(Nanowerk News) Bulgaria's planned nanotechnology center has fallen pray to the need to curb state expenditures.
The Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, said the state budget would save BGN 50 M from not launching the nanotechnology center as was previously planned.
Finance Minister Djankov made it clear Bulgaria could not afford a nanotechnology center. (Photo: BGNES)
The Bulgarian Finance Ministry and IBM Bulgaria signed a partnership agreement for the setting up of a nanotechnology center at the end of May 2009.
"With our lack of money, we cannot afford a nanotechnology center. We have a big problem because our state spending grew by 30% in the first half of 2009", Djankov said Wednesday adding that Bulgaria's main strategic goal was to join the Eurozone.
Djankov also announced that the much celebrated 15% decrease in the ministerial salaries that the former government approved in May 2009 did not in fact materialize since the former Ministers did receive the 15% in question in the form of bonuses.