Minister Lilyana Pavlova: We Expect an Increase of the Projects with European Funding This Year

The Juncker plan has its great opportunities, which I consider we have not used enough. I would like to see more projects there, concerning the development of the strategic road infrastructure, energy efficiency projects in the public sector and modernizing the water infrastructure. 
This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova at the conference on The Juncker Plan – Opportunities and Results, held by the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria.

Minister Pavlova reported that in the field of water infrastructure, which is in greatest need, no project has been submitted by our country under the so called Juncker Plan and there is a great potential.
According to the regional minister the program may fund projects covering water supply systems, building of new dams and better energy efficiency measures in the water supply and sewerage sector to support the government efforts in this field.   

In the presence of business representatives minister Lilyana Pavlova noted there will be an increase of the projects implemented through European funding under all Operational Programmes this year. 
In her words the grant European solidarity is key to the development of basic infrastructure in the country and the state institutions with the support of business and non-government sector should do everything possible to keep the funding after 2020.   
In this field the investment needs are highest owing to which we have to protect and defend a large amount of the European investments and solidarity to continue for building of road, water and urban infrastructure.
I am convinced that the more we expand the opportunities of the financial engineering instruments such as the Juncker Plan and the Fund of Funds, the greater success of the result we would have, said Pavlova.

The Minister reminded that our country reports serious success with the financial instruments during the previous programming period giving Jessica as an example. 
It is a good example of how the urban development funds could support the basic infrastructure to develop and to involve resource and capital, said she.
The program launched with a budget totaling EUR 33 mln. has attracted investments totaling over BGN 180 mln. under 32 projects in the seven large cities in the country.
They have a vast effect and a good base for improving the environment, encouraging business and creating employment. 
Projects such as markets, parking lots, cinemas, private schools and medical centres, car parts plant, etc. have been implemented.   

I appeal to business to be innovative and creative because the urban development funds give lots of opportunities, noted Pavlova.
The Minister reminded that under the Regions in Growth 2014-2020 Operational Programme the investments through financial instruments have been extended.
The 39 large and medium sized Bulgarian cities have access to them. The initial capital have been
increased to BGN 370 mln., allocated to three urban development funds – one for the city of Sofia and two others for North and South Bulgaria. The resource in it has been allocated to two categories as BGN 270 mln. have been envisaged for urban development projects and BGN 100 mln. – for projects for tourism development and tourist attractions.  
The tourist fund has no limits for territorial range. All types of attractions and monuments of culture with national and world significance in the country are eligible for funding.

Minister Pavlova added that under Regions in Growth Operational Programme BG 100 mln. as an additional option for investments in extra activities such as excavations or restoration of objects, monuments of culture received funds under the Tourism Fund.
The opportunities for funding urban development projects funded through financial instruments have been expanded.  
Thus for example they will support projects in a number of fields – healthcare sector, education, sport, culture, etc.
Investments such as laboratories, medical centres, aqua parks and fun-fair, sport centres, playgrounds, private schools, educational schools, etc. are eligible, noted Minister Pavlova.
In her words there is a serious potential in the field of public transport. There are vast needs in the sector and up to this moment the only funding is under the integrated public transport projects.  

Under the fund and the Juncker plan line we would be able to increase the funding for traffic management, e-taxing, building of parking lots, etc. 
We can be creative, to combine projects with returns, creating jobs and improving the urban environment, said Pavlova. 
Another sector with a great potential is the energy efficiency of public buildings, integrating of energy saving systems in cities, settlements, schools and other types of public infrastructure. 
The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works emphasized that there are no restrictions for the initiator and beneficiary when it comes to applications under the financial instruments line as well as there is no requirement for a physical person or juridical body.