Bulgarian Arms Export Control Commission Issued 887 Permits Worth EUR 1.44 Bln in 2018

The Interministerial Commission for Export Control and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction with the Minister of Economy issued 887 export licenses for defence-related products (DRPs) in 2018, which were worth 1, 44 billion euro. Most of these exports were to Saudi Arabia, India, Afghanistan, USA, Turkey and Algeria, according to BTA with reference to a report by the Commission, which was approved by the National Assembly on Friday.

The purpose of the report is to provide detailed information related to Bulgaria's policy on the export control for defense-related products and dual-use items and technologies.

In 2018, export and transfer of DRPs from Bulgaria amounted to 766 million euro. A total of 363 licenses/certificates for import and transfer of DRPs trough the territory of the country from Serbia, Germany and the USA were issued, worth a total of 412 million euro. The total value of DRP import and transfer realized on the territory of this country was 177 million euro, the largest part of which came from Serbia, Romania and Slovakia.

The Minister of Economy issued 8 certificates for registration of export and transfer of dual-use items and technologies and one certificate for the right to engage int brokerage activities with them, for which a public register is maintained.

In 2018, within this product group, exports and transfers totaling over 7.3 million euro were realized, including exports and export licenses issued in 2017 in this direction.

In 2018, 27 individual export licenses were issued for a total value of 23.8 million euro. 12 of these remained unused. The total value of export deals effected by individual export licenses was over 6.4 million euro.

In 2018, a permit was issued for drilling activities in the Black Sea economic zone of Bulgaria.

The report notes that in the past year, an individual permit was issued for the transfer of dual-use items and technologies worth 1 million euro. The value of the transfer of dual-use items and technologies is close to 900,000 euro. The report states that 72 certificates for the import of dual-use items and technologies have been issued, worth nearly 75 million euro, with a total value of imports exceeding 112 million euro (including 6 certificates for imports issued in 2017).