I am optimistic that the VAT for the restaurant industry will be 9%. The fact that a rate of 20% is written in the draft budget does not mean anything. The changes come to a vote in a committee or in the hall. This was stated by the chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants (BAZ) Richard Alibegov in the studio of “The Day Live” on NOVA NEWS.
However, he warned that the protests, which start tomorrow, will continue and become increasingly large-scale if the authorities do not satisfy the demands of the industry for a 9% VAT.
We insist on organizing a broad meeting, because tomorrow's protests are because of this - because of the lack of dialogue. We want a meeting with Boyko Borisov, as well as with the Joint Management Council. We want to present our views and make proposals that will lead to a lightening of the gray sector in the industry and to an increase in income, Alibegov added.
According to him, with the exception of two or three countries, all other member states in the European Union have reduced rates for the restaurant and hotel business.
„Germany is in the greatest debt since the Second World War, and they are reducing the VAT on restaurants to 7% with the idea of giving the economy a breath of air to recover“, he gave an example and asked why the authorities refused to tax the excess profits of banks, but want to leave 20% VAT for restaurants.
„With the protests, we want to show that we are a very large industry. Starting tomorrow, we will start with protests in several cities for an hour or two, but starting next week, if we are not heard, we will close restaurants, boulevards and squares. The goal is to reach a dialogue with the authorities and present our views“, Richard Alibegov specified.
Regarding the accident in Kochani, Alibegov commented that the level of the restaurant and entertainment industry in North Macedonia is the same as it was in our country at the beginning of this century.
Fortunately, things are radically different here now, plus our legislation in this regard is very good. In Bulgaria, no one will give you a license for an establishment like there, which is more like a warehouse than an establishment, he explained and expressed hope that Macedonians will learn a lesson after this tragedy, which claimed 59 lives.