I have strongly advised the mayors of the municipalities of Dobrich District to draw up competitive projects so that they can apply for the big projects under PHARE – Economic and Social Cohesion /ESC/

I have strongly advised the mayors of the municipalities of Dobrich District to draw up competitive projects so that they can apply for the big projects under PHARE – Economic and Social Cohesion /ESC/ in accordance with Financial Memorandum 2003, some of them are for the North-Eastern planning region. This was announced by the Regional Development and Public Works Minister Valentin Cerovski at a press conference in Dobrich after the District Council for Development held its first meeting for 2004. Besides Minister Cerovski, the meeting which was presided over by the Dobrich District Governor Ivan Ivanov, was attended also by the MPs from the National Movement Simeon II from the region Antonia Parvanova and Encho Malev. One of the projects under PHARE – ESC in accordance with Financial Memorandum 2003 is for a pilot integrated scheme for regional development in the North-Eastern planning region. It is worth 6.22 mil. euro, including 4.8 mil. euro under PHARE. Another project, which is worth 4.68 mil. euro, /including 3.46 mil. euro under PHARE/, envisages improvement of the water and sewerage infrastructure of sites of tourist potential. In Dobrich Minister Valentin Cerovski also attended the working meeting of independent European consultants who are on a mission to Bulgaria. The goal of the mission is to make an assessment of the regional water and sewerage companies and to offer investment projects in the water and sewerage sector for financing under the EU ISPA Programme. Minister Cerovski announced that one of the opportunities is that Water and Sewerage Company Dobrich is included in the framework agreement for cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Finance for extending credits for specific water and sewerage companies at the total amount of 60 mil. euro with the aim of co-financing under ISPA at the total amount of 180 mil. euro. The letters of mandate for the water and sewerage companies in Plovdiv and Bourgas have been signed, however, it is envisaged that the project will include between 4 and 9 regional companies total. Minister Valentin Cerovski underlined that if, for example, the pilot projects in Plovdiv and Bourgas are successful, the MRDPW will attract a total financial resource at the amount of 240 mil. euro, including 180 mil. euro under ISPA. Photo: /left to right/ Mr. Encho Malev, MP from the National Movement Simeon II from Dobrich Region, Minister Valentin Cerovski, Dobrich District Governor Mr. Ivan Ivanov, and Ms. Antonia Parvanova, MP from the National Movement Simeon II from Dobrich Region PR & International Relations Directorate