General Information About Bulgaria

• Area: 110 910 sq. km (42 822 square miles)
• Population: 7 718 750 (3 743 327 – men/ 3 975 423 – women)
• Capital city – Sofia (population: over 1 500 000 residents)
• Economy (Bulgarian Standard): economy divides branches as follows – 59% in services, 29% in industry and 12% in farming
• University graduates: 15% of the population
• Native language: Bulgarian
• Foreign languages: English, German, French and Russian
• Religion: 83% Orthodox Christians
• Form of government: Parliamentary Republic
• Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN), fixed to the EURO with rate 1.95583:1
• Membership in: NATO and WTO

Location

Bulgaria is located in the southeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The country has a population of 7.97 million people and takes up a territory of 110 912 square meters. To the south Bulgaria borders on Greece and Turkey, to the west on the Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. The Danube River serves as a natural border, separating Bulgaria from Romania and the Black Sea is the country’s natural eastern border.
Bulgaria is situated in the very center of a region, which goes through a dramatic change. Within 500 km from the capital city of Sofia, a population of more than 60 million people resides in 10 countries, most of which have just started on their way to market economy. This speaks of a large market with a quickly growing demand in Europe.
Each of these regions is just a couple of hours away from Bulgaria. A network of international highways encompasses the country, thus providing a quick connection between Western Europe, Russia, Asia Minor, the Adriatic, Aegean and Black Seas. Both sea and river transport (the Black Sea and the Danube River) offer good connection to regions outside the country.

History

Bulgaria is a state with more than 3000 years of history. The Balkan Peninsula has been a center of many civilizations: Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, as well as for tribes and peoples that have been merged or have lost their identity in the course of time. The Bulgarian state has been existing for 13 centuries now. It was established in 681 AD. That was when Slavs and proto-Bulgarians united under the rule of khan Asparukh.
The religious conversion of the Bulgarians, which took place in 865, made them an inseparable part of the Christian civilization. When the Cyrillic alphabet was created during the second half of the 9th century, it exerted strong influence on the cultural development of Bulgaria, especially having in mind the fact that until that moment the Bulgarians used to read and write in Latin and Greek. In 1185, after many battles with Byzantium, the two brothers Assen and Peter rebelled and the Byzantines were forced to acknowledge the independence of the Bulgarian State.The today's town of Veliko Tarnovo became a center of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In 1202 Tzar Kaloyan (1197-1207) signed a peace treaty with Byzantium, which gave Bulgaria full independence and also added to the bloom of the Bulgarian culture. After the death of Tzar Ivan Assen II, the Bulgarian State was threatened by a political instability.
Unfortunately in 1396 Bulgaria was conquered and enslaved by the Turks, and the occupation lasted more than 500 years.
As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of liberation in 1878, Bulgaria restored its freedom after 5 centuries of Turkish Yoke. In 1879 the first National Assembly of Bulgaria voted the State’s first Constitution, which was quite democratic for its time.
During the first decade of the 20th century Bulgaria went through years of progressive economic development and prosperity. The Bulgarian goods marketed abroad, as well as the Bulgarian national currency, the “Golden lev” were highly valued in Western Europe. In respect to trade Bulgaria bonded well with countries such as Austria, Germany, France and Great Britain.

Why Invest In Bulgaria?

• Highly qualified, multi-language workers
• Stable and predictable business and political environment
• Membership of Bulgaria in the EU since 1 January, 2007
• The lowest production costs and taxes in Europe
• Free trade of industrial goods between Bulgaria, EU, EFTA, CEFTA and Turkey
• 15% corporative tax
• Possibility of dismissal of the VAT tax upon import of products with a total profit of more than 5 million Euro
• Annual amortization rate equal to 30% for machinery and equipment, 50% for new equipment used in new investment projects or developments, and 50% for software and hardware
• Purchase of land through a company registered in Bulgaria with a 100% foreign ownership
• Unceasing administrative services provided by the Bulgarian Investment Agency
• Accelerated administrative procedures through the Bulgarian Investment Agency
• 58 contracts helping you to avoid the double taxation
• 56 agreements providing you with mutual protection and encouragement of the foreign investments
• Wonderful climate, magnificent nature, outstanding cultural landmarks, delicious food and warm hospitality