Measures to assist in the reform and modernisation of the Bulgaria customs administration

Bulgaria's accession to the European Union in 2007 presented it with fresh challenges to comply with new laws and regulations.

Crown Agents, which had helped modernise the customs agency for the previous five years, worked with the Ministry of Finance on a third stage of the reform programme.

Customs revenue doubled during the period we worked in Bulgaria, due to measures taken by the government with our support to reduce risks to the national budget and secure the country's financial stability.

Our team of 10 permanent advisors and short-term specialists worked in partnership with the Ministry, revenue agencies and the government to address value-added tax evasion and tax fraud in general.

We introduced new risk analysis and control systems to improve cooperation between revenue administrations. We also improved controls and inter-agency co-operation to transform the tax culture and create a better business climate, generate more public revenue that benefited the country as a whole.