Why invest in Bulgaria?

Stable political environment & low country risk:

• NATO membership
• EU membership

Macroeconomic and financial stability:

• real GDP growth rate - -5.0% (2009)
• inflation rate, annual change - 0.6% (2009)
• unemployment rate - 9.1% (2009)
• no currency risk, local currency is pegged to Euro
• budget surplus for the previous 5 years (-3.9% for 2009)
• investment grade credit rating by major rating agencies

EU's most favourable taxes:

• 10% corporate income tax rate; 0% in high-unemployment areas
• 10% flat tax rate on personal income
• 2-year VAT exemption for imports of equipment for investment projects over € 5 million, creating at least 50 jobs
• depreciation of 2 years for computers and new manufacturing equipment
• opportunity for R&D expenditure write-off
• 5% withholding tax on dividends and liquidation quotas (0% for EU tax residents )

Strategic geographic position as a bridge between Europe and Asia
Labour force:

• Highly skilled, multilingual work force
• Europe's most competitive salary levels
• 45,000 Bulgarian students in Europe

Europe's lowest operational costs
Free movement of capital
No restrictions on after-tax repatriation of profits
Up to 1 year minimum salary and reimbursement of social/health care security for employing young people and disadvantaged people through the Employment Agency
Government financial support for priority investment projects
Excellent climate, natural scenery, food and hospitality
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Incentives under the Investment Promotion Act
1. Information services and shortened administrative services
2.Individual administrative services
3. Preferential treatment upon acquisition of a right of ownership and limited real rights over real estate - private state or private municipal property
4. Financial support for vocational training of employees for the needs of the investment project
5. Infrastructure support to the borders of the investment     project site
6. State support for priority investment projects meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• the volume of the investments to be at least three times the threshold amount for Class A certification (above 16 million EUR)
• creating jobs in high-tech activities or in undeveloped regions
• construction of industrial zones or technology parks