Bureaucracy Top Problem for Bulgarian Companies in 2012

Inefficient administrative services were the biggest problem for businesses in Bulgaria in 2012, according to a survey of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

The poll was conducted among 100 member companies of the BCCI in a bid to evaluate the business and investment climate in Bulgaria in 2012.

Poor administration was the top problem for 80% of the respondents, followed by legal changes cited by 76% of the respondents.

Most of the companies complained about corruption in public institutions and competition from companies operating in the grey economy.

Despite the growing unemployment in Bulgaria, companies cited finding good staff as the third biggest problem.

Over 64% of the companies complained about difficulties in finding employees with appropriate qualifications.

BCCI members reported deterioration in three spheres – fees paid by businesses (65%), legal environment and regulations (25%), and energy (48%).

Percentages exceed 100% because the participants in the survey gave more than one answer.

A majority of BCCI member companies (59%) reported improvement in only one sphere, infrastructure.

Participants in the survey also reported progress in the macroeconomic and fiscal stability of the country (18%) and the work of the revenue administration (14%).