The government approved the creation of a state-owned “Shop for the People”
According to the Council of Ministers, the state-owned food chain will “ensure priority access to Bulgarian goods at affordable prices.”
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Economic.bg The government has approved the creation of a chain of state-owned food stores, according to decisions made by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The cabinet adopted a decree to establish a sole shareholder company with state participation in the capital, named “Shop for the People”
Its headquarters will be in Sofia, and its main activity will be trading in food and industrial goods allowed on the Bulgarian market, with priority given to products from Bulgarian producers. The company's goal is to give priority access to Bulgarian goods at affordable prices for consumers and socially oriented trade, especially in smaller towns.
The company's goal is to provide priority access to Bulgarian goods at affordable prices for consumers and for socially oriented trade, especially in smaller towns. A reduction in the dependence on imported goods on the Bulgarian market is expected,” the press service of the Council of Ministers said.
We would like to remind you that with the Budget 2025, adopted at the end of March, MPs gave the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) one month to initiate all procedures for the establishment and start of operations of the new state-owned chain of stores. The texts provided for the new company to be established with BGN 10 million in capital under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture. Today's decisions of the Council of Ministers only state that changes to the MAF budget have been approved, but not in what amount.
In early June, the Ministry of Agriculture told Economic.bg that state-owned stores would use the commercial premises of the Central Cooperative Union.
Many economists have already spoken out strongly against the idea, which, according to some, could lead to chaos, shortages, and even a warning from Brussels for violating regulations.
Two weeks ago, the item on the establishment of the company mysteriously disappeared from the government's agenda, with no reason given.
Translated with DeepL.
