A total of 190,650 students are currently enrolled in Bulgarian higher education institutions in the academic year 2024/2025. Of these, over 130,000 are studying in the educational and qualification degree "bachelor" and "professional bachelor", and over 60,000 - in master's programs. This is shown by the data from the National Map of Higher Education, which was updated by the Council of Ministers. For comparison, in the academic year 2023/2024 a total of 182,759 students studied in Bulgarian higher education institutions - nearly 3 thousand more than in the previous year. In the academic year 2024/2025, the number of newly admitted students on state orders is 39,519. Their number is at its highest level in the last 5 years. The most popular professional fields on a national scale are "Economics", "Pedagogy", "Medicine", "Administration and Management", "Pedagogy of Education in ...", "Communication and Computer Technology", "Informatics and Computer Science" and "Law". Over half of the current students are trained in these eight fields. There are 51 higher education institutions in the country. They decreased by one after the closure of the European School of Economics and Management in Plovdiv by a decision of the National Assembly in September 2024. The number of foreign students in Bulgarian higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years and in the 2024/2025 academic year their share reached 8.67% of the current students. It already slightly exceeds the average for EU countries, which is 8.4%.

The Council of Ministers adopted a regulation that, for the first time, clearly defines which households in Bulgaria are considered energy poor and which fall into the category of "vulnerable customers". Thus, people who have difficulty covering their electricity, heating and other energy needs will be able to receive support under clearer and more transparent rules. The new rules also introduce a special information system that will facilitate the entire process. People will submit an application to the Social Assistance Agency, and then the system will automatically collect the necessary information from over 10 state institutions and registers. This will avoid complex procedures and subjective assessments. After processing the data, a document will be issued indicating whether a given household is energy poor or a vulnerable customer. This information will also be submitted to electricity distribution companies, which will be able to apply the relevant measures - both financial assistance and recommendations for improving energy efficiency, such as renovation. The main criterion for determining energy poverty will be income. The average monthly household income will be calculated, and all energy costs - electricity, heating, steam and hot water - will be subtracted from it. If the remaining amount is below the poverty line, which is currently 390.63 euros, the household will be defined as energy poor. In addition to this group, a category of "vulnerable clients" is being created. It will include people with over 50% disability, people who have already received energy benefits, people on social benefits, as well as citizens for whom there is a medical document that a power outage could endanger their lives. Some people will receive this status automatically, without submitting an application. This applies, for example, to people who use life-support equipment that depends on electricity, as well as to the most vulnerable social groups. Data about them will be exchanged directly between institutions. The rest will have to submit an application, and the system will process the information and give a result depending on the data in the registers. How long the procedure will take will depend on how quickly the institutions exchange information with each other. The regulation is expected to come into force in early July, when the information system should be fully ready. The amount of the aid has not yet been finally determined, as talks with the European Commission are pending. It is planned that the financial support will be temporary - it will be given until the housing is renovated and energy costs decrease.

Sofia Municipality has announced the first completely new procedure for selecting a cleaning company for one of the districts in the city, after the previous one was terminated - for the so-called zone 3, which includes the districts "Izgrev", "Slatina" and "Poduyane". The Sofia Municipality team has decided to do this with a negotiated procedure without prior notice, in which the Sofia Municipality has invited four candidates to submit offers by April 20, and not with a classic open tender. The estimated value is 34.4 million euros for the next five years. This is happening after in February 2026 the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) confirmed the municipality's decision to terminate the first procedure for these three districts of the capital. Since December, cleaning there has been taking place with municipal capacity - with the efforts of the district administrations and the Sofia Waste Processing Plant. The merger of two Bulgarian companies - "Soriko" and "Bax 99" is one of the invited participants in the procedure. The first company is from Nova Zagora, and "Bax 99" is registered in Sofia. The second invited association is "Clean Sofia", for which there is no information in the official registers, but the email address belongs to "Techno Import Export 2023", owned by Sergey Pamukov. The association is led by the Turkish company "Atlas Temizilik Turizm Inşaat Peyzaj" with a 65% stake, "Golden Investment Group" (30%) and "Golden Ticket" (5%). A Turkish company with the same name has existed since the early 1990s, dealing with cleaning in the Istanbul region. Since 2019, the company has been involved in waste management in the Turkish cities of Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara and Mersin, and has also been active in the Lebanese capital Beirut. "Golden Investment Group" has existed since November 2025 as the property of Sergey Pamukov, and in February 2026 Fatih Atasoy (also representing the Turkish company), Ivan Hristov Ivanov and Robert Barakov joined as partners. The company is registered in Pazardzhik. Two more companies were invited. One is "Eco Resource - R". The owners are Kamelia Dineva and Veronika Vasileva. The last invited company is "Euro Impex", owned by Alexander Ivanov through "Euro Equity Management". "Euro Impex"'s revenues for 2024 are over 23 million leva. The company has public procurement contracts with the municipalities of Svoge, Dupnitsa, Bozhurishte, Bobov Dol, Kostenets and others from Sofia region. It also has a contract for over 4 million euros from a few months ago with the Sofia Municipality for the transportation and recovery/disposal of waste.

A serious strategic change was announced by the founder of "Econt" Nikolay Sabev. The courier company will concentrate its efforts on its network of offices and machines (the so-called "Econtomats") at the expense of deliveries to the address. The new approach will affect small settlements in the coming weeks. It is difficult to "cover" the relevant areas with couriers - finding the right people is a challenge. An additional problem is the rent and salaries that go along with maintaining a large number of offices. This is a challenge for all courier companies and is the basis for the large-scale expansion of delivery machines. On the one hand, for users, they provide flexibility with a point close to their home and 24/7 access for sending and receiving. On the other hand, for the courier company, the required resource is smaller: one employee with a van does in minutes what previously took several hours. "Econt" has been developing its network of automatic postal stations for more than 10 years. However, they were not the main focus of the company for a long time, which relied on a network of offices and courier coverage. Currently, Econt's machines are only 38 across the country. For comparison, Speedy and Box Now have over 700, and Sameday's were nearly 1,000 in 2024. In other words, in the coming months, blue automatic post offices will probably become an increasingly common sight in our country. This is another change in Econt's services in recent months. In early December, the company announced that it would gradually discontinue all postal services by early spring - letters, small parcels, money transfers and distribution of advertising materials.

A total of 14 companies from all over the country, with over 6,000 vehicles, are uniting for the first time in the Bulgarian Association of Taxi Companies, announced the founder of Volt Premium Taxi - Ognyan Popov. The Bulgarian Association of Taxi Companies is the first national industry structure that unites key participants in the taxi business. Behind its creation are the owners of some of the largest licensed companies in the country. The Management Board of the association includes: Ognyan Popov (Volt, Sofia) - Chairman, Hristo Chernev (TaxiMe, Sofia) - Deputy Chairman, Lachezar Genadiev (OK Supertrans, Sofia), Ivelin Georgiev (Hippo Taxi, Varna), Diyan Stanev (ViLet, Plovdiv), Ivaylo Donev (EKO Taxi, Plovdiv) and Daniel Donev (Tochnite, Ruse)

Bulgarian investment firm Red Group Capital has acquired a 10% stake in GIT Protect, a Sofia-based company specializing in system integration and cybersecurity. The acquisition is part of the fund’s strategy to expand its portfolio with companies that solve real business problems through IT services and have the potential to grow sustainably and be relevant in the long term. GIT Protect is a system integrator and IT services provider founded in 2018 in Sofia. The company implements and manages cybersecurity, cloud services and IT infrastructure solutions. The deal is Red Group Capital’s third in the last 12 months and follows the company’s investment model of gradually building a stake in companies with a proven product and potential for scaling. According to its business strategy, the fund enters with a minority stake (between 10% and 20%), with the possibility of increasing the stake upon achieving specific business goals. In addition to capital, the fund will support GIT Protect's development through its internal RED Growth Framework, which includes work on market positioning, marketing, sales and international expansion. The investment will be aimed at expanding the client base, increasing the capacity for consulting services and deepening partnerships with leading cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. technews.bg

The Council of Ministers decided to provide the Ministry of Culture with management of part of the island of St. St. Kirik and Julita near Sozopol - a public state property. This decision follows months of disputes over the future of this valuable territory, which is part of the Sozopol reserve and has significant cultural heritage. The island is among the most valuable sites on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and has the status of immovable cultural value. It falls within the boundaries of the Sozopol reserve and is connected to the ancient history of Apollonia. In early 2026, the outgoing government decided to transfer part of the island to the state enterprise "Port Infrastructure". The plans included the construction of a port for passenger ships, a yacht marina and a tourist area. The decision caused a sharp reaction from archaeologists, architects and museum specialists. According to them, such a project poses a risk to the archaeological layers and could change the character of the place. With the latest decision, the management of part of the island is once again assigned to the Ministry of Culture. Thus, the idea of ​​its development as a port area is practically abandoned, at least at this stage. The department is expected to continue work on the older project for the creation of a cultural, museum and scientific center. Currently, activities have already begun on the island to restore the main building - the former maritime school. The decision puts an end to the last dispute over ownership and management, but leaves open the question of how exactly the island will be developed and when the projects for a cultural and scientific center will be implemented.

The construction of a retail park in Galabovo has started. The investor is "Retail Park Galabovo", and 2.5 million euros will be invested in the site. On 10 acres, with a total area of ​​4,000 sq. m., a Billa food hypermarket, a Lilly drugstore, Sinsay and Pepco fashion and home goods stores, as well as a pharmacy will be located. The commercial site will be located at 125 Republic Blvd. (opposite Chaika), on the Ruse-Svilengrad international road. A car wash and 100 parking spaces will be part of the amenities of the complex, and a photovoltaic park will be built on the roof - for the needs of the site. The implementation of this project will lead to the opening of 50 new jobs. It will be used by nearly 12,500 people who live on the territory of the municipality, workers of the "Maritsa Iztok" complex, as well as residents of other municipalities. The new RETAIL PARK is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2026. divident.eu

At its meeting of 7.04.2026, the FSC decided: 1. Approves a prospectus for admission to trading on a regulated market of a bond issue issued by "Finance Assistance Management" REIT, Sofia. The issue in the amount of EUR 15,000,000, distributed in 15,000 ordinary, dematerialized, registered, freely transferable, interest-bearing, secured, non-convertible bonds, with a nominal value of EUR 1,000 each, with ISIN code BG2100043251, with a variable annual interest rate formed by the value of the 6-month EURIBOR with a surcharge of 1.25%, but in total not less than 3.00% and in total not more than 5.00% per annum, with an issue date of 15.12.2025 and a maturity date of 15.12.2033. Enters the specified bond issue in the register of public companies and other issuers of securities, for the purpose of trading on a regulated market. 2. Approves Hristina Gabrovska as a member of the board of directors of the management company "Karol Capital Management" EAD. 3. Approves the submitted Agreement for the assignment of activities under Art. 27, para. 3 of the Act on Investment and Financial Institutions (keeping and storing accounting and other records), concluded between "Roy Property Fund" REIT and a third party. 5. Refuses to consider the application submitted by "Pro Trader" EOOD with a request for the issuance of a license to carry out activities as a provider of crypto-asset services due to incompleteness of the submitted documents and information.

In February 2026, euro area producer prices (PPI) fell by 0.7% compared to the previous month, when they increased by 0.8%, according to Eurostat data. Compared to January last year, prices fell by 3%. In the EU, prices decreased by 0.5%, after increasing by 0.8% in the previous month. On an annual basis, prices fell by 2.7%. The largest declines in industrial producer prices for the month were recorded in Spain (-3.1%), Ireland (-2.6%) and Portugal (-1.8%). The largest increases were observed in Croatia (3.8%), Finland (2.7%) and Lithuania (1.8%). On an annual basis, the largest declines were recorded in Spain (-7.0%), Ireland (-4.6%) and Portugal (-4.5%). The largest increases were recorded in Bulgaria (9.2%), Finland (7.9%) and Sweden (3.5%). Retail sales in the euro area in February 2026 decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous month, when the indicator showed no change. The dynamics of this indicator coincides with the consensus forecast of analysts, cited by Trading Economics. On an annual basis, sales increased by 1.7%. In the 27 countries of the European Union, retail sales decreased by 0.3% in the previous month, after zero change in the previous month. On an annual basis, sales increased by 1.7%. On an annual basis, the largest increase was recorded in Luxembourg (11.9%), Malta (11.4%) and Bulgaria (7.3%). The most significant decline was observed in Romania (-6.8%), Slovenia (-3.5%) and Slovakia (-2.4%). In Germany, retail sales in February compared to January decreased by 0.6%, and in France by 0.1%. Sales in Italy and Spain remained unchanged.

The dollar is playing its classic role in the global financial system – not as a leading asset, but as a function of the fear that is currently temporarily receding from the markets. After the announced ceasefire between the US and Iran, the dollar index fell by as much as 0.97%, reaching a four-week low, erasing more than half of the gains accumulated since the conflict began in late February. This move is not isolated, but part of a broader realignment of capital. The euro is up by nearly 1% to around 1.17, reaching its highest levels in more than a month, while currencies with a higher risk profile such as the Swedish krona and the South African rand are adding roughly 2%. During the escalation, the dollar has been strengthening for two reasons. First, the classic demand for safe-haven assets. Second, the specific advantage of the US as a net energy exporter, which makes the economy more resilient to a global energy shock. This combination has put the dollar at the center of defensive positioning. The truce reverses this logic. The signal of the restoration of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil supplies pass, changes the perception of risk. Oil reacts with a sharp decline, which is immediately transmitted to inflation expectations and, accordingly, to the yield on US bonds. Yields fall, and with it support for the dollar. The dollar is a function of three main factors - yield, liquidity and risk. At the moment, all three are moving against it. Yields fall because inflationary pressures weaken. Liquidity begins to be redirected to riskier assets. Risk itself decreases, albeit temporarily. Markets are not waiting for real changes in the economy. They react to a change in probabilities. The truce does not resolve the conflict, but it reduces the likelihood of the worst-case scenario - a long-term blockage of energy flows. This is enough to trigger a massive unloading of dollar positions. This is also clearly visible in options. Traders are starting to close out bullish dollar positions, with the so-called skew returning to its lowest levels in the last month. This does not mean that the long-term sentiment has completely reversed, but it shows that the market is no longer unilaterally positioned in favor of the dollar. The European context adds another layer. A weaker dollar automatically means a stronger euro, which alleviates some of the inflationary pressure in the eurozone through cheaper imports of raw materials. At the same time, however, this puts pressure on European exporters, especially in Germany and France, where the exchange rate is critical for competitiveness. Europe benefits from lower energy prices and a stronger euro in the short term, but loses some of its external competitiveness. This means that the effect is not one-way, but cyclical and dependent on the duration of the current regime. Historically, similar movements are observed with every sharp de-escalation. The dollar strengthens in moments of crisis and weakens at the first sign of relief. This happened during the 2020 pandemic, as well as the 2022 inflation shock. The difference today is speed. Movements are faster because information is transmitted instantly, and positioning is more dynamic. The main thesis here is not that the dollar is weakening, but why it is weakening. This is not a structural change in the US economy. This is a reaction to a decline in geopolitical risk and, accordingly, in protective demand. If this risk returns, the logic will reverse just as quickly. Markets are not currently choosing between growth and decline. They are choosing between fear and relief. The dollar is a direct reflection of this choice. And when an asset that usually serves as a haven begins to lose strength so quickly, it is rarely a sign of stability, but rather of a system that is moving from one risk regime to another without having reached equilibrium.

China bought the most gold in more than a year in March, demonstrating that one of the key pillars of support for the precious metal remains intact. The People's Bank of China increased its gold reserves for the 17th consecutive month, adding 160,000 troy ounces (about 5 tons) amid geopolitical instability, according to a report released by the institution on April 7. The country's gold reserves rose to 74.38 million troy ounces (2,313 tons) in March from 74.22 million in February. However, the market valuation of gold reserves fell to $342.76 billion at the end of last month, compared with $387.59 billion the previous month, data from Chinese central bankers showed. This is the first decline in the value of China's gold reserves since May 2025, due to the steepest monthly collapse in gold prices since 2008, of 11.52 percent. The People's Bank of China, which ended an 18-month gold purchase streak in May 2024, resumed them six months later as part of a broader trend of central banks increasing their gold reserves. Russia and Kazakhstan also maintain a strong and long-term interest in diversifying reserves, the World Gold Council notes. Some investors and countries (such as Turkey) have sold gold to provide liquidity or protect their national currencies during the crisis.