Binational Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria Israel

Why to Invest in Bulgaria (2)

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, NATO and WTO
The stability of the currency is supported by the currency board, pegging the Bulgarian lev to the euro at the level of 1.96
Bulgaria has one of the lowest government debts in the European Union (18.9 % of GDP) and one of the lowest budget deficits (-1.5%) as of 2013

Bulgaria has the most favourable tax regime in Europe. Corporate income tax rate is 10%, the lowest in the EU. Personal income tax is 10 %, flat rate. Industries in high-unemployment areas are granted 0% tax rate
There is a 2-year VAT exemption for imports of equipment for investment projects over €5 million, creating at least 50 jobs
Depreciation time for computers and new manufacturing equipment is 2 years
5% withholding tax on dividends and liquidation quotas (0% for EU tax residents)
Bulgaria has one of the most competitive costs of labor in Central and Eastern Europe
Favorable office rents and low cost of utilities. Bulgarian cost of electricity for industrial users is 70% of the European average

Located at the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria is a strategic logistics hub. Ease of transportation of cargo is provided by

Five Pan-European corridors ( IV, VII, VII, XI, X), which pass through the country
Transport program TRACECA, which connects Europe with Caucasian and Central Asian region
Four major airports: Sofia, Plovdiv, Bourgas and Varna
Two main seaports: Varna and Bourgas
Numerous ports at the Danube River

Due to its location Bulgaria provides direct access to the following key markets:

Work force is well educated, highly skilled and multilingual
62.2 % of the total population is in working age (appr. 4.6 million)
60 000 students annually graduate from 51 universities
98% of the high school students study a foreign language (usually English) and 73% study a second language (mainly German, French, Spanish, Russian)
94% of the schools have Internet access