SOFIA: Bulgaria's current account posted a surplus of 1.3 percent of gross domestic product in the first seven months compared with a surplus of 1.0 percent in the same period a year earlier, central bank data showed on Monday.

The surplus was 528.2 million euros (682.54 million US dollar) through July, up from 398.9 million euros surplus in the same period a year ago mainly due to an increase of revenues from tourism and transfers of funds by Bulgarians living abroad.

Foreign direct investment, much needed to spur growth in the European Union's fledgling economy, stood at 825.3 million euros, down from 1.07 billion euros in the same period a year ago.

The government sees the current account, the Balkan country's balance sheet with the rest of the world, posting a surplus of 0.8 percent in 2014, after a 1.9 percent surplus last year.