Issue 3, 2004

The paper is presenting the results of case study survey within the already settled Greek business in neighbour countries. Totally the survey covers 28 big Greek firms. The focus of the study is put on the role of these firms on the development of the bilateral relations.
The case study focused on advantages and disadvantages of doing business in neighbour countries with special attention on: competition with other EU firms; the role of the financial issues; different aspects of legislation, national industrial policy, attitude to the trade unions, etc. Very important is the obtained information about how the big Greek firms found the tax system and the legislation - favourable or not, compared with the one in Greece, as well as the differences they see between Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania as well as do they find favourable the changes in the tax system and the legislation, which occur in the last years, and what direction should the changes take from their point of view.
It was outlined and analysed the main advantages and obstacles for the business in neighbour countries the Greek firms face. The survey found that the differences in the general establishment and business conditions are main factor for foreign investments attracting or not attracting.
It is studied also the roll of the cross-border relations for the economic development between Greece and its neighbour countries. Outlined is also the role of the EU programmes for the development of these relations. Finally some conclusions and policy implications are done.
JEL: F21, F23, P52

In the last years the effectiveness and the presence of automated mechanism of adjusting, the currency boards are in the center of many economic analyses. The current study will present an empirical analysis of the volume and interest rate on the non-covered one-day deposits of the Bulgarian inter-bank market. Developed are three empirical models in order to explain the behavior of the demand, supply and the interest rates. Studied are the influence of the requirements on the obligatory reserves of the trade banks; the operations connected with the state budget; the deals in reserve currency between the banks and BNB; and some season factors. The behavior of the interest rates and the volume of deposits are well ranged by the variables used. The coefficients, which describe the influence of these variables, are statistically significant and have the same direction as the described in the theoretical literature.
JEL: E4, E5

The study deals with actual problems of the preparation of the labor force according to the requirements of the labor market. In details are presented the systems of education and professional qualification of the youngsters and adults, their narrow points and the opportunities for improving the organization and their financing.
The educational and professional structure of the labor force is compared with the requirements of the demand on the labor market. Drawn are main disproportions. Reasoned is the necessity for creating flexible mechanisms for combining the needs with the demand of qualification and professions.
Analyzed are main structures of the supplied labor force and its fit for hiring. Proved is the insufficient activity of the system for professional qualification of adults for improving this fit.
All set in the study problems are tried to be solved in a ways according to the requirements of the forthcoming membership of Bulgaria in the European Union.
JEL: J21, J24, J62

The economic reforms, performed in the last decade in the country are a solid foundation for detailed appraisal of the market maturity of the Bulgarian economy and its orientation towards a specific market model. From the contemporary comparative economics' perspective the author defends the thesis, that the ongoing economic tendencies in Bulgaria confirm to the regulated market development intrinsic to most countries, the West-European in particular.
On the basis of practical analysis, using three systematic economic criteria, a conclusion is drawn that some inconsistencies of the regulated market model's stable and regular characteristics are observed in the Bulgarian market transition. These inconsistencies are a source for some of the national economic policy's failures. The most important inconsistencies concern in the relationship between the state and the private sector, the corporations in particular, and the social functions of the government, which at the moment are extremely underdeveloped and contradict with the constitutionally regulated welfare state market model.
JEL: P52

Studied are the directions of realization of the logistics as imposed in the practice strategical instrument, directed to insuring a competitive advantage. Suggested are mathematical models for optimizing the logistic activities on certain criteria, developed and probated for the army but with implication also in the economic area. The objective of the developing and applying the mathematical models is increase of the role of the logistics for achieving higher level of organizational effectiveness.
JEL: C52, H56, L81, L91

In the analysis of the technological factors and competitive structure of the branch are used principles and approaches of the strategic positioning. The results from the study confirm the necessity for development of the internal technological advantages as a base for increasing the competitive ability of the branch. The drawn estimations and generalizations give opportunity for identifying the main priorities and challenges for the Bulgarian producers of perfume and cosmetic products in the process of integration to the European markets.
JEL: F15, L66, O32