DOCSLIB.ORG

Bulgaria 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bulgaria 2019 Bulgaria 2019 1 Table of Contents Doing Business in Bulgaria: _____________________________________________ 4 Market Overview _____________________________________________________________ 4 Market Challenges ___________________________________________________________ 4 Market Opportunities _________________________________________________________ 4 Market Entry Strategy _________________________________________________________ 5 Political Environment __________________________________________________ 6 Selling U.S. Products & Services _________________________________________ 7 Using an Agent to Sell US Products and Services _________________________________ 7 Establishing an Office ________________________________________________________ 7 Franchising _________________________________________________________________ 8 Direct Marketing _____________________________________________________________ 8 Joint Ventures (JVs)/Licensing _________________________________________________ 9 Selling to the Government _____________________________________________________ 9 Distribution & Sales Channels _________________________________________________ 10 Express Delivery ____________________________________________________________ 11 Selling Factors & Techniques _________________________________________________ 12 eCommerce ________________________________________________________________ 12 Trade Promotion & Advertising ________________________________________________ 14 Pricing ____________________________________________________________________ 15 Sales Service/Customer Support ______________________________________________ 15 Protecting Intellectual Property ________________________________________________ 15 IP Resources _______________________________________________________________ 16 Due Diligence ______________________________________________________________ 18 Local Professional Services __________________________________________________ 18 Bulgaria’s Principal Business Associations _____________________________________ 18 Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services ________________________________ 19 Web Resources _____________________________________________________________ 19 Contacts __________________________________________________________________ 19 Market Research ____________________________________________________________ 21 Trade Events _______________________________________________________________ 21 Leading Sectors for U.S. Exports & Investments ___________________________ 22 Agricultural Sector __________________________________________________________ 22 Energy ____________________________________________________________________ 28 Environmental Technologies __________________________________________________ 34 Healthcare & Life Sciences ___________________________________________________ 36 Information and Communications Technologies __________________________________ 39 Safety and Security __________________________________________________________ 42 Travel and Tourism __________________________________________________________ 46 Customs, Regulations & Standards ______________________________________ 48 Trade Barriers ______________________________________________________________ 48 Import Tariff ________________________________________________________________ 48 Import Requirements & Documentation _________________________________________ 48 Labeling/Marking Requirements _______________________________________________ 50 U.S. Export Controls _________________________________________________________ 50 Temporary Entry ____________________________________________________________ 52 Prohibited & Restricted Imports _______________________________________________ 52 Customs Regulations ________________________________________________________ 52 Standards for Trade _________________________________________________________ 52 Trade Agreements __________________________________________________________ 55 2 Licensing Requirements for Professional Services _______________________________ 55 Web Resources _____________________________________________________________ 55 Investment Climate Statement _________________________________________________ 55 Bulgaria - Executive Summary ________________________________________________ 55 Trade & Project Financing _____________________________________________ 56 Methods of Payment _________________________________________________________ 56 Banking Systems ___________________________________________________________ 56 Foreign Exchange Controls ___________________________________________________ 56 U.S. Banks & Local Correspondent Banks _______________________________________ 57 Project Financing ___________________________________________________________ 57 Business Travel ______________________________________________________ 60 Business Customs __________________________________________________________ 60 Travel Advisory _____________________________________________________________ 60 Visa Requirements __________________________________________________________ 61 Currency __________________________________________________________________ 61 Telecommunications/Electric _________________________________________________ 62 Transportation______________________________________________________________ 62 Subway ____________________________________________________________________ 63 Car rentals _________________________________________________________________ 63 Low cost airlines in Bulgaria __________________________________________________ 63 Language __________________________________________________________________ 64 Health _____________________________________________________________________ 65 Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays_______________________________________ 65 Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings _____________________________ 66 Travel Related Web Resources ________________________________________________ 66 INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. Legal Disclaimer: The US&FCS makes every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information in this Guide, a resource for U.S. businesses to use in the exercise of their business judgment. U.S. businesses should conduct their own due diligence before relying on this information. When utilizing the information provided, the U.S. business is responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations of the United States, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). References and links to third-parties and their content are provided for the convenience of readers, and are not exhaustive lists of such resources. The US&FCS is not responsible for the availability of any third-party or its content whether found on an external site or otherwise; nor does US&FCS endorse the third-parties or endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services, or information described or offered in any third-party content. Please be aware that when following a link to an external site, you are then subject to the privacy and security policies and protections of the new site. 3 Doing Business in Bulgaria: Market Overview After the fall of the Berlin wall 30 years ago, Bulgaria underwent significant transformation. It changed from a centralized, planned economy to an open, market-based, middle-income economy anchored in the European Union and NATO. The advancement of structural reforms starting in the late 1990s and the introduction of the currency board spurred improved living standards. As one of the EU’s newest members, Bulgaria is an emerging market providing opportunities for U.S. companies. Bulgaria’s strong macroeconomic health makes it attractive to new companies. Although not part of the Eurozone, the Bulgarian lev is pegged to the euro. Bulgaria also has one of the lowest debt burdens and budget deficits in the EU, with an inflation rate near 2.4%, making it one of the most stable countries in the region for business. Bulgaria’s low corporate and personal income tax rate of 10% is one of several competitive advantages this market offers. Bulgaria’s strategic location in the center of Southeastern Europe and at the crossroads to the Middle East offers a potential launch-pad for expansion into neighboring markets. Bulgaria’s highly educated workforce has the lowest minimum wage in the EU. English is widely spoken. Real GDP growth strengthened from 3.1% in 2018 to 3.5% (year-on-year) in the first quarter of 2019. The recovery in exports that began in the second half of 2018 contributed strongly to economic expansion. EU analysts expect that real GDP growth will reach 3.3% in 2019 and 3.4% in 2020 This report will highlight the leading sectors for U.S. companies, including agriculture, agricultural equipment, energy, environmental technologies, healthcare, IT, tourism, and safety & security. Market Challenges Regulatory and legislative unpredictability Inefficient bureaucracy Slow moving court system Corruption and the influence of entrenched interests in some sectors of the economy Long and arduous process of acquiring construction permits Complex, and often opaque, tendering process Aging population with low purchasing power Market Opportunities Lowest wage rates in the EU Strategic geographic location Simplified registration process for new businesses Low corporate taxes Incentives for investment in certain sectors such as IT, research and development,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Report on the Progress of the Project of Internet Monitoring of Wildlife Trade in CEE Countries in 2011
    Report on the progress of the project of Internet monitoring of wildlife trade in CEE countries in 2011 In 2011 CEEweb CITES Working Group carried out a monitoring of internet wildlife trade in chosen Central and Eastern European countries. The monitoring consists of two surveys. Each survey last one week and was carried out by qualified expert from the CITES WG member organizations on the basis of the methodology elaborated by the WG. Countries covered by the project: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. Organizations/institutions participated in the project: Green Balkans, Birds of Prey Protection Society, Czech Environmental Inspectorate, Nimfea, PTOP “Salamandra”, Milvus Group, Young Researchers of Serbia, ORCA, BROZ and Association Fauna. As deep analysis of the collected data were not the subject of this project, below only some preliminary results are presented. GENERAL RESULTS 3500 3070 3000 2650 2500 2000 1500 1000 640 520 420 420 420 370 320 500 310 300 280 250 190 0 BG CZ HU PL RO RS SK UA 2009 2011 Fig I Estimated average number of CITES specimens' offers available on the websites of monitored countries in 2009 and 2011 30 26,6 25 20 16,3 15 13,7 10 8,2 8 8,6 5,9 5 5,5 4,1 4,6 5 3,1 1,3 0,5 0 BG CZ HU PL RO RS SK UA 2009 2011 Fig II Estimated average number of CITES specimens offered for sale available on the Internet in the monitored countries per 100 thousand citizens in 2009 and 2011 50 45,5 45 40 35 28,6 30 25,3 25 22 20 15,3 13,6 15 12,4 12,9 9,9 9 10 6,7 5,2 4 5 2,4 0 BG CZ
    [Show full text]
  • Ii. Electronic Communications Networks and Services ……
    II. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS AND SERVICES …….. 28 1. Fixed phone networks and fixed phone services provision ……………………. 28 1.1. Fixed phone market players ………………........ 28 1.2. Development of the fixed phone market …………………........ 31 1.3. Fixed telephones ……………………………………….......... 32 1.4. Public telephones …………………………………………………......... 34 1.5. Services provided on the fixed phone market …......... 35 1.6. Regulation of the fixed phone networks and services market ………...... 35 1.7. Imposed price caps on the retail markets for access to public phone networks and of public phone services from a specific location …………………………. 37 2. Mobile cellular networks and services ………………………………………........... 43 2.1. Market players …………………………………………………........... 43 2.2. Mobile cellular network infrastructure ……………………......... 43 2.3. Mobile phone services market development ………………….......... 44 2.4. Services ……………………………………………………………………...... 49 2.5. Prices and Pricing policy …………………………………………………..... 51 3. Prices for interconnection, unbundled and specific access and for joint use. ……........... 56 3.1. Prices for interconnection referring to the markets for call origination from a certain location within public phone networks and call termination in a specific location within individual public phone networks…………………………………. 56 3.2. Prices for interconnection referring to the market of voice call termination within individual mobile networks....................................... 57 3.3 Roaming prices ……………………………………………. 59 3.4. Prices for unbundled access ……………………………………………....... 60 3.5. Prices for specific access ………………………………………………... 61 3.6. Prices for joint use ……………………………….…………......... 63 4. Provision of the universal service …………………………………………..... 63 4.1. Performance of the obligation to provide the universal service on the entire territory of the country ………………………………………..……… 63 4.2. Meeting the obligations for connectivity from a certain location to the public phone network and access to public phone services ………………………………………… 65 4.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 121
    Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 121 Investment in Bulgaria 2018 KPMG in Bulgaria kpmg.com/bg © 2018 KPMG Bulgaria EOOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Investment in Bulgaria Edition 2018 Investment in Bulgaria 2018 | 3 Preface Investment in Bulgaria is one of a series of booklets published by firms within the KPMG network to provide information to those considering investing or doing business internationally. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information presented in this publication is correct and reflects the situation as of April 2018 unless otherwise stated. Its purpose is to provide general guidelines on investment and business in Bulgaria. As the economic situation is undergoing rapid change, further advice should be sought before making any specific decisions. For further information on matters discussed in this publication, please contact Gergana Mantarkova, Managing Partner. KPMG in Bulgaria Sofia Varna 45/A Bulgaria Boulevard 3 Sofia Street, floor 2 1404 Sofia 9000 Varna Bulgaria Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 96 97 300 Tel: +359 52 699 650 Fax: +359 2 96 97 878 Fax: +359 52 611 502 [email protected] kpmg.com/bg © 2018 KPMG Bulgaria EOOD, a Bulgarian limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • National Broadband Infrastructure Plan for Next Generation Access
    NATIONAL BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FOR NEXT GENERATION ACCESS Decree № 435/ 26.06. 2014 National Broadband Infrastructure Plan for Next Generation Access Sofia, 2014 NATIONAL BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FOR NEXT GENERATION ACCESS TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 5 II. TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING NGA INFRASTRUCTURE .................. 9 2.1. Types of Next Generation Broadband Access Networks............................................ 10 2.2. Hybrid Networks ........................................................................................................... 11 2.2.1. Hybrid Ffiber Ccoaxial Networks ....................................................................... 11 2.2.2. Hybrid VDSL Networks ....................................................................................... 12 2.3. Optical Cable Access Networks (FTTx)........................................................................ 14 2.3.1. FTTN (Fiber to the Node).................................................................................... 14 2.3.2. FTTC (Fiber to the Ccurb) ................................................................................... 14 2.3.3. FTTP (FTTB, FTTH, FTTD).................................................................................. 15 2.3.4. Architectures of Optical Access Networks......................................................... 15 2.4. Technical and Economic Aspects of NGA Technologies
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Study on Blocking, Filtering and Take-Down of Illegal Internet Content
    KDWZd/s^dhz KE BLOCKING, FILTERING AND TAKE-DOWN OF ILLEGAL INTERNET CONTENT Excerpt, pages 100-125 This document is part of the Comparative Study on blocking, filtering and take-down of illegal Internet content in the 47 member States of the Council of Europe, which was prepared by the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law upon an invitation by the Secretary General. The opinions expressed in this document do not engage the responsibility of the Council of Europe. They should not be regarded as placing upon the legal instruments mentioned in it any official interpretation capable of binding the governments of Council of Europe member SƚĂƚĞƐ͕ƚŚĞŽƵŶĐŝůŽĨƵƌŽƉĞ͛Ɛstatutory organs or the European Court of Human Rights. Avis 14-067 Lausanne, 20 December 2015 National reports current at the date indicated at the end of each report. Dorigny ʹ CH ʹ 1015 Lausanne - Tel : +41 (0)21 692 49 11 - Fax : +41 (0)21 692 4949 ʹ www.isdc.ch ʹ [email protected] i I. /EdZKhd/KE On 24th November 2014, the Council of Europe formally mandated the Swiss Institute of Comparative >Ăǁ;͞^/>͟ͿƚŽƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĂĐŽŵƉĂƌĂƚŝǀĞƐƚƵĚLJŽŶƚŚĞůĂǁƐĂŶĚƉƌĂĐƚŝĐĞŝŶƌĞƐƉĞĐƚŽĨĨŝůƚĞƌŝŶŐ͕ďůŽĐŬŝŶŐ and takedown of illegal content on the internet in the 47 Council of Europe member States. As agreed between the SICL and the Council of Europe, the study presents the laws and, in so far as information is easily available, the practices concerning the filtering, blocking and takedown of illegal content on the internet in several contexts. It considers the possibility of such action in cases where public order or internal security concerns are at stake as well as in cases of violation of personality rights and intellectual property rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Wimax Regulatory and Spectrum Policy Track Led by Connect World
    All articles are available for download at www.connect-world.com CONTENTS National development Next step for the e-state: e-state 2.0? 4 by Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Communications and ex-Prime Minister, 4 8 12 15 Estonia Growing the Internet in Bulgaria 8 by Dr. Plamen Vatchkov, Chairman of State Agency for Information Technologies and Communications, Bulgaria Regulatory affairs 17 20 23 25 The challenge of NGNs 12 by Mathias Kurth, President of Germany’s Federal Network Agency, for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway Regional development 28 30 33 36 Business innovation and ICT in the Baltic region 15 by Prof. Edvins Karnitis, Expert Forum for the National Development Plan, and Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission, Latvia Building ICT usage in South Eastern Europe 17 by Moniu Monev, CEO of Nexcom Bulgaria 41 43 46 Broadband and universal services Broadband - the worsening digital divide 20 by James Blessing, Chief Operations Officer, Entanet International Ltd VoIP Hosted VoIP services in Europe 23 by Konstantin Nikashov, VP, External Economic Activities, MERA Systems & Member, Executive Board, MERA Group Connections Network tendencies From the Editor-In-Chief’s desk 2 Intelligent networks - coping with growth 25 by Fredric J. Morris by Edgar Masri, CEO & Chairman 3Com Imprint 2 Network development Growing the Net in the Balkans 28 by Dino Andreou, CEO, OTEGlobe, Greece Subscription 48 Network evolution - rising expectation 30 Advertorial by Fotis Karonis, Chief Information Officer, Romtelecom,
    [Show full text]
  • Transportation, Smuggling, and Organized Crime
    TRANSPORTATION, SMUGGLING, AND ORGANIZED CRIME CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF DEMOCRACY CSD REPORTS: 1. Bulgaria’s Participation in EU Structural Funds, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-050-8 2. Social Policy Aspects of Bulgaria’s EU Accession, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-053-4 3. Preparing for EU Accession Negotiations, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-055-7 4. The Role of Political Parties in Accession to the EU, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-055-0 5. Bulgaria’s Capital Markets in the Context of EU Accession: A Status Report, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-059-3 6. Corruption and Trafficking: Monitoring and Prevention, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-078-X 7. Establishing Corporate Governance in an Emerging Market: Bulgaria, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-084-4 9. Corruption and Illegal Trafficking: Monitoring and Prevention, Second, revised and amended edition, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-087-9 10. Smuggling in Southeast Europe, Sofia, 2002. ISBN 954-477-099-2 11. Corruption, Trafficking and Institutional Reform, Sofia, 2002. ISBN 954-477-101-8 12. The Drug Market in Bulgaria, Sofia, 2003. ISBN 954-477-111-5 13. Partners in Crime: The Risks of Symbiosis between the Security Sector and Organized Crime in Southeast Europe, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-115-8 14. Weapons under Scrutiny: Implementing Arms Export Controls and Combating Small Arms Proliferation in Bulgaria, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-117-470 15. Transportation, Smuggling, and Organized Crime, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-119-0 Editorial Board: Ognian Shentov Boyko Todorov Alexander Stoyanov ISBN 954-477-119-0 ©2004 Center for the Study of Democracy All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Regulatory Challenges of Voice Over Ip Telephony: Analysis for Selected South and Eastern European Countries
    INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION ITU WORKSHOP ON Document: FoV/08 12 January 2007 THE FUTURE OF VOICE Geneva, 15-16 January 2007 REGULATORY CHALLENGES OF VOICE OVER IP TELEPHONY: ANALYSIS FOR SELECTED SOUTH AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES © ITU 15-16 January 2007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This background paper was prepared by Anna Riedel <[email protected]> under the ITU New Initiatives Programmeme project on The Future of Voice to be presented at the workshop held in Geneva in January 2007. The opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Telecommunication Union or its membership. The author would like to express her sincere appreciation to the national administrations of Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia for supporting this study, and wishes particularly to thank Jaroslaw Ponder, Nathaly Rey and Justus Haucap for their comments and invaluable assistance. The research project on the Future of Voice is managed by Jaroslaw Ponder, Policy Analyst at the ITU Strategy and Policy Unit <[email protected]>, under the direction of Dr. Tim Kelly, Head of the ITU Strategy and Policy Unit <[email protected]>. Other background materials can be found at http://www.itu.int/spu/voice. II TABLE OF CONTENTS page 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 3 2 Voice over Internet Protocol .......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Transportation, Smuggling, and Organized Crime
    TRANSPORTATION, SMUGGLING, AND ORGANIZED CRIME CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF DEMOCRACY CSD REPORTS: 1. Bulgaria’s Participation in EU Structural Funds, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-050-8 2. Social Policy Aspects of Bulgaria’s EU Accession, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-053-4 3. Preparing for EU Accession Negotiations, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-055-7 4. The Role of Political Parties in Accession to the EU, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-055-0 5. Bulgaria’s Capital Markets in the Context of EU Accession: A Status Report, Sofia, 1999. ISBN 954-477-059-3 6. Corruption and Trafficking: Monitoring and Prevention, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-078-X 7. Establishing Corporate Governance in an Emerging Market: Bulgaria, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-084-4 9. Corruption and Illegal Trafficking: Monitoring and Prevention, Second, revised and amended edition, Sofia, 2000. ISBN 954-477-087-9 10. Smuggling in Southeast Europe, Sofia, 2002. ISBN 954-477-099-2 11. Corruption, Trafficking and Institutional Reform, Sofia, 2002. ISBN 954-477-101-8 12. The Drug Market in Bulgaria, Sofia, 2003. ISBN 954-477-111-5 13. Partners in Crime: The Risks of Symbiosis between the Security Sector and Organized Crime in Southeast Europe, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-115-8 14. Weapons under Scrutiny: Implementing Arms Export Controls and Combating Small Arms Proliferation in Bulgaria, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-117-470 15. Transportation, Smuggling, and Organized Crime, Sofia, 2004. ISBN 954-477-119-0 Editorial Board: Ognian Shentov Boyko Todorov Alexander Stoyanov ISBN 954-477-119-0 ©2004 Center for the Study of Democracy All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Eu Economic and Social Policies Reconsidered
    University American College Skopje Eight Annual Conference on European Integration University American College Skopje Eight Annual Conference on European Integration Will the deepening of European integration within Europe lead to a European super-state, a federation or something else? If the EU were to close its doors on external immigration in the future would it put future economic development at risk? How can economic diplomacy serve as a strategy for sustainable economic growth? Has the EU transformed the crisis into an opportunity for investment in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as a means of achieving sustainable growth? How have the interconnectedness and the ever-growing interdependency of the European countries set in motion the vast number of processes that ultimately led to the current financial crisis? How has the financial crisis demonstrated the need for a new approach to banking regulation and supervision? These are some of the questions addressed in this book. But at the end of the day, whilst the sovereign debt crisis has led to a profound crisis in public confidence in the European project, an alternative OUT OF THE CRISIS: interpretation might be that the crisis could be viewed from a more optimistic perspective - as an opportunity for thinking and rethinking the EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EU as a whole, as well as providing a more positive ideas for future developments. POLICIES RECONSIDERED EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICIES RECONSIDERED Skopje, 2013 ISBN 978-608-4607-28-1 OUT OF THE CRISIS: http://www.artaffaire.com.au/images/contemporary_art/treeoflifewhite.png University American College Skopje Treta makedonska brigada br.
    [Show full text]
  • Rural Tourism Development, a Prerequisite for the Preservation of Bulgarian Traditions
    1 www.esa-conference.ru Rural tourism development, a prerequisite for the preservation of Bulgarian traditions Teodora Rizova, Chief Assist. Ph. D in Social Sciences New Bulgarian University (Sofia, Bulgaria) The village is the place where agricultural production and related employment hold the most weight. It is the cradle of authentic traditions and cultural practices – they are “reserved” for preserving the experience of cultural, linguistic, and, in general – national identity. The village is not a mass tourist destination. It is an alternative to mass tourism and a place, as well as an environ- ment suitable for different forms of specialized tourism – ecological, mountain, adventure, theme tourism, related to cultural-historical heritage, religion, wine, traditions and local cuisine, ethnography, traditional music and crafts (Art. 28 of the Statute of BAAT). In agricultural and social policy of the European Union rural tourism is seen as a form of diversification of activi- ties and increase farmers' incomes. Keywords: rural tourism, traditions, cultural - historical heritage, traditional music and crafts. The work hereby aims to reveal the perspectives available respective region, while indulging the calmness and infor- to preserve the Bulgarian lifestyle and traditions, through the mality of relationships [1]. development of rural tourism and other alternative forms of The rural tourism in Bulgaria is starting to gain popular- tourism. ity not only among Bulgarians, but also among international tourists. More and more foreign visitors combine the holiday Bulgaria is a country with rich biodiversity – over 3,750 in one of our big, famous resorts with a visit to a Bulgarian varieties of higher plants, of which 763 are listed in the Red village.
    [Show full text]
  • MAPPING DIGITAL MEDIA: BULGARIA Mapping Digital Media: Bulgaria
    COUNTRY REPORT MAPPING DIGITAL MEDIA: BULGARIA Mapping Digital Media: Bulgaria A REPORT BY THE OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS WRITTEN BY Vesislava Antonova and Andrian Georgiev (lead reporters) EDITED BY Marius Dragomir and Mark Thompson (Open Society Media Program editors) Magda Walter (regional editor) EDITORIAL COMMISSION Yuen-Ying Chan, Christian S. Nissen, Dusˇan Reljic´, Russell Southwood, Michael Starks, Damian Tambini The Editorial Commission is an advisory body. Its members are not responsible for the information or assessments contained in the Mapping Digital Media texts OPEN SOCIETY MEDIA PROGRAM TEAM Meijinder Kaur, program assistant; Morris Lipson, senior legal advisor; and Gordana Jankovic, director OPEN SOCIETY INFORMATION PROGRAM TEAM Vera Franz, senior program manager; Darius Cuplinskas, director 1 March 2013 Contents Mapping Digital Media ..................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 6 Context ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Social Indicators ................................................................................................................................ 11 Economic Indicators ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]