Venelin Boshnakov

ŠEŠĖLINĖ EKONOMIKA IR BULGARIJOS VERSLO VYSTYMOSI PERSPEKTYVOS INTEGRACIJOS Į ES LAIKOTARPIU

The paper suggests some empirical evidence on selected issues related to the influence of business environment factors and corruption practices anticipated as barriers to the successful finalization of the transformation of Bulgarian economy and its integration in the common European economic space. The analysis utilizes sample data from a questionnaire survey among 345 representatives of business organizations having ownership, managerial, or expert positions within the firm. During the survey, respondents expressed their opinions about the spread of grey economy as well as about various aspects of transactions underreporting practices in their branch, providing a ground for the evaluation of the impact of these phenomena on the perceived potential for private businesses development. Evidence from business people attitudes is provided in support of the opinion that restraining the corruption and bureaucratic barriers, provision of the higher public decision-making transparency, as well as improving law enforcement and judiciary system effectiveness are important conditions for domestic entrepreneurship stimulation and overall stable economic growth within the European economy.

Determinants of Migration and Types of Migration and Mobility

The chapter suggests a comprehensive study of migration typology for Bulgarian migrants based on the concepts of individual aspirations and capabilities. The analysis utilizes data from sample surveys conducted in Switzerland and Bulgaria. An original classification of migrant types is proposed on the basis of aspirations revealed in respect of the future plans of the surveyed individuals. A distinction between short- and long-term potential migrants is derived. A subsample of the mobile population currently residing in Bulgaria is identified as well, i.e. those who have recent migration experience. These individuals are further differentiated into two main types: return and circular migrants. Along with this, the survey of Bulgarians residing in Switzerland provides an option to identify similar migrant types. The chapter provides insights on various aspects of the socio-economic profiles of the migration types studied. Finally, using logistic regression models the main determinants of the migration aspirations are outlined incorporating a selection of demographic and capability variables of respondents.

Assessing Regional Disparities in Bulgaria and Switzerland

The chapter reviews regional disparities in Bulgaria and Switzerland in relation to migration attitudes of Bulgarian citizens. Applying a taxonomy method that produces an integral score of a regional unit’s development, three main groups of units are identified—top, medium, and less developed districts in both countries. Correlation analysis is performed by variables for Bulgarian migrants’ concentration and the socio-economic indicators of the regions. The main migration variables are based on survey data for potential and return migrants in Bulgaria and for the Bulgarian residents in Switzerland. Regional demographic and socio-economic profiles of potential migrants in Bulgaria and of Bulgarian residents in Switzerland are particularly discussed in respect of gender, age, education, labour market status, etc. Evidence is suggested that Bulgarians in Switzerland tend to relocate in search of migrant niches in relatively less developed cantons, avoiding higher concentration of migrants of other origin. Educational differences among Bulgarian residents as well as the diversity in the professional occupations clearly relate to the regional divergence between the respective Swiss cantons.

Bulgarian Households Income Redistribution: Feasible Estimates of Main Tax-Benefit Redistribution Indices for 2003

The proposed paper provides trial estimates for particular indices of household factor income redistribution as a result of the bidirectional intervention of direct taxes and social transfers in Bulgaria for year 2003. Musgrave-Thin, Reynolds-Smolensky, Kakwani and Atkinson-Plotnik indices along with the average effective tax and benefit rates are estimated on the basis of decile distributions of pre-tax-benefit (factor) income, direct taxes and compulsory social security contributions, social benefits, and post-tax-benefit income. In this respect, the shifts in concentration curves as well as the degrees of progression of personal income taxes and social transfers are evaluated. Despite that a range of measurement problems do exist and are highly likely to cause biases of different nature, the results obtained provide feasible insights on the overall distributional impact of direct state intervention on household members incomes showing that it significantly reduces the degree of income inequality in much higher extent via social transfers than through income taxation.

Bulgarian Return Migration and Remittances: Alternative Estimates of Worker Remittances Inflow after 2000

As a result of the increased labor migration of Bulgarian citizens after the abolishment of EU visa regime the annual levels of remittances inflow show significant growth in the official values recorded by money transfer systems. It is however widely agreed that these amounts underestimate the actual remittances inflow since considerable and directly unobservable amounts are transferred through unofficial channels. The proposed paper suggests some plausible estimates of worker remittances obtained by a questionnaire household sample survey of Bulgarian return migration conducted in 2005. By our opinion, the approach adopted for deriving these estimates provides a realistic evaluation of remittances inflows showing their significant contribution to the overall macroeconomic stability of the country through supporting the persistent current account deficit in the last five years.