During the current programme period again there will be additional incentives for agricultural producers.

During training seminars, which took place in nine Bulgarian towns and cities, more than 2000 agricultural producers were given an insight into the possibilities for funding, innovation, building up a more efficient and ecological production process and better marketing of produce. The project is realized by UniCredit Bulbank with the special involvement of the Institute for Agrostrategies and Innovation (IAI). The aim of the meetings is to prepare sector representatives for the new rules and requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy – Direct Payments and the Rural Development Programme.

"We expect this year the agricultural sector to keep developing well, very much like in the previous years, despite climate change and the challenging business environment. The rural development programmes present a new opportunity to increase competitiveness in the sector as well as output", commented Krum Alexiev, Head of Marketing and Client Segments at UniCredit Bulbank.

For the new programme period until 2020, Bulgaria will receive slightly more than 7.7 billion euro for the sectors of Agriculture and Fisheries. Under EU's Common Agricultural Policy – the planned amount of direct payments to our country is 5.3 billion euro and under the Rural Development Programme the amount is 2.3 billion euro. Under the Maritime and Fisheries programme 88 million euro may be utilized in the next five years.

"The measures under the Rural Development Programme will continue to foster farm modernization and during this period the focus will be on animal husbandry, fruit-and vegetable growing. Young farmers entering the market will be given priority", explained Vanya Buchova, European Funds Manager at UniCredit Bulbank.

This year a separate scheme for young farmers, who are starting up an agricultural business, will be introduced. In this way, farmers up to 40 years of age receiving area-based direct payments will have an allowance of 25% on the amount of the payment under the Single Area Payment Scheme. The payment is granted for a period of five years, as it aims to mitigate the difficulties in the initial period after establishment of the enterprise. In the future, for additional direct funding to young farmers, a budget of up to 2% of the financial package for direct payments will be allocated.

UniCredit Bulbank offers a full package of products and services for agricultural producers, farmers and tradesmen. Besides specialized consulting services, clients of the bank may also avail themselves of funding for purchasing farmland, machines, loans against pledge of subsidies, funding for consulting expenses related to drawing up projects and other.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch