Bulgarian Losses from Greek Border Blockade Reported at BGN 15 M

Bulgarian businesses have reported a total of BGN 15,3 M in losses from the recent border blockade by Greek farmers.

The figure was announced Sunday by Koycho Rusev, a member of the Governing Board of the Association of Bulgarian Enterprises for International Road Transportation (AEBTRI), as cited by the Pari Daily.

The new sum is much smaller than previously forecast by the Bulgarian government and businesses who said the Bulgarian economy was losing about EUR 3 M daily form the Greek border blockade.

In his words, a total of 125 Bulgarian firms from all economic sectors have reported to the government the losses incurred to them by the blockade of the border staged by protesting Greek farmers in January-February with demands for higher agricultural prices.

Only the Bulgarian transport companies have reported losses amounting to BGN 3,2 M.

Rusev has pointed out that the huge issue now was how the Bulgarian firms could prove the losses they have declared.

Compared to the border blockage staged by the Greek farmers in January 2009, the reported losses at the beginning of 2010 are twice larger. Rusev emphasized, however, the fact the impact on the Bulgarian businesses was much greater this time because of the reduced economic activity.

Even as the blockade was called off in mid February, the Bulgarian government has made clear its intention to file a suit for a BGN 10 M compensation from Greece with the EU Court, and has been working to collect data about the losses from the blockade.

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