UNMEE, UNMIBH,
UNMIK, UNMOP, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 234–7973 telephone: [1] (202) 387–0174 chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW
embassy: 1 Suborna Street, Sofia 1000
mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740
Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521–5740
telephone: [359] (2) 937–5100
FAX: [359] (2) 981–89-77
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the
national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has
been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat
ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the
dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation
from Nazi control)
Economy Bulgaria
Economy - overview:
Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European
Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth
since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then
socialist government. As a result, the government became committed
to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. A $300 million
stand-by agreement negotiated with the IMF at the end of 2001 has
supported government efforts to overcome high rates of poverty and
unemployment.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $49.23 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.7% industry: 28.5% services: 57.9% (2001)
Population below poverty line: 12.6% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.4 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
3.83 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 26%, industry 31%, services 43% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate:
18% (2002 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $5.57 billion
expenditures: $5.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001 est.)
Industries:
electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery
and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined
petroleum, nuclear fuel
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:
41.38 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 44.1%
Electricity - consumption:
32.52 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
6.79 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
830 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
603 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
NA (2001)
Oil - imports:
NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:
8.1 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:
4 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.724 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets
Exports:
$5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:
clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels
Exports - partners:
Italy 15.5%, Germany 9.6%, Turkey 9.4%, Greece 9.2%, France 5.3%,
US 4.8% (2002)
Imports:
$6.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:
fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals
and ores; chemicals and plastics; food, textiles
Imports - partners:
Russia 14.6%, Germany 14.4%, Italy 11.4%, Greece 6.1%, France 5.7%,
Turkey 5% (2002)
Debt - external:
$10.3 billion (yearend 2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
$300 million (2000 est.)
Currency:
lev (BGL)
Currency code:
BGN
Exchange rates:
leva per US dollar - 2.08 (2002), 2.18 (2001), 2.12 (2000), 1.84
(1999), 1.76 (1998)
note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July
1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Bulgaria
Telephones - main lines in use:
3,186,731 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.054 million (2001)
Telephone system:
general assessment: extensive but antiquated
domestic: more