Expectations for an increase in inflation in Bulgaria due to the increase in prices of bread and electricity were expressed in an interview with BTA, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio, by the chairman of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov.
With the caveat that the NSI does not make forecasts, Atanas Atanasov pointed out. "In the first days of the year we see that bread producers and restaurateurs are already raising prices in connection with the increase in VAT for the products they produce, we could also expect an increase in inflation in the country. Moreover, since bread and derived products have a large weight in the consumer basket. The change in the price of electricity will certainly have an impact on increasing inflation".
Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov specified that this year the statistics will monitor four new goods and services falling into the consumer basket, and eight others will be dropped.
Among those dropped are a PCR test for Covid-19 and a cordless screwdriver. But they have been replaced by a combined test - a rapid antigen test for Covid-19 and a test for proving influenza A+B. And in place of the cordless screwdriver, a cordless screwdriver enters the basket. New goods include a dryer and a lunch coupon for a school cafeteria.
Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and by land is likely to lead to minor difficulties for national statistics in some studies such as international tourism, but it will borrow from the experience of the Schengen area countries in collecting data from tourists, explained Associate Professor Atanasov.
In 2025, National Statistics will pay more attention to immigration data - in particular, in accordance with the EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment.
New surveys of household consumption and finances, of fast-growing enterprises by the number of employees, of gender equality in management, and others are also to be conducted, said the Chairman of the NSI.