Bulgaria Expects Boost in Winter Tourism with Increased Foreign Visitors
Bulgaria is expecting a boost in winter tourism this year, with about 3.1 million foreign visitors projected between December and March
Gold is experiencing a historic surge, reaching a record high of 2,792 dollars per troy ounce in real terms, and showing strong gains in Bulgaria as well. Tavex Bulgaria reported that gold sales in October 2024 rose by 78% compared to October 2023. Additionally, sales volume saw a substantial increase of 64% from September to October of this year. Notably, these figures reflect quantity rather than the significant rise in gold prices, highlighting an even larger financial impact.
Max Baklayan of Tavex described this period as unprecedented in both price and demand, noting that such growth is remarkable not just in Bulgaria’s 15-year organized gold market, but globally since the 1970s. After nearly a 40% increase in the annual price of gold, investors are now speculating on the longevity and extent of this bullish trend.
Baklayan anticipates that gold prices could reach between 2,700 and 4,000 dollars per troy ounce over the next five to ten years—a potential 48% increase. He considers this prediction conservative, given that gold prices have already risen over 260% in the last 15 years.
Investment fund Incrementum has recently echoed a bullish forecast, expecting the price of gold to accelerate from its previous four-year stability around 2,000 dollars. They project a 75% increase by the end of the decade, reaching around 4,821 dollars per troy ounce by 2030.
Baklayan believes the macroeconomic and political landscape will support gold’s upward trend over the next decade. However, he also warns that price corrections are likely, and stresses the importance of understanding gold as a stable investment, likening it to "real money" essential for long-term wealth preservation.
The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed 10% tax on banks' excess profits, citing concerns that it would destabilize the financial sector
Economist Rumen Galabinov has stated that Bulgaria's potential future membership in the Eurozone could significantly benefit the country's economy
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Bulgaria in the third quarter of 2024 grew by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2023
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has projected that Bulgaria will join the eurozone in 2026
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Bulgaria's Acting Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the payment of a 100 leva (50 euros) Christmas supplement to pensioners
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