EBRD Cities in transition seminar CITY OF SOFIA - BULGARIA

Bulgaria at a Glance  Population8,3 million  Area110,994 sq. km  LanguageBulgarian  AlphabetCyrillic  Predominant ReligionEastern Orthodox  Capital CitySofia

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

5 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

6 CITY ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION Finance Investment Construction Ecology Environment Healthcare Social activities Transportation Infrastructure Education Culture Religion MUNICIPALITY MAYOR Municipal Council Population Elects Municipal Council: Legislative Body Mayor and Municipality Administration Executive Body

7 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIP  Local Government System established in 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 GovernmentSofia

8 Sofia’s Economy: Sustaining Growth Sofia is a dominant player in Bulgaria’s National economy.

9 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

10 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

11 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

12 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  Member of AIMF METROPOLIS ICLEI  Cooperation with Vienna Brussels Moscow Berlin Paris TOWARDS THE EU MEMBERSHIP

13 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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