Download Presentation of Assen Dulgerov

CITY OF SOFIA - BULGARIA
EBRD Cities in transition seminar
Bulgaria at a Glance

Population
8,3 million

Area
110,994 sq. km

Language
Bulgarian

Alphabet
Cyrillic

Predominant Religion
Eastern Orthodox

Capital City
Sofia
Bulgaria Essential

Structural reform

Effective negotiations with the EU
on full membership

Political stability

Financial and macroeconomic stability

Substantial economic growth
The City of Sofia
Ever growing, never ageing
OVERVIEW

Capital and largest city in Bulgaria

One of the oldest European Cities

1.2m inhabitants

Dominant position in Bulgaria’s political, economic and cultural life
FAVOURABLE
LOCATION ON
TRADITIONAL
TRADE ROUTE
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CITY ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Municipal
Council:
Legislative Body
Municipal Council
Elects
MAYOR
MUNICIPALITY
Mayor and
Municipality
Administration
Executive Body
Finance
Transportation
Infrastructure
Education
Culture
Religion
Investment
Construction
Ecology
Environment
Healthcare
Social activities
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Population
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIP

Local Government System established in 1991
Central
Government
4 levels of
Responsibilities
Regions
Municipalities
Central Government
Sofia
Police and protection
of the population
Environment protection
Justice
Education (primary and
secondary level)
Higher education
Healthcare
National Healthcare
Public transportation
Electricity production
and distribution
Water supply
Telecommunications
Street lighting
Fire prevention
Social activities
Districts
Heating
Waste collection
Urban planning
Housing
Road maintainance
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Sofia’s Economy: Sustaining Growth
Structure of GDP, Sofia
0.8
Sofia is a
dominant
player in
Bulgaria’s
National
economy.
0.2 13.1
46.9
6.5
12.7
6.7
13.2
agriculture, forestry
mining, raw materials
manufacturing
construction
retail
transport, communications
finance, insurance
other services
8
Sofia’s Urban Structure: Sustainable Future
Sofia has been the capital of
Bulgaria for the last 120
years.
New Master
Plan passing
through the
Parliament
Sofia, as a dominant player in
the national economy, is
attractive
for
people,
businesses and investment.
The city centre has a diverse
profile of cultural
and
archeological monuments
that date back to the
glorious era of the Roman
Empire.
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Significant
Local
Government
involvment in
social
services
provision
Health care – National
insurance scheme
introduced with 1999 health
sector reform; Gradual
privatization of city’s
healthcare facilities
Education – 400 educational
facilities – 82 primary, 99
secondary and high
schools
Social assistance – 9 social
assistance centers; home
services for the elderly and
handycapped
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SOFIA RATING

‘BB’ RATING
WITH STABLE
OUTLOOK
Rating supported by

overall improving Bulgarian environment

good financial performance reflected in high operating
surpluses

improving tax collection

very low debt levels/tight, centrally controlled borrowing
limits

Sofia’s position as the Capital City - 50% of FDI in Bulgaria
goes to Sofia

relatively favourable employment structure

favourable location
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Member of

AIMF

METROPOLIS

ICLEI
TOWARDS
THE EU
MEMBERSHIP

Cooperation with

Vienna

Brussels

Moscow

Berlin

Paris
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INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

ECONOMIC
Sofia main infrastructure projects

Reconstruction of the City’s main thoroughfares and rings

Rehabilitation of the central heating system

Underground railway line development

Solid waste management

Transport project

Development of the airport
DEVELOPMENT
REQUIRES
INVESTMENTS

The proceeds of the Eurobond issues are used for financing the
reconstruction of the City’s main thoroughfares and associated
infrastructure
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