Construction in Bulgaria Shows Signs of Recovery

Construction permits issued in Bulgaria in the second quarter of 2010 are up compared to the first quarter, but down on annual basis.

The data was published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) Monday.

1 441 residential permits have been issued between April and June 2010 for a total of 3 933 apartments. Compared to January – March, 2010, this is an increase of 46% and 41% respectively. On annual basis, compared to the second quarter of 2009 there is a respective reduction of 21% and 13%.

The most permits – 176, have been issued for the Varna Region, followed by the city of Sofia – 166, the Burgas Region – 135, the Plovdiv Region – 131, and the Sofia Region - 114. The most residential units will be built in Varna – 676, the southern city of Blagoevgrad – 460, the capital Sofia – 438 and Plovdiv – 413.

58 permits for office buildings have been issued in the second quarter of 2010, up 18% compared to the first quarter and down 27% on annual basis. There are also 1 171 building permits for construction other than housing and offices – up 35% and 1% respectively.

The second quarter of 2010 saw the start of the construction of 785 residential buildings with 1 811 apartments, 36 administrative buildings and 545 other buildings. The most of them were in the capital Sofia (127, 7 and 34 respectively, Plovdiv and Burgas.