Transport costs push inflation higher

Inflation in Bulgaria accelerated again in August after three months of decline, with transport costs being the main source of pressure, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov told NOVA TV. Food prices have declined, but he said regulatory oversight should be strengthened.

• Eurostat: Bulgaria’s inflation rises to 5.1%, third highest in eurozone

Atanas Pekanov criticized the tourism sector, where prices recorded some of the largest increases in July and August. He said the decisions to raise prices were made by Bulgarian businesses, including hoteliers and restaurateurs.

“I don’t think it is normal to sit down at a restaurant in Vienna and in Sofia and find the prices relatively similar despite a very different standard of living”, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov said. "The sector is putting its overall performance at long-term risk", Atanas Pekanov added.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov