"Irrespective of the fact that inflation is steadily going down, we are not covering the inflationary criterion. We also show no diplomatic, political motivation to make this happen faster. We will have to fulfill our criteria. I hope the Council of Ministers will take the necessary measures to fulfill them".
This was stated by financier and banker Levon Hampartsumyan in "Day ON AIR".
According to him, the problem is precisely the deficit: "When you catch up with growth, you will have a deficit".
About 70% of the new wealth in Bulgaria is created by the private sector, Hampartzumyan said. Regarding the spread, but unconfirmed, information that First Investment Bank is being sold, the banker reminded that in such transactions, they are publicly announced when things are already completed.
"At any moment a company or bank can be sold or bought. Bulgaria's banking sector has better and worse managed banks, but all are within basic criteria. The Bulgarian banking market is quite fragmented, and so is the European one," the financier explained to Bulgaria ON AIR.
Khampartzumyan described the tightening of lending as a step in the right direction, but more of a warning than a sudden move.
"Probably interest rates will go up. It won't be drastic, but we can expect something between 5 and 25%. The low interest rates in the EU and the Eurozone, relative to America, come from the large government debts of the southern EU countries. BNB is an important institution. It will continue to be important in the structure of the Eurozone as well", he specified.
The financier expressed an opinion on whether it is possible for the minimum wage to become BGN 1,080 from January 1.
"I am inclined to discuss with the unions if they, along with what they want the minimum wage to be, say how many members they have. This is one of the very well kept secrets. We can afford everything, but if there is no supply of goods and services on the other side to cover the new value, we will get inflation," Khampartzumyan analyzed.
He emphasized that our country is a major world power in the production of gambling technology.
"It is better for gambling to be limited in places where there is tourism, limited in time and space," Hampartsumyan specified.