Press releases

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the first quarter of 2017 the number of newly built residential buildings was 462 and the newly built dwellings in them were 1 751. Compared to the first quarter of 2016 the buildings were by 79 or 14.6% less and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 559 or by 24.2.%. 

In the period January - March 2017 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 20.1% compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to 4 243.3 Million BGN while the imports grew by 41.8% and added up to 5 158.3 Million BGN.

In the period January - March 2017 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 12 161.3 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports increased by 14.8% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 13 927.7 Million BGN and grew by 21.0%.

In the period January - February 2017 the Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 9.0% compared to the same period of 2016 and amounted to 4 957.2 Million BGN while the imports grew by 12.2% and added up to 5 461.2 Million BGN.

In February 2017 the exports to the EU increased by 10.7% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and added up to 2 531.2 Million BGN while the imports grew by 8.4% and amounted to 2 820.1 Million BGN.

According to the preliminary data, in March 2017 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 1.7% above the level of the previous month. In March 2017 the working day adjusted index of production in construction increased by 5.6% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in March 2017 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.8% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.8% in March 2017 as compared to February 2017. In March 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 5.9% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

In April 2017 the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 1.6 percentage points compared to its level 3 months ago which is due entirely to the decreased confidence among the urban population.

In the first quarter of 2017, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 093 residential buildings with 4 692 dwellings, of 29 administrative buildings/offices and 1 141 other buildings. The construction of 639 residential buildings with 3 218 dwellings, of 16 administrative buildings/offices and 460 other buildings was started.

In February 2017 compared to January 2017 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels by 4.4%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of liquefied petroleum gases - by 10.0%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 8.5%, transport diesel - by 6.3%, natural gas - by 8.3% and electricity - by 13.8%.

In February 2017 compared to January 2017 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 3.0% and transport diesel - by 13.9%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 13.2%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 21.1%, natural gas - by 22.6% and electricity - by 18.0%. 

In March 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 437.6 thousand or by 23.4% above the registered in March 2016. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in March 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.5%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 30.5%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 25.0%. 

In March 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 474.5 thousand or by 20.1% more in comparison with March 2016. An increase was registered in the trips by all observed purposes: with professional purpose - by 32.0%, with holiday and recreation purpose - by 24.3%, and with other purposes - by 11.0%.