site.btaCaretaker Finance Minister Velkova Meets with World Bank Delegation

The World Bank’s partnership with Bulgaria and the priorities for future interaction were central to the discussion between Finance Minister Rositza Velkova and a delegation headed by Gallina A. Vincelette, the World Bank’s Country Director for the European Union (EU) and Lasse Melgaard. Resident Representative for Bulgaria, Czechia, and Slovakia, Velkova's Ministry said in a press release Wednesday.

The meeting marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of the World Bank office in Bulgaria. Velkova stressed that over the past three decades the institution has proven to be a reliable partner of Bulgarian governments in implementing key reforms and realizing our national priorities. She also briefed the international experts on the implementation of the budget so far and the Ministry of Finance's macroeconomic forecast for 2023.

 In the course of the meeting, Velkova expressed confidence that the World Bank's global unit in Sofia will play an important role in both the efficient administration of the Bank's operations and positively impact the economic environment and the recognition of Bulgaria as a good investment destination. She also pointed out that the Shared Services Centre, which opened in 2019 in the capital, already has nearly 180 employees and plans to expand further.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the World Bank office in Sofia, Velkova presented Gallina Vinselette with a facsimile of an article reporting the opening of the Bank's office in Sofia in 1992.