"Scientific research" Almanac

More titles

• 

  STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO OF BULGARIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES

  The structure of the portfolio of insurance companies shows what consumer preferences to different insurance products are. The comparison of product structures makes it possible to determine whether there is a change in the pattern of insurance consumption, to outline the reasons if there is a change and insurers to take adequate actions in line ... The structure of the portfolio of insurance companies shows what consumer preferences to different insurance products are. The comparison of product structures makes it possible to determine whether there is a change in the pattern of insurance consumption, to outline the reasons if there is a change and insurers to take adequate actions in line with new trends in consumer demand. The objective of this article is to assess the strength of the structural changes in the product portfolio of Bulgarian insurance companies. The assessment of the structural changes is done by tracing the dynamics in the distribution of Gross Premium Income by insurance sectors and insurance classes and also on the basis of the values of the integral coefficient of structural changes. The thesis defended is that tracking changes in the product structure makes it possible to identify the dynamics of the market shares of the insurance sectors and the insurance classes, to outline the trends in their market positions and to assess the degree of change in the consumer preferences. In order to achieve the objective and to prove the thesis, the following tasks have been formulated: formation of the structure of the insurance market by calculating the market shares of general and life insurance; formation of the structure of the product portfolio in general and life insurance by calculating the market shares of different types of insurance; establishing the changes in the positions of the individual insurance sectors and insurance classes in the product structure; characterizing the strength of the outlined structural changes. The survey results show that there have been changes in consumer preferences for different insurance products during the period under review. The changes in the product structure of life insurance are the most significant.

• 

  CLASSIFICATION, EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTING POSSIBILITIES FOR DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

  The undeniable interest of economic theory and practice towards financial derivatives makes them a current subject of analysis. The existence of derivatives raises the logical question about their purpose. If an investor participates in the distribution of a company’s profits by holding its shares, why do they apply another instrument that is ... The undeniable interest of economic theory and practice towards financial derivatives makes them a current subject of analysis. The existence of derivatives raises the logical question about their purpose. If an investor participates in the distribution of a company’s profits by holding its shares, why do they apply another instrument that is related to owner’s equity? The derivative markets create favorable opportunities by improving the efficiency of the underlying assets markets. Derivatives have lower transaction costs compared to other transactions with basic instruments on the spot market, they are more liquid and the risk can be transferred into a more effective, simple and inexpensive way. Proof for the significance of derivative instruments is also the EU-accepted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. Therefore, it is important that the management of every organization is aware of the regulatory framework for financial instruments, as well as the effects of each transaction with financial instrument. The main purpose of the study is to define a classification of derivative instruments and to mark key points in their accounting. The specific objectives that have to be solved are to highlight the alternatives for classifying derivatives and to focus on their immediate current accounting. The thesis is that the adequate classification and evaluation of these instruments are important factors for their correct accounting. The main conclusion is that proper classification of derivatives has a practical significance because there has to be determined whether the instrument has a value at the beginning, which has a timely accounting impact. Their internal and time values have a significant role as well, because in the changes they must be clearly distinguished from the change in the fair value of the derivative itself.

• 

  APPLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE POSITION OF CUSTOMS CONTROL IN BULGARIA

  Goods origin should be regarded as a complex economic category, which, from a customs perspective, predetermines the existence of specific control guidelines. The variety of free trade agreements between the EU and third countries introduces a number of requirements, the compliance of which must be verified by the customs authorities. This ... Goods origin should be regarded as a complex economic category, which, from a customs perspective, predetermines the existence of specific control guidelines. The variety of free trade agreements between the EU and third countries introduces a number of requirements, the compliance of which must be verified by the customs authorities. This necessitates the availability of clear technological provisions regarding the issue of proofs of origin by the Union and the verification of such proofs provided by beneficiary countries. The study aims to assess the feasibility of the free trade agreements between the EU and third countries in our country and thus define and justify the specific characteristics of the customs procedures with regard to the origin of imported goods. This aim has been achieved through: First. Assessment of the free trade agreements between the EU and third countries in terms of their importance; Second. Assessment of the relevance of the European free trade agreements for the Republic of Bulgaria; Third. Discussing the specific characteristics of the main customs procedures for control of the origin of the goods. The main research thesis is that the provisions of free trade agreements and the related origin of imported goods are the main subject of customs control and, as being such, they have a significant impact on the foreign trade relations of our country. As a result of the study, the importance of EU free trade agreements with third countries has been justified by the position of the customs control carried out in the Republic of Bulgaria. The foreign trade relations of our country have been analyzed and conclusions have been drawn as to the extent to which the Bulgarian business benefits from the possible customs preferences based on the origin of the goods.