After the convergence reports came out of them, it became clear, although expected, that Bulgaria does not meet the criteria for joining the eurozone . Due to the unstable political picture in the country, Bulgaria failed to show the necessary desire to fulfill the inflation criteria. This is a clear reflection of the country's competitiveness.
This is what Ruslan Stefanov commented – program director and chief economist at the Center for the Study of Democracy, in the show "In Development", with host Veronika Denisova.
„Bulgaria will have a real chance to join the Eurozone when the Bulgarian government, in the person of the Ministry of Finance and the BNB, declare a clear desire and support.“
In 2009, our country was in 38th place in the IMD ranking, but after that the competitiveness deteriorated sharply. Ruslan Stefanov commented that these indicators are relative. It is possible to simultaneously have income growth and at the same time lag behind in terms of competitiveness.
„The lack of a targeted, national, conscious policy for competitiveness, for innovation, science and technology is desperate.“
The last bold policies for competitiveness in our country were made 20 years ago, said Ruslan Stefanov. Last year, Bulgaria entered the gray list of the International Organization that monitors money laundering. The networks and laws in the country are old and out of date.
Business is our great hope. Our previous government's income-raising reform is having an impact. And according to the program director, it is possible that one day we will overtake Greece as well, due to the lack of such large debts on our side.
Europe has many imperfections when it comes to the application of laws. Therefore, Bulgaria must protect its political interests, and according to experts, these interests must be the Eurozone and full entry into it. Thus, the costs of doing business will decrease.
„Bulgaria has long been ready. As a currency board country, we carry all the positives and negatives of being part of the Eurozone“