The government is introducing a large package of measures with one clear goal - to stop the rise in prices for Bulgarian consumers, which is caused by the conflict in the Middle East, said acting prime minister Andrey Gyurov in a video posted on his Facebook page, in which he presents the measures being taken by the Council of Ministers.
He notes that the government's task is to make this external pressure as felt as little as possible in people's everyday lives. Therefore, we start with the most important thing: transport. The increase in fuel prices is felt the most there, and if we do not act, this will directly affect everything else - from travel to food and goods, Gyurov points out.
That is why we decided to postpone the introduction of tolls by several months, which means 30 million euros less costs for carriers, money that would otherwise go directly into prices. This measure affects all vehicles over 3.5 tons - large trucks, agricultural machinery, even small vans that bring food to people, the Prime Minister notes. In parallel, we have started negotiations with the European Commission for additional support of 50 million euros for the transport sector, he adds.
Another important priority is food. We want people to have access to Bulgarian fruits and vegetables. That is why we are supporting agricultural producers, reducing the excise tax on fuels and paying their subsidies earlier, so they will be able to produce more and do it now, when it is most important, Gyurov also says in the video.
One of the strongest anti-inflationary measures is related to electricity for businesses. With high prices, there will be working compensations so that businesses do not pass on the costs to people. This applies to everyone from industry, through small businesses to hair salons, manicurists, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, the Prime Minister points out.
These measures must reach every person and especially the most vulnerable, Gyurov states. That is why we have already introduced direct assistance of 20 euros due to increased fuel prices, he points out. The next steps are to open 15,000 jobs for young people and the permanently unemployed, the acting Prime Minister informed. We are also preparing an ordinance on energy poverty next week. We are working to reduce product taxes that increase the prices of white and black appliances, he also stated.
We have already subsidized urban transport with 50 million euros. We will also support intercity transport in remote and hard-to-reach areas. There will also be special support for school buses, informed Andrey Gyurov.
The most important thing, according to him, is for these measures to work. That is why we are introducing increased control - the National Revenue Agency, the Consumer Protection Commission and the National Statistical Institute will monitor whether prices are actually holding up, the Prime Minister noted.
We are also creating a special headquarters for price stability. It will monitor whether the measures are effective, whether new ones are needed or whether some should be dropped, he also reported. Our goal is clear - to make this crisis as minimally felt as possible in the daily lives of Bulgarian citizens, says Gyurov.