site.btaPresident Radev Calls on Cabinet to Deal Urgently with Bread Production Problems

President Rumen Radev Friday called on the government to deal urgently with bread production problems. He talked to reporters after visiting the Dobrich-based Dobrudzhanski Hlyab bread and bakery maker where he talked with the management. The President commented that he was not happy to hear from the management of Bulgaria's first privately owned bread manufacturer and leading innovator that its future depends on liquidity loans in these hard times.

Radev said urgent measures were needed, though not all of them have to do with direct financial support. There is more to it than money, such as how to tighten control and fight the grey economy more effectively. The debate and decisions on differentiated VAT rates have been put off too long. Adding that it was the government's responsibility and commitment to make such decisions, he urged the cabinet and Parliament to listen to bread makers. "A differentiated 9 per cent VAT rate on bread alone would be a strategic move which could help fight the grey economy effectively," the President said. It is crucial that the cabinet conduct good dialogue with the large chain stores so as to protect Bulgarian producers, he added.

"We Bulgarians do not view bread simply as a commodity, it is deeply linked to our values and traditions. What we do about the price of bread is an indicator of how we are coping with the economic and energy crisis in general," said Radev. RY/DD