Bulgaria

A collection of 148 posts

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Romania and Poland recorded the smallest gender pay gaps in 2023, at 3.6% and 4.5% respectively — both well below the EU average

Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump

Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump

As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal governance. The region remains split between pro-European integration and nationalist, often pro-Kremlin, forces: Czechia and Poland reinforce their commitments to Ukraine, while Hungary and Slovakia align with Moscow. Meanwhile,

CEE to get four AI factories under EU initiative

CEE to get four AI factories under EU initiative

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set to play a key role in the EU’s push to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence under the new funding initiative Invest AI. European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan at the AI Action Summit

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South Korean government officials announced on 9 March. The proposed agreement could be finalised as soon as next month and follows Poland’s earlier USD 12.4bn deal

Pro-Russian protestors set fire to EU office in Sofia, as Bulgaria nears eurozone

Pro-Russian protestors set fire to EU office in Sofia, as Bulgaria nears eurozone

As Bulgaria edges closer to the Eurozone, some 1,000 protestors gathered outside the National Bank headquarters waving banners and placards proclaiming “No to the euro” and “Yes to the Bulgarian lev” in a demonstration organised by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane (Revival) Party on Saturday, 22 February. The demonstrators later proceeded

German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 - KPMG report finds

German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 - KPMG report finds

German companies are considering ramping up investments in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with 55% expecting the region’s economic significance to grow in the next 5 years, according to the “German CEE Business Outlook 2025” report by auditor KPMG. The survey analysed the economic prospects and business strategies of

EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US

EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US

The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship “Competitiveness Compass” initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The initiative is designed to serve as a strategic roadmap to foster innovation in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum tech and biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as a hub for innovation and growth with the achievements of its fastest-growing technology companies, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2024 report. The global auditor’s annual report, now in its 25th year, ranks the 50 fastest-growing public or

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

Hungarian banking group OTP’s subsidiaries in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia were ranked as the best banks in their respective countries at the Bank of the Year 2024 Awards organised by The Banker magazine. The UK-based outlet, part of the Financial Times Group, said it chose the winning banks

RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator - T&E report

RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator - T&E report

Czechia’s RegioJet is the top-performing rail operator in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for cost and quality, according to the latest report of the European Federation for Transport and Environment, or Transport & Environment (T&E). In the report T&E, an umbrella organisation for green and

Bulgaria, Romania to join Schengen free travel area

Bulgaria, Romania to join Schengen free travel area

Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen Area on 1 January, a significant milestone in their integration into the borderless zone. This represents the destination of a journey that began in 2011 when the European Commission (EC) first adjudged both countries as ready to join,

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Digital news consumption in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is transforming, driven by evolving audience habits, technology adoption, and growing mistrust in traditional media, according to Reuters Digital News Report 2024. Internet penetration and smartphone usage have enabled a rapid shift online, but challenges related to declining trust in news

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook December 2024 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and weakened demand from key European markets, most notably Germany, are affecting industrial

Romania voids Russia-linked presidential ballot

Romania voids Russia-linked presidential ballot

Romania’s Constitutional Court (CCR) annulled the country’s presidential election on Friday, 6 December after the emergence of evidence of Russian interference in the lead-up to the first-round vote late last month. Pro-Russian ultranationalist candidate and political newcomer Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round of voting on 24