In recent years, Bulgaria has enjoyed a period of sustained economic growth and political stability. As a result, the country joined the World Trade Organization (WATO) in 1996, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004, and the European Union (EU) in 2007. Bulgaria has shown how a post-communist, economically poor state can grow its economic structures to an advanced development and then be integrated into the EU.

Politically stable, with a strong banking system, Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly popular location for outsourcing. Giants such as Boeing, BMW, General Motors, Siemens, and Nortel contract small programming firms in Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s relatively cheap and qualified labor force, low taxes, and inexpensive office rental prices are among the many benefits investors will find in Bulgaria.

Recently, Bulgaria was considered to be one of the world’s top property hotspots. According to Knight Frank Global House Price Index Q1 2008, Bulgaria again topped the index as the country with the greatest annualized price growth (31.5%).

Despite signs that the property market in same areas is approaching the saturation point, residential property prices in Bulgaria continue to rise. Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, offers excellent investment potential and, according to the Ernst & Young report for 2008, investor confidence in Bulgaria is set to continue well into 2009.