Bulgarian Financial Investment Agency (BFIA) was established in April 1995, aimed at helping both individuals and businesses invest in the then up-and-coming European country of Bulgaria. For a decade and more, our mission was to work with potential investors in Bulgaria to help them assess business opportunites and turn them into success stories for their business and our country. We had access to Bulgarian government institutions at all levels and facilitate relationships between government and businesses.

Bulgaria was experiencing a period of strong economic growth which, at 4.3% in 2003, lead most economies in Europe. Being already a NATO member, in June 2004 Bulgaria managed to close all EU accession chapters. After joining the EU in 2007, we offered many opportunities for investment at a substantial discount to other emerging Europe countries.

There are many other reasons to invest and to do business in Bulgaria. The country offers a strategic location with inexpensive and direct access to the markets of Europe and Middle East, low cost manufacturing, highly educated labour force at Europe's lowest wage levels and a strongly business-minded government. Bulgaria has among the lowest corporate tax rates and easiest business start-up procedures in Europe.

Investments in technology, industrial manufacturing, leisure and real estate have led the country's growth. We invite you to come and visit us in Sofia. I believe you will encounter business opportunities you would not have expected. Entities, investing in regions with a high unemployment, exceeding 50% the average for the country for the previous two years (these regions are listed annually in an appendix to CITA), enjoy a reduction of the corporate income tax (not the municipal tax) provided that the investment is in the form of acquisition, modernisation or reconstruction of tangible fixed assets such as buildings, equipment, transmitters, electricity transmitters, and telecommunication lines as well as machines, production facilities, cars, computers and software.

At BFIA we have now turned our attention to providing both news and advice about investments, financial advice, and help with personal finance matters, and are doing this by sharing the latest news from the markets.