site.btaDeputy PM Zaharieva Reports Back on Caretaker Cabinet's Performance in Economy Sector

Deputy PM Zaharieva Reports Back on Caretaker Cabinet's Performance in Economy Sector

Sofia, November 6 (BTA) - Most of the tasks and objectives that
the caretaker Cabinet set itself in the economy sector have been
 implemented, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina
Zaharieva told a news conference at the Council of Ministers on
Thursday.

In her words, creating the necessary prerequisites and
guidelines to find a sustainable balance in the power industry
has been one of the most important tasks.

Zaharieva also noted the establishment of the Energy Board.

She pointed out that at its last meeting the Cabinet approved
draft amendments to the Energy Act, under which an independent
non-partisan regulator will be established. It will be elected
by the National Assembly and will operate more transparently.

Work on the programme for energy renovation of residential
buildings has been accelerated, the Deputy PM reported,
recalling that the project had been delayed and incurred the
some of the worst risks of forfeiting funding under Operational
Programme Regional Development.

Zaharieva said that the as early as at the end of its first week
 in office, the Government resumed payments by budget money
under Operational Programme Environment and Priority Axis 3 of
Operational Programme Regional Development, whose financing had
been suspended by the European Commission over suspected
irregularities. "We have information that the Commission will
restart payments by November 15. The risk of losing funding
under the two programmes is now far lower than when we took
over," she pointed out.

Zaharieva said that a large part of the money owed to business
contractors has been paid, with over 450 million leva disbursed
under the two operational programmes.