Foreign Direct Investment Grows in Q3 2017

Foreign investments in Bulgaria increased by 38.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017

They totaled EUR 293.3 million for the period July -September, according to BNB data. Together with the previous two quarters, the total amount of foreign investments in Bulgaria reached EUR 744.2 million.

Most investments in the country came from the Netherlands and the sector with the largest share of foreign investments was the manufacturing industry, with just over EUR 330 million for the period January – September 2017. This was three times more for this sector, compared to the corresponding nine-month period in 2016. The trade sector also recorded an increase in terms of foreign investment (EUR 251.3 million, compared to EUR 236.4 million). In addition, real estate operations also reported growth. A drop was registered in the Hotels and Restaurants and Mining sectors.

Debt instruments again contributed the most to the amount of investments. Reinvested earnings and equity had low but positive values.