site.btaConcessions Will Give Impetus to Infrastructure Modernisation - Deputy PM Karadjov

Concessions are the instrument that will give a new impetus to the modernisation of infrastructure, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov at the opening of a roundtable entitled "Perspectives, Challenges and Vision for the Development of the Construction Sector", organised by the Bulgarian Construction Chamber and the Stroitel newspaper, according to a press release from the Ministry.

“Bulgaria cannot afford to waste time. We are joining the eurozone — home to the most prudent and wealthiest countries. If we want to stand among them, we must act wisely, and we must act now,” Karadjov stated.

He stressed that, in addition to utilising EU funds, the acceleration of key infrastructure projects can also be achieved through concession mechanisms — a tool actively encouraged by the European Commission.
“When public funds are limited, we need to attract private capital — a resource available through pension and international investment funds. This is the way to build motorways, tunnels, railways, and water facilities at the pace Bulgaria requires,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The updated concessions plan includes a number of new strategic projects: the Rila and Black Sea motorways; fast rail links across the Balkan mountain range (Stolnik–Mezdra, Troyan–Hristo Danovo, and Dabovo–Gorna Oryahovitsa); as well as several pumped-storage hydropower plants (PSHPP Dospat, Ravnogor, and Batak).

“We cannot allow a natural geographical barrier like the Balkan Mountains to remain an economic and social obstacle to Bulgaria’s development as a modern European state. We must ensure connectivity through modern infrastructure that enables the free movement of passengers and goods,” Karadjov added.

He emphasised the key role of the construction sector in realising large infrastructure projects and stated that Bulgarian companies are critical to the state's ability to implement such developments.
“Without them, we cannot ensure water supply, roads, motorways, or modern railways. That’s why I am convinced that it is through the Bulgarian construction sector and through concessions that we will secure the country’s future development,” he said.

The event was also attended by Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov, along with representatives from central and local government, the construction industry, the non-governmental sector, and others.