Poll: 53% of Bulgarian firms admit paying bribes BNN - 2003/9/11
A nongovernment anti-corruption group said Wednesday that 53% of Bulgarian firms have paid bribes to state officials this year.
Most illegal payments were made to obtain various kinds of licenses or "favors' by customs officials, according to a poll by Coalition 2000.
The average amount of the bribes varied between leva (BGN) 250 and BGN500, the group said. The average monthly salary stands at BGN272. (US$1=BGN1.75)
In contrast with previous surveys, university professors displaced customs and police officers as the top ranking corrupt officials, Coalition 2000 said.