Bulgarian Experience in audit of concession

The Bulgarian Experience in the Audit of ConcessionsDileta Kassabova, Principal Auditor Bulgarian National Audit Office‰‰‰‰Legal FrameworkThe primary legislative acts, which set the framework for concessions in Bulgaria are:The Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria (promulgated in 1991 and subsequently amended)The Concession Act (promulgated in 1995 and subsequently amended)The Municipal Ownership Act (promulgated in 1996 and subsequently amended)The sector specific legislation applying to the different types of property and activities in respect of which a concession could be granted includes the Underground Resources Act 1999, the Waters Act 1999, the Forests Act 1997, the Civil Aviation Act 1972, the Railway Transport Act 2000, the Roads Act 2000, Inland Waterways and Ports 2000 etc. Legal Definition and Regulatory BodyUnder Bulgarian law concessions are commonly defined as a legal means whereby the State or municipality, while retaining its responsibility for protecting the public interest, is able to grant rights to a private party to utilize public property and resources and to engage a public services, which are otherwise exclusively reserved for the State/municipalitiesThe concessionaires operate under the regulations issued by Council of Ministers and corresponding Municipal CouncilSome important factsWith an amendment to the National Audit Office Act in 2001 concessions were included as a subject of our audit ...