central bank data showed. At the end-month Bulgaria's debts to foreign creditors amounted to USD 10.316 billion. Net financing in the first month of the year was negative. Debt payment amounted to USD 246.6 million. The amounts received as credits and deposits in January stood at USD 46.3 million, of which USD 15.1 million were directed to the public sector, another USD 31.2 million went to the private sector. The government did not receive fresh loans in January, the national bank explained. Government debt amounted to USD 8.185 billion at end-January, down USD 49.4 million month-on-month