Transparency International Bulgaria initiated a discussion on the impact of the European Commission’s proposed anti-corruption directive, which took place on July 2, 2025, kindly hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.
While the aim of the directive is to create a fairer and more accountable environment, businesses in Bulgaria are expressing growing concern that the new requirements could lead to severe economic consequences, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The meeting was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria – a member of the Business Integrity Club.
- An overwhelming administrative and financial burden on small and medium-sized companies that have neither the capacity nor the resources to build complex compliance systems
- Creating an artificial inequalityin which large corporations will adapt easily and emerge almost unaffected, while small ones will be squeezed by the new rules;
- Increasing insurance costs and risk premiums on liabilities, which will force investors and managements to step back and directly will hit competitiveness;
- Potential job losseslimited entrepreneurship and a contraction of economic activity – at a time when stability is critical.
The conclusion is clear – although the directive has the right goals in principle, its implementation risks “ „институционализиране на неравенството“ and and economic paralysis for small businesses
The participants in the meeting insisted on urgently finding a balance between the need for integrity and the real opportunities of business. Concrete steps were outlined – drafting an official position, active dialogue with the government and exchange of information to prepare for the new reality.
The Business Integrity Club remains at the forefront – not only in upholding integrity, but also in protecting the sustainable development and viability of the Bulgarian economy.
