site.btaMinister Reports on Implementation of Regional Development Programme

Minister Reports on Implementation of Regional Development Programme

Sofia, December 4 (BTA) - Opening an annual awareness event for Operational Programme "Regions in Growth 2014-2020" on Sunday, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova said that the previous programme - "Regional Development 2007-2013" - was completed successfully, with payments fulfilled at 103 per cent and projects finished at 100 per cent. The contractors repaired over 1,000 schools and kindergartens, several thousand facilities of cultural, social and health infrastructure, many children's playgrounds, streets and underpasses, Pavlova said. The programme transformed the face of 86 towns.

Almost 80 per cent of the new programme, "Regions in Growth 2014-2020," is now open to bidders and 35 per cent of its budget has already been negotiated for use for concrete projects. "We will use it to finance the education and the future of our children. Repairs will be carried out or completed at schools and kindergartens, with a special focus on vocational schools as well as 12 universities," she said.

The minister expressed hope that the early parliamentary elections which are likely to take place next spring will not hamper the programme. "In 2017, I expect one billion leva in real contracts, real construction and real investments via municipalities. There is nothing conceivable to stop them," she said.