SOFIA, Dec. 21 -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said Saturday that the country's economy would recover with at least 1.8 percent growth in the next year.

"A number of indicators suggest that 2014 will be the first year of economic recovery," Oresharski told a press conference after the last government meeting this year.

"Probably, the growth in the third quarter of 2013 would reach 1.5 percent, the best result in the last eight quarters, and the government would continue to work to revive the economy and achieve at least the projected economic growth of 1.8 percent," Oresharski said.

Oresharski, who took office in late May after early parliamentary elections, said the year 2013 had many contradictory attitudes and events, three cabinets and protests of various kinds.

Answering the question "What is the biggest Christmas present to the citizens?" Oresharski said: "If I have to say in one sentence -- the ray of hope. I think this is important because this year started with despair, and at the end of the year, the picture looks a bit better. Next year we will work to extend this ray."

His government strengthened social policies, accelerated payments to business, tried to recover the institutional culture of communication, prepared changes and improvements in the regulatory framework in the direction of effective competition, fewer administrative burdens, clearer and simpler rules, and better revenue collection, Oresharski said.

Readiness has been demonstrated to launch large infrastructure projects "after many years of delay," he added.

Oresharski acknowledged that some reforms have failed to begin this year. However, he said the government has set aside money for them for the next year, and they were related to the investment climate, education, health and administrative services.