Construction Firms Seek BGN 200 M in Delayed Payments by Bulgarian Municipalities

Business | April 9, 2013, Tuesday // 15:59|  views

The construction sector is still experiencing problems with delayed payments of municipalities for infrastructure projects, according to Svetoslav Glosov, Chair of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber. Photo by BGNES

The construction sector is still experiencing problems with delayed payments of municipalities for infrastructure projects, according to Svetoslav Glossov, Chair of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber.

Glossov, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and econ.bg, said Tuesday that the liabilities of municipalities had reached BGN 180-200 M in the past year.

He made clear that there were no complaints about delayed payments by the EU.

Glossov's comments came prior to the opening of the 8th Annual National Conference Strategic Infrastructure Bulgaria 2013, a platform used to present the progress achieved in the sector throughout the past year.

The forum is also used to hold a discussion on the new strategic goals and projects in the sphere of road, water, and energy infrastructure.

The 2013 edition of the event is attended by Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and EU Funds Minister Iliyana Tsanova, caretaker Environment Minister Yulian Popov, and representatives of relevant state bodies, etc.

Glossov was positive that a change of power after the parliamentary elections would not have a negative impact on the construction sector.

Bulgaria's caretaker government vowed that it would do everything possible to prevent obstructions to the implementation of ongoing construction projects and to ensure timely payments.

Glossov suggested Tuesday that he would expect the same of the next government, regardless of its composition, in the sphere of infrastructure too.

The Chair of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber noted that 80% of the output in the construction sector had been generated by public procurement in the past few years, with nearly 90% of the projects financed with EU money.

"You can see what share public procurement deals occupy, taking into account that most of the deals involve infrastructure construction. Therefore, if we want the construction sector to develop, and it gives boost to a number of other spheres, I believe it is only logical to continue with these projects," he added.

Glosov informed that the most of the activities in the sector for the past two years had involved the construction and completion of highways and water and wastewater systems.

He specified that the major projects scheduled for completion in 2013 were the Struma highway, the Sofia-Kalotina high-speed road section, as well as certain activities on the Hemus and Maritsa highways.

BCC representatives voiced hopes that the Trakia highway would be completed by the end of summer 2013, adding that more attention had to be paid to second and third class roads because they had been left on the back burner.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!


Tags: Svetoslav Glossov, Bulgarian Construction Chamber, EU funds, Infrastructure projects, public procurement

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search