16.5.2007

Bulgaria To Join Euro Zone In 2010 To 2015- Finance Minister

Bulgaria can join the euro zone in 2010 to 2015, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski said.
Accepting the common European currency, however, should not turn into a goal at all costs, he said. Bulgaria should first meet all Maastricht criteria.

Inflation remains the main problem that Bulgaria has to deal with. In 2007, it will reach 4.4 per cent, which is higher than the needed level, Oresharski said as quoted by investor.bg.
The country’s most dynamically evolving sector is industry. High demand caused developments.
Foreign investment is also growing constantly and will increase between two and five per cent by 2009, Oresharski said. Despite the development, the country still has to deal with its high current account deficit.

Competitiveness and the quality of public services remain among the other problems that the country has to deal with. In the coming years, Bulgaria will also experience serious shortage of qualified labour hand and the quality of education could hinder economic growth.

09:03 Wed 16 May 2007
http://www.sofiaecho.com/