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Bulgaria's economy accelerated slightly in the fourth quarter of 2011 while inflation slowed in January, official data showed on Wednesday, AFP reported.

Bulgaria grew 0.4 percent in the October-December period compared to the previous quarter, the national statistical institute said.
In the second and third quarters, the country registered 0.3-percent growth, it said.
On an annual basis, GDP growth in the fourth quarter weakened further to 1.5 percent, after starting the year with 3.3 percent growth and falling to 2.0 percent and 1.6 percent in the second and third quarters.
Growth in gross domestic product was helped by a rise in exports, a major driver of the small Balkan economy.
For 2011 as a whole, GDP increased by 1.6 percent compared to 2010, the flash estimate showed.
The latest government forecast was 2.8-percent growth, revised downwards from the 3.6 percent predicted in its initial budget for the year.
For 2012, the government forecasts 2.3-percent growth.
Bulgarian inflation meanwhile slowed in January of this year to 2.3 percent on a 12-month basis from 2.8 percent in December 2011 on falling food prices, official data showed.
On a monthly basis, Bulgaria's consumer price index (CPI) edged up by 0.2 percent, after 0.1 percent the previous month, the national statistical institute said in a statement.

(source:AFP)