BGN 2448 per month is required for a normal life of a four-member household - two adults and two children. This is indicated by data from the CITUB Institute for Social and Trade Union Studies at the end of the second quarter of the year. The cost of living per person in a four-member household is BGN 612.15. The money is needed to cover the cost of food, housing, health care, education, transportation and recreation against the average Bulgarian standards for a four-member household. The total increase in cost of living compared to the previous quarter was BGN 6, and compared to June last year – by BGN 87. To cover the total amount of the necessary means of subsistence (BGN 2448), the net salary of the two adults must be not less than BGN 1 224 for each of them, provided that both adults are employed and salary is the only source of income.

The Ministry of Finance reports that that by the end of June this year Bulgaria's fiscal reserve was EUR 5.98 billion. Compared to the same month of the previous year, it marked a rise of EUR 460 million. The state budget currently has a surplus of EUR 1.64 billion and experts predict that it will increase more in July. In June this year the budget was updated twice, with the second change prompted by the decision for purchasing F-16 jets.

The Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Agency does not consider that any violations of the privatization clauses of Bulgartabac Holding have been breached. According to the privatization contract, the holding's factories must retain their business activity until 2021, otherwise they owe a penalty in the amount of the purchase amount of EUR 100 million. The Sofia-based factory closed in 2016 and its grounds were cleared of buildings to serve as new construction. In 2017, Bulgartabac sold its cigarettes to world leader Britsih American Tobacco, and until last year, these brands were under contract in Blagoevgrad. The factory closed there earlier this year, and Bulgartabac Holding itself even changed its name three months ago, and currently it has nothing to do with cigarettes. The original buyer BT Invest is no longer involved in the holding. In response to a request from Capital, the Privatization Agency replied that "cross-checks were carried out and information was also requested from other institutions confirming that the company was engaged in production activities and therefore no on-site verification was required".

Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD successfully made the third interest payment on its second Eurobond issue on 2 August 2016, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (Euronext Dublin), with a nominal value of EUR 550 million, an annual interest rate of 4,875% and maturity for 5 years. The interest payment amounted to BGN 52.441 million (EUR 26.813 million). In October 2018, BEH increased its third Eurobond issue, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, by another EUR 50 million. Thus, BEH's bonds, which unites state-owned energy companies, came to EUR 600 million at an annual interest rate of 3.5% and a maturity of 7 years. The total liabilities of the holding company for bond loans exceeded BGN 3 billion. Another $ 2 billion is owed to some of the energy companies that BEH brings together to which it has lent interest-free loans.

The obligations of Toplofikatsia Sofia to Bulgargaz are currently BGN 113 million, but in the coming days it will increase to BGN 127 million. The reason is the forthcoming accrual of the amounts for another gas supply, explained the executive director of the district heating company Kremen Georgiev. "Neither I am pleased, nor Bulgargaz itself, of course, but I would like to point out that the debt has not been increased during this period, it even slightly decreased," he said. Toplofikatsia Sofia appeals the decision of the energy regulator on electricity prices, which the company produces in a highly efficient way. "In the price statement we submitted, the price of thermal energy is approximately what was finally confirmed by the EWRC. As far a the price of electricity is concerned, the price statement was BGN 255, and at present we are given a price of BGN 200," Kremen Georgiev said.

Bulgarian real estate investment trust Bulland Investments REIT said that it has placed a BGN 9.08 million bond issue on July 16. The issue comprises 9,080 bonds, Bulland Investments REIT said in a bourse filing. The 10-year issue carries a fixed annual coupon of 4.75% with payments due semi-annually. Bulland Investments REIT will seek to list the bonds on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange within 6 months of its issuance.

Bulgarian confectionery producer Zaharni Zavodi said that its non-consolidated net profit edged down to BGN 447,000 in the first half of 2019 from BGN 529,000 in the same period of 2018. Zaharni Zavodi's revenue fell to BGN 31.7 million in the first six months of the year from BGN 33.6 million in the comparable period of 2018. The company's expenses decreased to BGN 31.2 million in the review period from BGN 33.1 million the year before. Zaharni Zavodi's assets fell to BGN 79.6 million at the end of June, compared to BGN 85.0 million a year earlier. Current liabilities continued to heavily outweigh current assets - BGN 38.9 million versus BGN 17.5 million. Current liabilities were mostly formed by obligations on loans from financial institutions and current payables, while current assets were mostly composed of inventory. Earlier this year, Zaharni Zavodi said it is launching a new BGN 11.2 million ethanol production installation, which will increase the company's output to 60,000 litres per day. The installation will also allow Zaharni Zavodi to produce dehydrated alcohol for industrial purposes. Zaharni Zavodi operates several other production facilities, including a sugar refinery and a confectionery plant.

UK government announced an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a no-deal Brexit - doubling the amount of money it has set aside this year. The plans include more border force officers and upgrades to transport infrastructure at ports. There will also be more money to ease traffic congestion in Kent and tackle queues created by delays at the border. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the plans as "an appalling waste of taxpayers' cash". The package also includes money for stockpiling medicines to ensure continued supplies and a national programme to help businesses. "With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it's vital that we intensify our planning to ensure we are ready," said Chancellor Sajid Javid, announcing the move. "We want to get a good deal that abolishes the anti-democratic backstop. But if we can't get a good deal, we'll have to leave without one. "This additional £2.1bn will ensure we are ready to leave on 31 October - deal or no-deal."

Brazil has begun negotiating a trade agreement with the United States, the South American country’s economy minister said, kicking off knotty talks between longstanding competitors whose leaders want closer commercial ties. Speaking in Brasilia after meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said the United States was eager for a deal and the chance to sell Latin America’s largest economy more goods, including ethanol. Brazil and the United States compete in key areas like agriculture, making it likely the trade talks will be fraught and long-lasting. Brazil is also part of South America’s Mercosur customs union, which would have to be involved in any tariff reductions. Yet far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, along with Guedes and his team, have pledged to bring down trade barriers, open up the economy and make Brazilian business more competitive. After meeting with Ross, Bolsonaro echoed his concerns over potential “pitfalls” in a trade deal recently struck between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc that includes Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

China stepped up pressure on Taiwan as it announced the suspension of individual travel permits to the self-ruled democratic island "due to current cross-strait relations". Relations between Communist-ruled Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognise the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China". As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and ratcheted up economic pressure on the island. The latest move comes as Taiwan prepares to hold a presidential election in January, with Beijing-friendly candidate Han Kuo-yu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party hoping to defeat Tsai. A programme had allowed Chinese citizens in 47 mainland cities to apply for permits to visit Taiwan on their own instead of visiting on group tours. But the tourism ministry said in a brief statement that their issuance would be suspended from Thursday "due to current cross-strait relations" -- a move that could hurt the island's economy. The statement did not mention any restrictions on group tours.