Monthly inflation in Bulgaria, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is expected to be 0.7 percent, and annual inflation - 3.6 percent in January 2026, according to the express preliminary estimate of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). In January 2026, compared to the previous month, an increase in prices is expected in the groups: "Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services" (2 percent), "Insurance and financial services" (1.9 percent) and "Restaurant and hotel services" (1.6 percent). A decrease is expected in the groups: "Clothing and footwear" (-4 percent) and "Information and communication" (-0.3 percent). With the announcement of the so-called flash inflation, which provides early information on inflation rates before the publication of final and detailed statistical data, Bulgaria will be able to compare this indicator with the other 20 eurozone countries, after it became part of the monetary union on January 1 this year. In the middle of the month, flash inflation will be replaced on the NSI website with final data, as is the practice in the other eurozone countries. In order to calculate inflation, every month, NSI surveyors visit over 6,300 retail outlets in regional cities and make over 40,000 registrations of the prices of 860 goods and services observed in the consumer basket. Then, for about 15 days, calculations are made of how much inflation is during the month. Since January, however, as a eurozone member country, we have an obligation at the end of the current month or at the very beginning of the next to announce this preliminary estimate of inflation. In this regard, by the 20th of the month, over 90 percent of all prices will be registered, and then by the end of the month, the rest will be collected, whose prices are available at the end of the month (for example: home social patronage, cardiovascular drugs, etc.) or change frequently (for example: fresh fruits and vegetables, fuels, etc.), the NSI explained. The flash inflation methodology includes data on both the consumer price index and the harmonized consumer price index, reminding that the two indices are calculated from the same basket of goods and services and from the same prices, but differ in the weights used. An express estimate is also calculated for the small consumer basket of one hundred socially useful and essential goods and services, the NSI indicated, noting that the weights of the goods, which represent the relative shares of the cash expenditures of the lowest-income 20 percent of households, do not change, and the only difference is that in the estimates, the NSI does not have the complete information to obtain final data.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, local administrations in Bulgaria issued construction permits for 2,425 residential buildings with a total of 15,642 dwellings and 1,797,318 sq m of gross floor area (GFA), according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). During the same period, construction permits were issued for 14 administrative buildings and offices with a total of 13,516 sq m of GFA, as well as for 1,307 other buildings with a total GFA of 769,509 sq m. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of issued permits for residential buildings increased by 5.8%, the number of dwellings in them by 15.5%, and the gross floor area by 21.8%. For administrative buildings, a decrease was recorded in both the number of permits – by 12.5%, and in GFA – by 8.3%. Construction permits for other buildings increased by 2.8% on a quarterly basis, and their gross floor area by 12.5%. On an annual basis, permits issued for new residential buildings increased by 26.6%, the number of dwellings in them by 58.6%, and the gross floor area by 62.9%. At the same time, permits for administrative buildings decreased by 6.7%, and their gross floor area by 61.3%. Other types of buildings recorded an annual growth of 10.3% in the number of permits and 22.5% in the gross floor area. In the fourth quarter, the largest number of construction permits for new residential buildings were issued in the districts of Plovdiv, Sofia (capital), Sofia, Varna and Burgas. The largest number of dwellings is to be started in the districts of Plovdiv, Sofia (capital), Varna, Burgas and Blagoevgrad. During the same period, construction began on 1,783 residential buildings with 9,177 dwellings and 1,163,332 sq m of gross floor area, 6 administrative buildings and offices with 2,999 sq m of gross floor area, and 650 other buildings with 480,067 sq m of gross floor area. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of residential buildings started decreased by 0.8%, but the number of dwellings in them increased by 42.4%, and their gross floor area increased by 32.1%. A decrease was recorded in administrative buildings and their gross floor area - by 33.3% and 58.8%, respectively, while the number of other buildings started decreased by 0.6%, and their gross floor area increased by 14.8%.

The disability pension due to a general illness is the most frequently granted among the new pensions in Bulgaria, according to data from the National Social Security Institute for pensions in the first nine months of 2025. For the period January-September 2025, 80,121 pensions were granted in Bulgaria, of which 8,102 are hereditary, and the remaining 72,019 are personal. Of all the new pensions, those for disability due to a general illness are 37,698, while those for insurance length of service and age lag behind by about 1,300 and are 36,393. Ordinary pensions come out ahead of disability pensions, but remain very close in number - 35,122 for insurance length of service and age versus 31,098 for disability due to a general illness. To this must be added 3,605 new social disability pensions, which are no longer related to work activity. For comparison, the social old-age pensions granted in the first nine months of 2025 are only 856. Compared to the same period in 2024, the newly granted pensions slightly decrease - by several hundred. There is a slight decrease in all types of pensions, with two exceptions. Last year, more people from the "Security" sector retired - 1479 against 1321 for the first nine months of 2024. Social old-age pensions also increased slightly. 36,416 pensioners received their first personal pension in the period January-September 2025. Of these, according to the "classic" texts of the Social Security Code - Art. 68, para. 1 and 2, i.e. with full insurance experience and full age, there are 18,879 pensions. There are fewer people who, due to insufficient service, wait until the age of 67 to retire (Art. 68, para. 3) – 9674 now against 9875 in the first nine months of 2024. However, there is an increase in those who choose to retire up to one year before reaching the age of majority because they have already completed their service – they are 6138 people against 5555 in 2024. These people agree to receive a reduced pension for life due to early retirement. Overall, the number of pensioners continues to increase, with the National Social Insurance Institute (NSSI) in its analyses so far indicating the more favorable conditions for granting disability pensions and a series of decisions to change the scope of service that is considered retirement with insufficient service. At the end of September 2025, there were 2,059,658 pensioners, compared to 2,047,486 at the same time in 2024. Disability pensions were over half a million – 480,620 were disability pensions due to general illness, and 55,700 were social disability pensions. At the end of September, the two types of disability pensions were 536,320, while a year earlier they were over 19,000 fewer (517,072).

The Mayor of Ruse, Pencho Milkov (BSP), has urgently submitted a proposal to the municipal council to purchase the "Tir Parking Ruse" truck parking lot in the city from the private investor - a company associated with Hristoforos Amanatidis-Taki and Razmig Chakaryan-Ami. The seller's offer for what was built only a few years ago on municipal land is 10 million euros, which must come from the state budget. The parking lot was built with a 30-year construction right on municipal land, which was concluded in 2022. Under the contract, the municipality was to receive a total of over 18 million leva, of which 1 million leva immediately and nearly 600 thousand leva in annual installments for 29 years until 2052. After the end of this term, the property remains the property of the state. Instead, the municipality now has to pay 10 million euros and give up about 7.5 million euros in revenue until the end of the contract. An assessment by an independent appraiser has also been attached, which estimates the facility, which includes 114 acres of concrete-covered parking, a 50 sq. m. checkpoint, two 200 sq. m. restrooms, and a 1,300 sq. m. shop and gaming hall complex, at 11.768 million euros. "Tir Parking Ruse", which has since changed ownership and a new manager, offers a price of 10 million euros, with the scheme for forgiving the remaining annual installments practically being preserved. From the subsequent correspondence between the mayor and the Ministry of Finance at the end of January, it becomes clear that in order for the funds to be released, a decision of the municipal council is needed. The owner of "Tir Parking Ruse" at the beginning was "Elshitsa-99", which in turn is owned by Anelia Lazarova. In 2023, companies of the late financier Emil Harsev joined it as partners as a complete copy of the "Capital Andreevo" model. These are "Ostria Diva" (40%) and "Petria Diva" (20%) - part of the "X + Diva" series of companies - ready-made (shelf) companies that Harsev creates in alphabetical order to front projects for his clients. On October 16, 2024, there were transfers of ownership at "Tir Parking Ruse". ELH D, a subsidiary of "Elite Leasing Holding", entered the two companies that own a total of 60% of the company - "Ostria Diva" (40%) and "Petria Diva" (20%). ELH D buys 80% each - in one the agreed price is 52,500 leva, and in the other - 26,500 leva. Or control over the parking lot was transferred for only about 80 thousand leva. This is an amount that is well below the currently discussed 10 million euros. In March 2025, there was another change - "Elshitsa-99" sold its 40% of "Tir Parking Ruse" to a company owned by Turkish citizen Mehmet Seves, who also became the manager of the operator. The number of employees at "Tir Parking Ruse" dropped from 120 at the end of 2024 to 11 in 2025.

Bulgarian software integrator Balkan Services has announced a strategic investment in IT consulting company BizLink. Through this partnership, the company builds on BizLink’s long-standing experience in CRM integrations and expands its capabilities to provide complex integrated solutions for its clients. The deal coincides with the year in which Balkan Services celebrates 20 years since its establishment and is part of the company’s long-term sustainable development strategy. BizLink is an established expert in the field of CRM solutions with over 15 years of experience, 150 successfully implemented projects and a portfolio of more than 50 active clients from various industries. The company has a highly qualified team specialized in the implementation, adaptation and consulting of leading CRM platforms such as Monday.com, SugarCRM, SpiceCRM and Salesforce. The combined ecosystem of Balkan Services and BizLink strengthens the synergy between the two companies and offers an integrated portfolio of services and software solutions with high added value.

Carlsberg Bulgaria officially takes on the role of exclusive distributor of VIDAS branded products on the Bulgarian market. With the integration of VIDAS into the Carlsberg Bulgaria distribution network, the company will provide national coverage in over 3,000 locations, supported by reliable logistics and world-class brand service standards. The Bulgarian brand VIDAS is distinguished by the use of authentic herbs and fruits and responds to the growing demand for beverages made from natural ingredients. Established in 2020, the brand is quickly establishing itself as a recognizable choice in the healthy soft drinks segment thanks to its consistent development, expanding portfolio and innovative technology that preserves the natural properties of herbs and fruits. Carlsberg Bulgaria will work closely with its partners to ensure the seamless integration of VIDAS into the distribution network and maximum value for retailers and consumers.

In the first month of Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone, the turnover of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) increased by more than 2.5 times and amounted to 45,418,558 euros. Compared to December, trading decreased by 31.07 percent. The annual turnover of the BSE for 2025 reached 1.20 billion leva (611 million euros) and increased by 22.62% on an annual basis. This is the largest turnover in the last twelve years. The change in the number of transactions in January 2026 compared to the same period last year is also significant - an increase of 182.95 percent. In the first month, 16,442 purchases and sales were concluded and increased by 131.06% compared to December. The turnover in transactions on the MTF BSE International market in January, where shares of large international companies are traded, amounted to 6,409,374 euros, which is a share of 14.11 percent of the total turnover. The turnover on the Bonds market is again impressive, with debt securities traded for 9,301,817 euros or 20.48 percent in January. Capital gains from transactions and interest income on the BSE VEAM growth market are exempt from taxation under the same conditions as those on the regulated market of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. The decision is in force from 1 January 2026.

The profit of the "Bulgaria Real Estate Fund" REIT for 2025 reached 24.4 million BGN, which is 19.9% ​​more than the profit reported in the previous year in the amount of 20.35 million BGN. The income of the Real Estate Fund for the year reached 61.74 million BGN, which is 134% more than the 26.39 million BGN registered a year earlier. The company's expenses for 2025 amounted to 37.34 million BGN against 6.03 million BGN for the previous year. The total value of assets at the end of the year reached 190.8 million BGN, which is 2.14% more than the value of assets reported in the previous year (186.8 million BGN). The value of equity at the end of 2025 was 156.36 million BGN.

The annual profit of Green Innovation AD before taxes grew by over 98% to 1.67 million BGN, compared to the 847 thousand BGN reported a year earlier. The company's revenue from contracts with customers reached 8.6 million BGN, or 19.4% more than the 7.26 million BGN reported a year ago. The total profit for the period reached 1.5 million BGN. The value of the company's total assets is 16.88 million BGN. Equity reaches 15.4 million BGN, while liabilities are 1.48 million BGN. At the end of January, it became clear that Green Innovation will manufacture and deliver to the Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) an alkaline electrolyzer with an installed capacity of 250 kW. With the equipment, the buyer will expand its research and development activities in the field of renewable energy. The newly built infrastructure will function as a national center for the production, storage and integration of green hydrogen into various energy and industrial processes.

Two leading European payment groups, which develop instant payment solutions, have announced a partnership to facilitate cross-border money transfers between citizens of different countries in the European Union via mobile phones. The initiative will be implemented in stages from this year, reports Agence France-Presse. The private consortia European Payments Initiative (EPI) and the European Payments Alliance (EuroPA) have signed a memorandum of understanding, which officially ends the preparatory phase and launches the practical implementation of the project, EPI said in a statement. The new service, called “cross-border transfer,” is a bank transfer for instant payments and will be widely introduced for individuals in 2026 and for merchants in 2027, both in physical locations and for online payments. “The united coalition already covers 13 European countries and over 130 million potential users,” Daniel Ball, president of the French Banking Federation (FBF) and of Credit Mutuel, wrote on LinkedIn. The initiative remains open to all European countries, including Switzerland and countries outside the eurozone. A European Payments Initiative brings together 16 shareholders, including leading French banks such as BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, BPCE, Credit Mutuel and La Banque postale, as well as a number of German, Belgian and Dutch financial institutions. The organization is developing the Wero payment system, the successor to Paylib in France, which allows instant transfers from account to account via mobile number, QR code or email address. The European Payment Solutions Alliance also offers similar services operating through national platforms – Bancomat in Italy, Bizum in Spain, SIBS MB Way in Portugal, and Vipps MobilePay in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. EPI was originally conceived as a European alternative to American card giants Visa and Mastercard, but the project has faced delays and withdrawals from some participants.

US President Donald Trump will create a strategic reserve of critical raw materials with an initial capital of $12 billion in an effort to protect domestic manufacturers from supply problems and reduce the industry’s dependence on Chinese rare earth metals. The initiative, called Project Vault, will combine $1.67 billion in private capital with a $10 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States to buy and store the metals used by automakers, technology companies and others, Bloomberg reported. Details of the initiative, which would be the first such reserve for the US private sector, were provided by senior administration officials who asked not to be named. The reserve would be similar to the country’s existing emergency oil stockpile. But instead of crude oil, the focus would be on metals – such as gallium and cobalt – used in products such as iPhones, batteries and jet engines. The stockpile is expected to include both rare earths and critical minerals, as well as other strategically important raw materials whose prices are volatile. It represents a major commitment to stockpile metals considered key to the industrial economy — including the automotive, aerospace and energy sectors — and underscores Trump’s efforts to detach U.S. supply chains from China, the world’s dominant supplier and processor of basic industrial metals. More than a dozen companies have so far signed up to the project, including General Motors, Stellantis, Boeing, Corning, GE Vernova and Google. Three commodities trading companies — Hartree Partners, Traxys North America and Mercuria Energy Group — have signed a contract to handle purchases to replenish the stockpile. The Export-Import Bank’s board will vote on the record-breaking 15-year loan, which is more than twice the size of the bank’s next-largest deal ever. The United States already manages a national stockpile of critical metals to serve the nation's defense-industrial base, but has no stockpile for civilian needs. Under the Trump administration, the United States has also taken the rare step of investing directly in domestic metallurgical companies to boost the production and processing of rare earth elements at home.

According to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Central Asian economy grew by about 6.6% in 2025 and is expected to expand by about 6.1% in 2026. This includes data from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Turkmenistan not included due to data limitations. These figures are significantly more optimistic than forecasts for major advanced economies, with the bank projecting US growth of about 1.6% and the euro area growth of about 1.1% in 2026, while China is expected to expand by about 4.6%. Despite strong fundamentals, many households in Central Asia are facing rising prices, high borrowing costs and uneven income growth. Growth across the bloc is accelerating, but unevenly. The Kyrgyz Republic has emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the region, with the EDB forecasting growth of 10.3% in 2025 and 9.3% in 2026. Uzbekistan follows with 7.4% in 2025 and a projected growth of 6.8% in 2026. Kazakhstan’s economy is expected to expand by around 5.9% in 2025 and 5.5% in 2026. The figures would mark the strongest growth in the region in more than a decade. Central Asia’s total population is around 80 million, far smaller than that of the world’s major regions. According to the latest World Bank data, Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita is about $14,154 (€12,107), compared with about $3,162 (€2,704) in Uzbekistan and about $2,420 (€2,070) in the Kyrgyz Republic. By comparison, the United States’ GDP per capita is about $84,534 (€72,313), while China’s is about $13,303 (€11,379). These differences explain why rapid growth in Central Asia has not automatically translated into living standards comparable to those in larger or more developed economies, even as incomes in the region continue to rise. For many households, the gains from faster growth have been eroded by inflation. Last year, price increases outpaced GDP growth in Kazakhstan, with inflation running at about 12.3%. Inflation was around 9.1% in the Kyrgyz Republic and around 7.5% in Uzbekistan. Until then, inflationary pressures have kept interest rates painful. Kazakhstan’s key interest rate hovers around 18%, compared with around 14% in Uzbekistan and 11% in the Kyrgyz Republic. Analysts say some of Central Asia’s recent GDP growth has been supported by the reorientation of trade and logistics flows, particularly in smaller economies. Kyrgyzstan’s strong fundamentals, they say, reflect a reconfiguration of supply chains triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The reorientation of trade, combined with the nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine, which now retains a higher share of the country’s revenues, has strengthened public finances and allowed for higher infrastructure spending. It has also led to a short-term multiplier effect in construction and transport. Meanwhile, EDB data shows that the expansion is largely driven by domestic factors, particularly consumption and investment. Strong domestic demand, rapid credit growth and large infrastructure projects have played a central role. In the region’s larger economies, growth is being driven more by industrial investment. Kazakhstan saw a boost from manufacturing, especially machinery, and the energy sector. The earlier-than-expected start-up of expanded capacity at the Tengiz oilfield was a key factor, which led to an upward revision of the forecast this year. Uzbekistan’s expansion appears to be more broad-based. Fixed capital investment rose 15.2% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, while exports jumped 33.3% in value. Persistently high gold prices played a major role, boosting the country’s export earnings from the precious metal by 70.5%. The World Bank forecasts a sharper slowdown than the Eurasian Development Bank, predicting that regional growth will cool to around 5.0% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027. They point to vulnerabilities related to slower growth among trading partners and continued uncertainty and disruptions in global trade. Analysts warn that the current boom could fizzle out under several scenarios, including a global economic crisis, an end to active hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, or a shift in global demand for hydrocarbons and metals. manager.bg