Bulgaria's National Electricity Transmission Company plans to launch a USD 150 M bond issue on international financial markets, Deputy Energy Minister Ilko Yotsev announced.

Following Navigation Maritime Bulgare‘s EUR 75 M issue, this is to be the second biggest bond issue by a Bulgarian company.

Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and Credit Swisse First Boston have already expressed interest in the bond issue.

The company now boasts 46 percent of electricity exports in South-eastern Europe, Bulgaria's Energy Ministry said. It currently supplies Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro. With new contracts taking effect, the company will see its export share leap to 65 percent starting July 1.

The other exporters on the Balkans are Romania (28 percent) and Serbia (22 percent).

Thanks to the new contracts, the company has managed to overcome a temporary decline in May. Currently the exports match last year's figures in spite of the abrupt end that Turkey put to an energy contract with Bulgaria.