), the government wants to financially secure the implementation of priority military capabilities necessary to guarantee national and allied security.
The announcement does not specify the specific projects in which the funds will be...

Bulgaria will apply for a loan of up to €3 billion to strengthen its defense industry. The funds can be obtained under the Security Measures for Europe (SAFE) instrument