Lilyana Pavlova: The Combination of Infrastructure and Economy is the Chance for Development of the Regions

The Combination of Infrastructure and Economy is the Chance for Development of the Regions. This was stated today by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova during the forum Da!Na balgarskite regioni /Yes! To the Bulgarian regions forum/, held in Kardzhali. The campaign aims to contribute to the development of the Bulgarian regions, outlining the opportunities to resolve the problems of the regional cities and the smaller settlements.

The needs to support business development are considerable, said Minister Pavlova, adding that in this sense the implementation of Trakiya and Maritsa motorways as well as the road to Makaza border checkpoint has a good influence. She noted that the European investments for road infrastructure decrease and for that reason more budget revenues as well as a fairer approach to pay for passing along the republican roads are needed in order to be able to maintain them with the required quality. After introducing the toll system the heavy goods vehicles will pay toll while the vignette system will remain for the cars in order not to be burdened.

The regional Minister informed that BGN300 mln. will be invested in the South Central Region of the country under the Programmes on which the Ministry works. She emphasized that in the current programming period Operational Programme Regions in Growth is focused on the urban development. Therefore about half of its financial resource – near BGN 1,5 bln. will be allocated to the large municipalities while the other funds support reforms in education, healthcare, as well as the infrastructure development. In this context the approach to the Programme’s  implementation has been changed, owing to which the local authorities together with the citizens and business define the direction of the regions’ development.     

Within the elaborated integrated urban regeneration and development plan of Kardzhali three zones for targeted impact has been defined, said Pavlova. She explained that these zones are for economic development where infrastructure facilitating the business will be developed, for social activities and urban development where investments will be made in public areas. The Minister expressed her hopes the projects which will be implemented within the plan to be selected by the municipality together with the citizens and business. For the implementation of the projects the local authority will receive BGN21 mln. under the Operational Programme as it will prepare the projects on its own and approve them as an Intermediate Body. Under the Operational Programme the connecting infrastructure of the industrial zone of the city could be funded if it is set as a priority and there is an interest by the business.

Within the complementary investments under OPRG, supporting the development of the small municipalities, the municipality of Krumovgrad will receive funding for investments in energy efficiency of public buildings.

It is difficult for the business to find professionally educated personnel. A well-educated work force    is needed and therefore BGN 200 mln. under the Programme will be invested purposefully to support the vocational high schools, said the Minister. She explained that prioritization by sectors has been made as high schools necessary for the business in each region have been defined. Not only will the buildings be rehabilitated, but laboratories where pupils will be able to acquire professional skills will be constructed and equipped, she added.
The aim is young people to stay in the region where they live, said the Minister.
She reminded that BGN 160 mln. will be invested in emergency aid infrastructure. In all district cities and in 170 small settlements emergency centers will be built or renovated and equipped. 400 specialized ambulances to transport the sick to the large hospitals to provide them with the necessary specialized aid will be purchased, explained the Minister.

Regarding the road infrastructure Pavlova emphasized that the needs are greater than the opportunities but step by step work is done in this direction. I hope through savings realized within the implementation of the approved for funding projects under Operational Programme Regions in Growth to be able to implement more of the reserve sites, she said.

In reference to a question about the construction of a bypass road of Kardzhali the Regional Minister informed that there is a good progress on it. In the last year there is an approved conceptual design and a technical project that is almost ready. The 15 km long route includes 5 viaducts and 1 bridge facility which should lead the heavy goods vehicles away from the city. An Expert commission is going to approve the final project so as to be implemented in the years ahead, informed Pavlova, adding that it has been worked in cooperation with the governor to implement the necessary appropriations of lands in the scope of the project. The facility has a very high indicative value and the budget cannot afford it, therefore funding opportunities including the Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes will be looked for, she added.

Concerning the opportunities to expand the Makaza border checkpoint the Minister noted that at the current moment buses can pass along it but not trucks. She pointed out that the country has strict requirements to the customs and border control and therefore the point cannot be expanded at this time. If there is no bypass the whole traffic will pass through Kardzhali, Pavlova said.

The municipality of Kardzhali can apply for rehabilitation of the facility that takes the wastewater to the treatment station of the city under the Programme for clear waters of MRDPW, said the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works. An important opportunity for the business are the financial instruments based on the public private partnership, co-financed by the European funds , noted Pavlova explaining that 12% from the budget of OPRG have been allocated to funds for urban development and tourism infrastructure development. With seed capital totaling near BGN 300 mln. funds which can multiply and contribute to the development of the regions with the investments by the financial sector and business could be created, added she. The Minister pointed out as a successful example the initiative executed during the previous programming period through funds under Operational Programme Regional Development. Projects for market-places, aqua parks, a car parts plant, a medical center and a private school have been implemented under the Programme. There is a great variety of opportunities for urban development. The business can participate on its own and get 10-15 year low-interest loan what the banks do not offer, emphasized she.