The headquarters of the Bulgarian Customs Agency will be moved to the Danube city of Ruse as part of the decentralization plan of the government.

The news was reported in the Parliament Friday by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, cited by Darik radio.

Djankov, who is the mastermind of the plan, explained to the Members of the Parliament that institutions will be gradually moved from the capital to other cities across the country, initially to those having large universities with wire connections to link these institutions to the central government.

The Minister promised that the move of each particular institution will be carefully examined and planned according to its specifics and the specifics of the respective region.

"For this reason, parts of the Agriculture Ministry and Economy Ministry will go to the second largest city of Plovdiv, because it is the center of a farming and tourist region. Because we now want to develop precisely archeological and SPA tourism. This is why I want the Customs to go to Ruse, because our largest Customs revenues are generated there," the Minister pointed out.

He voiced his belief that the plan would stir heated debates, but also that he stands firm behind the idea, which had proven its efficiency thorough similar practices in other countries.

"The beginning will be difficult, but in the long-term the advantages of this policy will largely exceed any temporary inconvenience," Djankov concluded.