Bulgaria expects a fiscal surplus of 0.8 percent of gross domestic product this year, the finance ministry said on Friday, indicating it will outperform its updated target for a balanced budget as the economy grows strongly.

The ministry said the Balkan country recorded a surplus of 2.4 percent of GDP at the end of November, mainly due to better tax collection. Bulgaria is targeting a fiscal shortfall of 1.0 percent of economic output next year, according to its 2018 budget bill, which allots more funds for education and public sector wages.

Copyright Reuters, 2018