Continual economic development and strong market potential are among the decisive forces that enhance Bulgaria’s ability to attract respected international investors. In recent years, international credit rating agencies have increased Bulgaria’s credit rating so that it has now reached an investment grade credit level.

In October 2006, Standard & Poor’s raised its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Bulgaria from “BBB” to “BBB+.” The short-term foreign currency rating was set to “A-2,” while long- and short-term local currency remain “BBB+” and “A-2,” respectively. On 1 March 2006, Moody’s also raised Bulgaria to investment grade status, boosting its sovereign credit rating to Baa3 from a rating of Ba1. These investment grade increases were justified by the continued reduction in Bulgaria’s general government debt burden, improved liquidity, and the lasting credibility of the government’s fiscal policy.

The Bulgarian government has signed numerous international treaties for Encouraging and Mutual Protection of Investments with the Netherlands, Cyprus, France, Denmark, Israel, Sweden, United Kingdom, Greece, Romania, Portugal, Slovakia, and more.

As per the InvestBulgaria Agency, Bulgaria is highly attractive to foreign investors because of its potential as an export location; the country has access to markets with some 800 million inhabitants in the EU, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Most of Bulgaria's Foreign Direct Investments in 1996-2008 came from:

• Austria - 15% or EUR 4,6 billion
• The Netherlands - 12% or EUR 3,6 billion
• Greece - 9% or EUR 2,8 billion
• The UK - 9% or EUR 2,7 billion
• Germany - 6% or EUR 1,8 billion
• Cyprus - 5% or EUR 1,5 billion
• Belgium - 4% or EUR 1,3 billion
• Hungary - 4% or EUR 1,2 billion
• USA - 4% or EUR 1,1 billion
• Switzerland - 3% or EUR 1,05 billion