NEWS

Rosen Plevneliev: European politicians will not produce growth while postponing important structural reforms

2012-06-26 13:14:00

European politicians will not produce growth while postponing important structural reforms and appropriate “growth” must be filled out with substance, President Rosen Plevneliev said today. The President today opened at the University of National and World Economy a conference entitled “Preconditions and prospects for sustainable economic growth in Bulgaria and Europe”. “I do not believe in growth achieved at the expense of new debt to be paid by the next generation but in sustainable growth based on reforms for competitiveness, productivity, a better business environment and good global positioning,” the President told participants in the discussion. According to the Head of State, fiscal discipline is important but not a sufficient condition for sustainable economic growth. The President called for honesty from politicians about problems and solutions to overcome the current crisis, which according to the head of state is not only the worst since World War 2, but also the most unpredictable.

According to Rosen Plevneliev, decisions that achieve sustainable economic growth are those on investment in education, support for small and medium enterprises and the creation of working public institutions as a platform for business development.

On education, the President highlighted the necessity of good practical skills relevant to the requirements of business as well as introducing the concept of lifelong learning. Universities have a leading role in shaping an entrepreneurial culture among young people and Bulgarian universities already have moved in this direction, the President said. He said that universities have the potential to be not only national but also regional players in the field of education, a step towards good traditions and quality.

More than 99 per cent of the national economy and more than two-thirds of the jobs in Bulgaria are created by small and medium enterprises and support for them is always a factor in economic development. The President called for economic development in Bulgaria based on innovative and export-oriented SMEs. Technology parks and industrial areas are well functioning tools for economic development and local authorities in Bulgaria must deepen their integrated development plans and construction of such centres, the President told participants in the discussion.

Bulgaria should not seek “cheap money”, the conference was told by the Director of the Directorate General “Economic and Financial Affairs” at the European Commission, Istvan Szekely. He said the country should make optimal use of human resources and work towards better conditions for attracting foreign investors by reducing the cost of doing business. According to Mr Szekely, it is important for Bulgaria to attract both foreign investment and establish systems for knowledge transfer. He noted that the country is fiscally disciplined and managed to stabilize the macroeconomic indicators.

The University Forum was organized jointly with the Presidential Administration and attracted economic analysts and experts from the European Commission, University of National and World Economy, Economic Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Center for Economic Development, the Institute for Market Economics, Center for Economic Strategies and Competitiveness, "Industry Watch", Center for the Study of Democracy and the Institute for Economic Policy.

MORE FROM NEWS

President: The Macedonian Almanac Documents the Historical Truth about the Eternal Cause of Macedonian Bulgarians to Preserve Their Millennial Identity and Language

2 October 2025 | 21:09
Rumen Radev participates in the presentation of a phototype edition of the book of the Macedonian Patriotic Organisation on the 85th anniversary of the original

Strengthening Cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan in the Field of Defence and Security Was discussed by President Rumen Radev and Japan's Deputy Minister of Defense Yozo Kaneko

24 September 2025 | 17:05
Japan is a priority partner and friend of Bulgaria in the East Asian region, emphasised Rumen Radev, highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries, which is based on mutual respect, to which trust in the bilateral political dialogue at the highest level also contributes

President Radev: Addressing the Deficit of Critical Capabilities Requires Overcoming the Deep Fragmentation in European Defence Science and Defence

17 September 2025 | 13:01
Against the backdrop of the dynamic security environment, addressing the deficit of critical capabilities requires overcoming the deep fragmentation in European defence science and defence and broad cooperation between European countries. This was stated by President Rumen Radev today at a forum where modern technologies in the field of defence and security were presented.

Head of State: Bulgaria Is Becoming Increasingly Visible on the Investment Map of German Business

11 September 2025 | 13:01
Bulgaria is increasingly visible on the German investment map and ever more attractive to German companies, many of which reinvest their profits and export research and development centres to our country. This was stated by President Rumen Radev during a meeting in Sofia with the leadership of the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA).

ОТКРИТО УПРАВЛЕНИЕ

e-ДОКУМЕНТИ

BULGARIAN CHRISTMAS

SUPPORT A DREAM

JOHN ATANASOFF AWARD

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY


Useful links