46,500€

8,800€

57,500€

Info from UK sources

A picturesque small country called Bulgaria has existed for more than 13 centuries in Europe, linking East and West. Bulgaria remembers ancient civilisations and great people that wrote its turbulent history. Situated in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula.

* Full name: Republic of Bulgaria
* Population: 7.6 million (UN, 2007)
* Capital: Sofia
* Area: 110,994 sq km (42,855 sq miles)
* Major language: Bulgarian
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: 1 lev = 100 stotinki
* Main exports: Chemicals and plastics, food and drink, tobacco, machine-building equipment
* GNI per capita: US $4,590 (World Bank, 2007)
* Internet domain: .bg
* International dialling code: +359

Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans, has spectacular mountains and a Black Sea coastline, as well as a history going back to the 7th century.

A predominantly Slavic-speaking, Orthodox country long influenced by Byzantine culture, Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years before gaining its independence in the 19th century.

After World War II the country was a satellite of the Soviet Union until 1991, and is now a member country of the EU and NATO.

The UK’s relationship with Bulgaria goes from strength to strength, both politically and economically. Bilateral trade is excellent and has been growing steadily since 2001.

There is increasing interest from UK companies in Bulgaria and an important and growing business for UK consultants.

Bulgaria joined the EU on 1 January 2007, and the gross total of EU financial assistance for 2007-2013 is €11.113 billion. Priority sectors include:

water - the pending introduction of private-public partnerships in the water sector in Bulgaria will open new opportunities for UK water companies and consultancies;

environmental - including water and waste water infrastructure and transport industries - EU funding is improving roads, railways and airports, with ongoing opportunities for consultancy and equipment; communication - one of the UK’s main exports.