Bulgaria Among EU Leaders in Female Representation in Science and Engineering
In 2023, the number of female scientists and engineers in the European Union reached 7.7 million
Bulgaria still has a chance to join the Eurozone next year, according to Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. In her first television interview since the start of her second term, Georgieva told BNT that the country needs to address inflation by the end of the year, which remains the only unmet criterion for adopting the euro.
At the IMF, Georgieva emphasized, there is confidence that Bulgaria's opportunity to enter the Eurozone by 2025 still exists. The key challenge is reducing inflation. She also highlighted the importance of effective communication with European institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the plan to adopt the single European currency.
Georgieva stressed the benefits of Eurozone membership, especially in a world increasingly prone to shocks. Having the additional protection of the Eurozone, she explained, is in the best interest of Bulgarian citizens.
The IMF forecasts slow growth for the global economy and warns that Europe may lag behind technologically. The continent, she said, should prioritize reforms to support rapid digitization and the modernization of its financial systems, which remain conservative. Structural reforms that promote dynamic growth are essential for both developed and developing nations.
Georgieva also addressed criticism she faced at the end of her first term, particularly regarding the IMF’s evaluation of Russia's economy. She clarified that the fund has no active mission in Russia but has a responsibility to assess the economic situation in all member states.
She assured that the IMF has no intention of contributing to the escalation of the conflict. Additionally, she confirmed that the IMF will continue to provide financial support to Ukraine, with the program for Kyiv reaching 16 billion dollars.
Parvomay Municipality in Bulgaria has become one of the first to prepare for the country’s euro adoption
Professor Steve Hanke, who established Bulgaria’s currency board, emphasized that the country should maintain the current system, as it continues to work effectively
Bulgaria has the lowest minimum wage among the European Union member states as of January 2025, standing at 551 euros
Since being created as a joke cryptocurrency , Dogecoin has become a popular cryptocurrency with an active community of developers, traders, and investors.
Economists have urged Bulgaria’s leadership to submit an application to the European Commission and the European Central Bank for an extraordinary convergence report on joining the eurozone
Representatives of Bulgaria’s ruling coalition have once again highlighted a significant deficit in the state budget, with Stanislav Balabanov from "There Is Such a People" (TISP) stating that 2025 will be a transitional year regarding the eurozone
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