Bulgarians may feel the pinch of costlier coal and gas, officials warn. Also in business this week: Montenegro's industrial growth rises 5.4%, and Standard and Poor's raises the outlook for the Croatian power utility HEP.

Electricity and central heating prices for household consumers in Bulgaria may climb by some 2% as of July, according to the head of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, Konstantin Shoushoulov. He explained that the increase would be due to higher coal and natural gas prices, as well as the closure of two units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.