Balkans: February 11, 2002

Archives

Recently, StrategyPage ran a report on Bulgarias anti-corruption efforts. This past week the Bulgarian NGO Coalition 2000" published a report that says Bulgarias black economy accounts for 27 to 35 percent of the GDP. Thats huge. Moreover, Coalition 2000 says over a quarter of Bulgarias foreign trade goes on via illegal channels (smuggling, bribed customs officials, etc.). Bad? Yes. The report does say that Bulgarias anti-corruption campaign has had a positive if modest effect on the situation, but the country still suffers from endemic corruption that inhibits the economic growth and democratic reform.