България в европейското стопанство (1945-1949)
Bulgaria in the European economy (1945-1949)

Summary/Abstract: Important political and economic processes took place in Europe in the first years after the Second World War. The Continent was divided into spheres of influence between the victorious Great Powers, but there was not yet a sharp confrontation between the states of Eastern and Western Europe. There were no organizationally formed military-political and economic groupings (blocs). A process of restoring the diplomatic and economic relations between the European states and of developing trade between them was in progress. The war damage was removed. Production, transport and economic links were revived. The disrupted financial system was gradually stabilized. Bulgaria sought her new place in Europe’s economy. In the country were prepared the conditions for a future accelerated development of the economy, originally putting the accent on electrification which was strongly lagging behind and this slowed down economic and technological was progress. The beginning was laid of the post-war modernization of agriculture, the development of transport and the new industrial construction. Various difficulties and problems existed, however, for Bulgarian foreign trade, with Western Europe in particular. In 1947-1948 the Bulgarian Government succeeded in concluding trade agreements with many states in the western part of the Continent. By them the country secured greater stability and foresight of the economic ties and better conditions for trade. Bulgaria was integrated, although for a short period, into the entire European economic space. She occupied a leading position in the export of some goods: tobacco, attar of roses, fresh and processed fruit and vegetables but there were no essential changes in the structure of Bulgarian exports. More considerable during the period under review were the changes in imports. There was an increase in the deliveries of machinery and equipment, of production lines, and later of complete enterprises for industry and power generation, this was a sign of the beginning post-war industrialization of the country. The importation of farm machinery and transport vehicles increased, from the West European countries as well. The Bulgarian Government tried to ensure also better financial conditions for economic recovery and growth. Two credit agreements were signed with the USSR for the construction of industrial projects, which were the first in the country’s history. Other economic agreements were also concluded. In this way conditions were created for the more rapid development of Bulgaria’s economy and for approaching some of the European requirements and values.

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