The level of foreign direct investments (FDI) in Bulgaria has gone up by 11.5% in the first nine months of 2005.

Bulgaria's National Bank (BNB) registered in January - September FDI amounting to EUR 1.322,8 M, thus going up by 11.5% as compared to the same period in 2004, the Invest Bulgaria Agency reported.

According to the latest analyses of the Invest Bulgaria Agency the greenfield investments so far exceed EUR 1.5 B.

Invest Bulgaria Agency Chief Pavel Ezekiev forecasted that Bulgaria's FDI would amount EUR 6 B by the end of 2005. The prognosis is based on the recent development of Bulgaria's economy and the international investment circles.

According to BNB preliminary data Austria is the major foreign investor in Bulgaria with 32.5% of the total amount of the FDI. Austria is followed by Switzerland (14.2%) and the UK (13.5%).