Finally, the statistics confirm the expectations that within the pandemic year 2020 there will be a decrease in both exports and imports in Bulgaria. Total goods for BGN 114.90 billion traded with EU and non-EU countries. And trade decreased by 7.68 percent. Between January and December, the companies did not export goods worth BGN 54.78 billion, which is 6.3% less than in 2019. Compared to the monthly data for the previous year with the data for the respective month of 2019, the largest growth was observed in the previous year in December (+ 6.9%), and the largest drop was registered in May (-19, 2%). Imported goods (at CIF prices) last year amounted to BGN 60.13 billion, a decrease of 8.9% on an annual basis. 

Bulgaria ranks second in the European Union (EU) in terms of growth in total labor costs per hour in the second quarter of 2021, according to data from the European statistical office Eurostat. Hourly total labor costs in Bulgaria increased by 6.7% for the period April-June. Cyprus ranks first in this indicator with a 14.3% increase. Romania shares second place with Bulgaria with 6.7%, followed by Sweden with 6.4%. On average for the EU, the increase in hourly labor costs reaches 0.6%, while in the euro area is a decrease of 0.1%. Of the two components in hourly labor costs, wage costs in Bulgaria increased by 7.2% in the second quarter, and other costs (insurance, leave, benefits, sick leave, etc.) - by 4.3%. The country is third in the EU in terms of growth in hourly wage costs. First is Cyprus with 13.8%, in second place is Poland with 7.9%. On average for the EU, the increase in hourly wage costs was 0.2% for the period, while in the euro area there was a decrease of 0.4%.

The new factory, which the manufacturer of electronic medical equipment BTL Industries is building in Plovdiv, will include various energy solutions. In addition to solar panels on the roof of the production area, which will cover a large part of its own electricity consumption, the company will also use the installed water tanks for fires as heat accumulators. The project also envisages fully autonomous and automated outdoor lighting, as well as special systems for fresh air supply, through which the efficiency of heat exchange is achieved. The construction is expected to be completed in early 2023, and the investment is about BGN 20 million.

The financial condition of the state enterprise Irrigation Systems is critical - the amount of the company's liabilities is twice as large as the receivables, serious water losses are allowed due to lack of modernization of the measuring devices. This was stated by the audit of the National Audit Office for the period from January 2018 to December 31, 2019, published on Wednesday. For 2018 the money due is BGN 38.4 million, and for 2019 - BGN 37.8 million. The liabilities are mainly to suppliers, related parties under the general control of the Ministry of Agriculture, but there is also a long-term bank loan and overdraft, unpaid fees for water use to basin directorates, etc. The receivables are BGN 18.9 million for 2018 and nearly BGN 20.8 million for 2019. The lack of more modern measuring devices leads to serious water losses, and hence to a deterioration of the financial condition of Irrigation systems, the report said.

Port Bimas has stated to the Commission for Protection of Competition its intention to perform a concentration through concession rights for construction and subsequent operation of the Port Terminal with Zimovnik-Ruse, part of the Port of Public Transport Ruse. At the heart of this project is the existing undeveloped port of the former Bimas chemical plant. The subsidiary of Bulgarian River Shipping has concluded a concession agreement with the Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications for awarding a concession for the construction of this site. The concession is for 35 years and the facilities must be ready within five years. The commercial activities of these companies will be the provision of port services within the meaning of the Law on Maritime Areas, Inland Waterways and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria. Port Bimas operates as a port operator, provides port services, freight forwarding, merchant shipping by river, sea and related inland waterways and other similar activities.

The Municipal Council of Bobov Dol has given permission this week for the route of the project of TPP Bobov Dol to connect to the national gas infrastructure to pass through municipal terrains. "At this stage, it is only a matter of passing natural gas to the burners, thanks to which we will stop using fuel oil when melting each of our boilers. The next stage will be the introduction of natural gas as an additional fuel for energy production. The transition to ecological energy sources is the only way to preserve the jobs of the thousands of locals, thanks to the operation of TPP Bobov Dol. The implementation of investments for the change of the main fuel will contribute to the improvement of the air quality in the area of ​​the plant. TPP Bobov Dol has requested prior consent from the municipal council for the development of a detailed development plan and a plot plan for the construction of a gas connection and a gas distribution station. The company has also requested the establishment of a real right of construction and easement, planning to build the necessary facilities at their expense. The plant wants to create an automatic gas control station on a plot of land with 3135 square meters.

The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a joint communication on an EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The joint communication contains specific actions for strengthening the strategic interaction with the region, as assigned by the Council on April 19, 2021, the EC announced. The EU and the Indo-Pacific region are closely linked. They have many common interests and strong links in various fields, from trade and investment to research and innovation, as well as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity conservation and security. The EU is stepping up its strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. Its growing economic, demographic and political weight makes it a key player in shaping the rules of international order and tackling global challenges. The EU aims to contribute to the stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development of the region in accordance with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law.

The US multinational corporation PepsiCo, a manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks and food products, will reduce the use of pure plastic and expand its SodaStream carbonated water business. Its goal is to reach more markets amid growing calls to combat climate change, Reuters reports. As part of a new initiative called ‘рep+’ the company aims to halve the use of new plastics in all its brands by 2030 and to use 50% recycled content in all its plastic packaging. The company also plans to focus on offering healthier foods by introducing plant-based protein snacks in partnership with Beyond Meat Inc. Pepsi's actions come at a time when, along with its rival Coca-Cola, they have become targets for green activists, given the large amounts of disposable plastic they use. The two companies have been on the NGO Free Break From Plastic's list of ‘Biggest Global Pollutants’ for the past three years.

Ford Motor Co. dealers in India face potential legal action from customers after the U.S. auto giant decided to shut its factories in the country. Dealers will likely face “legal complications” given that Indian consumer law makes them liable after a manufacturer exits, Vinkesh Gulati, president of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, said. “We expect Ford to give some compensation to dealers and plan something in future so that dealers aren’t in a legal strangle against customers in consumer court cases for their service responsibility,” Gulati said. Read more: Ford Will Cease Making Cars in India, Take $2 Billion Charge Dealers invested about 20 billion rupees ($272 million) building Ford dealerships in India, which employ about 40,000 people, he said. Separately, Gulati said the auto industry is losing 20% to 30% of potential sales each month because the global semiconductor shortage has led to long waiting periods for cars. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Thar SUV has a waiting period of 12 months, while there’s a six-month wait for Hyundai Motor India Ltd.’s Creta SUV.