site.btaBorissov, EBRD President Discuss Further Active Cooperation

Sofia, July 20 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti Friday discussed the continued active cooperation between Bulgaria and the bank in the implementation of infrastructure projects in the Balkans, the government information service said.

Chakrabarti said Bulgaria gained a central role in the region's economic development during its successful EU Presidency and would continue playing it. The two officials discussed projects involved in the construction of Pan-European transport corridors IV, VIII and X. The EBRD President said the bank would remain focused on the strategic infrastructure projects discussed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in May and at the two forums held in London: the EBRD Western Balkans Investment Summit in February and the Western Balkans Summit convened under the Berlin Process in July.

Also on the agenda was possible assistance by EBRD experts to the Global Partnership Centre of the CEECs and China which will be established in Bulgaria. Its establishment was agreed by Borissov and China's Premier Li Keqiang at the 16+1 Summit held in Sofia earlier in July. It was attended by the EBRD as a permanent observer.

The EBRD President and his team are on a working visit to Bulgaria. Chakrabarti talked about the positive results achieved by companies supported by the bank. Commenting on the investment climate in Bulgaria, he said his team met with representatives of small, medium and large companies who stressed they were planning further investments.