Year 2018, Issue 2

Date published

26.6.2018

Table of content

  • Vera Pirimova, Petar Ilkov Peshev
    Comparative Advantages and Competitiveness of Bulgarian Exports
    JEL: F10, F14
    Summary: earch analyses the comparative advantages and competitiveness of Bulgarian production and exports. The paper consists of two parts. Part one reviews some theoretical concepts about the nature of comparative advantages and interprets the indexes designed by B. Balassa and M. Amir. Part two provides computations of B. Balassa and  ... ... The research analyses the comparative advantages and competitiveness of Bulgarian production and exports. The paper consists of two parts. Part one reviews some theoretical concepts about the nature of comparative advantages and interprets the indexes designed by B. Balassa and M. Amir. Part two provides computations of B. Balassa and M. Amir indexes and analyses obtained results to identify the comparative advantages and disadvantages of Bulgarian production and exports for certain commodities and commodity groups in the period from 2012 to 2016. Based on the findings of the analysis, we identify and summarise available opportunities for expanding or limiting the exports of certain commodity groups and raising the competitiveness of Bulgarian economy. The research employs mathematical and statistical methods, mainly the index method, in addition to the methods of analysis and synthesis.
  • Petya Vasileva
    Current Challenges to the Offshore Business
    JEL: H26
    Summary: e business is such an integral part of the financial sec¬tor that we can hardly imagine the world of money without it. Today we are as accustomed to offshore business as people were to slavery in the 18th and the 19th century when slave labour was considered normal and natural. How¬ever, it goes without saying that just like sla ... ... Offshore business is such an integral part of the financial sec¬tor that we can hardly imagine the world of money without it. Today we are as accustomed to offshore business as people were to slavery in the 18th and the 19th century when slave labour was considered normal and natural. How¬ever, it goes without saying that just like slavery, offshore zones are doomed to gradual decline because they function is parasitic. According to a study conducted by the international confederation Oxfam, offshore companies evade taxes for nearly $ 200 billion each year. In fact about 50% of Russia's assets, 57% of the Arab Emirates’ oil funds, and 30% of Africa's funds are hidden in offshore zones. According to the above report, 1% of the world population now have more wealth than the other 99%. The richest sixty peo¬ple have more money than three and a half billion poor people. Such inequali¬ty is possible only through the cooperation of offshore zones. The US Nation¬al Bureau of Economic Research estimates that about $ 5.6 trillion is kept in offshore zones around the world. This amount represents 8% of the global equity or 10% of the world's gross domestic product.
  • Cornelia Philipova
    Unemployment Benefits in Bulgaria and Their Potential for Prevention of Poverty
    Summary: ion of poverty and social exclusion is a process directly related to public incentives for vulnerable groups aiming to achieve a decent and independent life. Labour income is one of the main prerequisites for overcoming the problem. However, a large number of the working population is economically inactive and do not even look f ... ... Prevention of poverty and social exclusion is a process directly related to public incentives for vulnerable groups aiming to achieve a decent and independent life. Labour income is one of the main prerequisites for overcoming the problem. However, a large number of the working population is economically inactive and do not even look for forms of employment. Low education levels, the lack of working habits and the limited demand for skilled labour are objective factors for this. The characteristics of the tax and social security system as well as the state policy with regard to income and the labour market towards vulnerable groups also affect the desire to work and employment opportunities.
  • Kristi Marinova
    Bank Insolvency – Regulatory Challenges and Empirical Evidence
    JEL: G21, G33
    Summary: s bank insolvency is a specific field in bank capital management, which requires constant development of the existing regulations and application of new methods and tools for its prevention and early detection. The paper presents a study on bank insolvency in terms of regulato¬ry challenges and empirical evidence for initiation  ... ... Nowadays bank insolvency is a specific field in bank capital management, which requires constant development of the existing regulations and application of new methods and tools for its prevention and early detection. The paper presents a study on bank insolvency in terms of regulato¬ry challenges and empirical evidence for initiation of bankruptcy proceedings against credit institutions. The research thesis is that bank insolvency is a crisis phenomenon in banking practice whose theoretical modelling, regulatory management and empirical investigation require constant improvement of the regulatory framework and supervisory bodies of the central banking institution. The aim of the study was to perform a critical analysis of the evolution of the regulatory framework related to bank insolvency management using empirical evidence from the banking practice in Bulgaria.
  • Tamari Poladashvili
    Students’ Perspective Towards to Bologna Process and Employability (Case Study of Bulgaria)
    Summary: blem of youth unemployment is a global issue. This article discuss in depth the youth unemployment problem. It analyses the characteristics, causes, and consequences of graduate unemployment and examines its relationship to the Bologna Process. A qualitative research has been done with focus group discussions of Bachelor and Mas ... ... The problem of youth unemployment is a global issue. This article discuss in depth the youth unemployment problem. It analyses the characteristics, causes, and consequences of graduate unemployment and examines its relationship to the Bologna Process. A qualitative research has been done with focus group discussions of Bachelor and Master Degree students. The study explores the nature of the labour market for higher education graduates and the main obstacles that youth face on their journey from education to employment. The study aims to determine whether graduate unem¬ployment is a result of shortage of jobs, skills, or lack of coordination. It includes recommendations for involving the government, the managing bodies of higher education institutions as well as employers and career service offices in order to overcome youth unemployment.