“The topics of Budget 2025, financial sector regulation, and economic stimulus are all part of the broader conversation on the competitiveness of both Europe and Bulgaria. The business community has always advocated for political stability – and this is why we support Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area, the Eurozone, and the OECD, as well as our strategic positioning as a reliable EU and NATO member state. We also urge the government to play an even more active role in the various EU dialogue formats, and we expect the U.S.– Bulgaria Strategic Dialogue to be relaunched, positioning our country and economy within the evolving global trade landscape.”

“A stable and predictable fiscal policy and regulatory environment in Bulgaria is of critical importance to BBBA members and the business community at large during this final stage of Bulgaria’s Eurozone accession. That’s why we’re committed to delivering as much detailed information as possible to support businesses through this transitional period. We believe that the global economic landscape is being reshaped – and this is a timely opportunity for Bulgaria to elevate its place on the international stage.”

“We hope the conclusions [of the convergence reports] will be positive and will allow Bulgaria to take its rightful place in the Eurozone starting January 1, 2026. We’ve come a long way.”

She noted that Bulgaria has already met all formal criteria and stressed the significant technical groundwork that has been completed by the administration to meet its obligations for adopting the euro. She also highlighted current fiscal priorities:

“One of the government’s top priorities is restoring the stability and sustainability of Bulgaria’s public finances, as well as tackling the grey economy.”

“The good news for Bulgaria is that, in this complex global environment, the country’s macroeconomic stance remains stable. Economic activity is expected to continue on positive ground. The banking sector shows strong fundamentals – with capital adequacy, liquidity, and profitability indicators all exceeding EU averages. From a fiscal perspective, Bulgaria’s debt-to-GDP ratio continues to be one of the strongest in the EU. At the same time, we must regain control over annual budgets, including the creation of both explicit and implicit buffers.”

The moderated discussion allowed AmCham Bulgaria and BBCC members to engage directly with the guest speakers on key issues including the long-term impacts of recent U.S. trade measures, the broader outlook for Bulgaria’s competitiveness, and strategies for building resilience across sectors. Topics such as healthcare, education, talent development, and innovation also featured prominently in the conversation.