 DZI functioned as the only insurance company in Bulgaria until 1961 when a government decree established the Bulgarian foreign insurance and reinsurance company “Bulstrad,” founded on the then existing department within the DZI.The main shareholder in “Bulstrad” was the Finance Ministry and one of the principal shareholders was DZI itself.“Bulstrad” dealt with all insurance contracts related to obligations outside of the territory of the country – marine, aviation, tourist etc., while DZI kept its monopoly over insurance business inside the country.