In order to further improve the capacity of the Ministry of Finance and the revenue agencies a contract was signed in June 2007 with Crown Agents to assist Bulgaria to meet the new challenges of an EU Member State. Crown Agents developed a P rogramme for Measures to Assist in the Modernisation of Bulgarian Financial Administration. The programme was designed uniquely for Bulgaria, combining sustainable reform, revenue enhancement, detection of fraud and compliance with EU membership requirements.

Crown Agents mobilised a large team of international experts. Ten long-term advisors work alongside counterparts in the Ministry of Finance and its sub-agencies. They are being supported by a range of short-term experts who assist in specific technical areas.

Phase I of the Programme ran from June 2007 to December 2008. Phase II of the Programme began in January 2009 and a major part of Crown Agents’ activities are directly linked to recommendations made in Phase I and their practical implementation. The enhancement of the collection of state revenue remains the top priority of the Programme but it now involves a wider range of work areas and organisations.