EBRD Cities in transition seminar

CITY OF SOFIA - BULGARIA

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

Ever growing, never ageing

The City of Sofia

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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

Finance

InvestmentConstruction

EcologyEnvironment

HealthcareSocial activities

TransportationInfrastructure

EducationCultureReligion

MUNICIPALITY

MAYOR

Municipal Council

Population

Elects

Municipal Council: Legislative Body

Mayor and Municipality AdministrationExecutive Body

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INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIP

Local Government System established in 1991

4 levels of Responsibilities

Central Government

Regions

Municipalities

Districts

Environment protection

Education (primary and secondary level)

Healthcare

Public transportation

Water supply

Heating

Street lighting

Social activities

Waste collection

Urban planning

Housing

Road maintainance

Police and protection of the population

Justice

Higher education

National Healthcare

Electricity production and distribution

Telecommunications

Fire prevention

Central Government Sofia

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Sofia’s Economy: Sustaining Growth

Sofia is a dominant player inBulgaria’s Nationaleconomy.

Structure of GDP, Sofia

13.1

6.5

12.7

13.26.7

46.9

0.8

0.2

agriculture, forestry mining, raw materials manufacturing

construction retail transport, communications

finance, insurance other services

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Sofia’s Urban Structure: Sustainable Future

Sofia has been the capital of Bulgaria for the last 120 years.

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.

New Master Plan passing through the Parliament

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SOCIAL SERVICES

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

Significant Local Government involvment in social services provision

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SOFIA RATING

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

‘BB’ RATING WITH STABLE

OUTLOOK

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Member of AIMF

METROPOLIS

ICLEI

Cooperation with Vienna

Brussels

Moscow

Berlin

Paris

TOWARDS

THE EU

MEMBERSHIP

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INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

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

The proceeds of the Eurobond issues are used for financing the reconstruction of the City’s main thoroughfares and associated infrastructure ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

REQUIRES

INVESTMENTS

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