"Scientific research" Almanac

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  THE PRACTICE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN DEVELOPING PLANNING DOCUMENTS FOR THE PROGRAMMING PERIOD 2014–2020

  The purpose of this study is to present the results of a survey conducted on the planning practices of municipalities in Bulgaria in the development of planning documents for the new programming period 2014-2020. The object of the study are the municipal development plans (MDPs) for 2014-2020 of all 264 municipalities within the country and the ... The purpose of this study is to present the results of a survey conducted on the planning practices of municipalities in Bulgaria in the development of planning documents for the new programming period 2014-2020. The object of the study are the municipal development plans (MDPs) for 2014-2020 of all 264 municipalities within the country and the subject is the quality of the MDPs and the implementation of the fundamental planning principles in the preparation of strategic documents for local and regional development. The study is based on a set of criteria developed by the team of authors, which provides an opportunity for objective assessment of the quality of the MDPs. The results obtained are a basis for presenting some best practices and making recommendations for future actions, aimed at improving the strategic planning process at municipal level, increasing both the coordination and cohesion between the planning documents of different hierarchical levels and establishing a national body with prerogatives in the field of strategic planning of the regional development. The main research thesis is that the municipal administrations in our country have a significant potential for improvement and standardization of their planning processes, which in the long term influences regional development and the opportunities for generating municipal competitive advantages.

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  MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF DEBT AND THE DEBT CRISIS (methodological aspects)

  The object of the current study is the public debt, and the subject – the tools for measurement (monitoring), evaluation and analysis of debt under the conditions of a growing global debt crisis. The analysis focuses on two working hypotheses: First. Determining the situation in the external sector of an economy is a function of the cumulative ... The object of the current study is the public debt, and the subject – the tools for measurement (monitoring), evaluation and analysis of debt under the conditions of a growing global debt crisis. The analysis focuses on two working hypotheses: First. Determining the situation in the external sector of an economy is a function of the cumulative expression of the individual analytical balances reported as foreign exchange balances, on the one hand, and the status and trends in its external debt. Second. The debt crisis in the 21st century from a phenomenon typical of developing countries is becoming a global problem, whose solution requires the application of a variety of measures and decisions of national and international nature. The aim of the study is to develop ideas for methodologically sound assessment on an international basis of the current state of public debts as a basis for conducting national and internationally agreed policies for its management.

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  ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE AMOUNT AND MATURITY PROFILE OF BANK CONSUMER LOANS IN BULGARIA

  Over the last two decades there has been a substantial increase in theoretical and practical-applied research into the impact of key determinants on the consumer loans that banks offer. Their profitability and credit risk level depend on the optimum structuring of credit transactions. Of course this statement should not contradict the compliance ... Over the last two decades there has been a substantial increase in theoretical and practical-applied research into the impact of key determinants on the consumer loans that banks offer. Their profitability and credit risk level depend on the optimum structuring of credit transactions. Of course this statement should not contradict the compliance with the following two principles: 1) The amount and the term of the bank loan must fully comply with the actual need for funding, and 2) The value of the debt must be ‘secured’ with a sufficient level of creditworthiness. In this paper, the authors commit themselves to a thorough examination and assessment of key factors influencing the maturity structure and the amount of bank consumer loans in Bulgaria. Through a survey they aim to analyze and assess the priority of key determinants that affect the credit policy on the basis of individual opinions of bank experts directly involved in granting consumer loans.