Hristo Grigorov, Chair of the Bulgarian Red Cross, has called for legal amendments to allow for the establishment of so-called social/solidarity stores where low-income people can buy clothes and food products at affordable prices.

In a Wednesday interview for the Focus news agency, Grigorov said he had already discussed the idea for the establishment of social stores for people with incomes close to the poverty line with caretaker Prime Minister Marin Raykov.

Grigorov stated that the idea could only be implemented after the adoption of changes to the existing legal regime.

He suggested that a very important measure to encourage donations was to abolish the 20% VAT rate levied on them.

Grigorov made clear that the elimination of the 20% VAT levied on donated items had been repeatedly discussed with former Finance Minister Simeon Djankov but he had not agreed to change the regime, fearing that the measure would result in an increase in unfair practices.

"If the legal obstacles are removed, the idea of the caretaker Prime Minister to open such social shops will be implemented with the full support of the BRC" Grigorov stated.

He noted that Raykov's rich experience as Bulgarian Ambassador abroad provided him with a number of interesting ideas in the sphere of social assistance.

Grigorov emphasized that the idea to open social stores could only be implemented with the joint efforts of the NGO sector, businesses, and society and the support of district governors and municipalities.