Transport Ministry’s 2021 Budget Stands at Over Mden 5 Billion, Focuses of Capital Projects

Jerusalem, 1 December, 2020 (TPS) -- Skopje, 1 December 2020 (MIA) – Transport and Communications Minister Blagoj Bochvarski told a press conference on Tuesday that the Ministry’s 2021 budget will ensure timely realization of capital investments.

The Transport Ministry’s 2021 budget, he stressed, stands at Mden 5,306,000,000, of which 83%, i.e. Mden 4,404,000,000 have been allocated for implementation of capital projects.

“We intend to ensure a high level of realization of capital investments in the areas of gas, rail and sewage infrastructure, as well as building construction. Despite the COVID crisis, we have reason to project for 2021 economic recovery and positive growth rate,” Bochvarski said.

He underlined the need for hefty investments in infrastructure, as a precondition for recovery and rapid development amid the coronacrisis.

“We’re leaving a difficult year behind us, having prevented major layoffs in the construction sector as a result of capital investments in infrastructure construction. Therefore, we need now more than ever to invest in capital projects to get back on track with projected economic growth rate, retain jobs and ensure transparency of processes based on the different needs of citizens,” Bochvarski noted.

Mden 1,800,000,000 have been allocated for the construction of rail connection with Bulgaria, which according to the Minister is a crucial project.

Moreover, Mden 750 million are set to be invested in construction of gas pipelines, Mden 937 million in sewage infrastructure, Mden 615 million for construction and repairment of local streets and roads, Mden 615 million for welfare housing and Mden 69 million for establishing new flights.

Transport Minister Bochvarski also told the news briefing that the construction of the Negotino-Prilep-Bitola and the Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar gas pipelines is set to end in 2021, adding that Mden 750 million have been allocated for implementation of this project.

He stressed that the Transport Ministry and National Energy Resources are also in the process of planning the construction of new roads, set it connect North Macedonia with neighbouring countries.

In cooperation with the City of Skopje, Bochvarski noted, the Ministry is working on a project for setting up rapid bus transport in the capital. Mden 33 million have been allocated for its implementation.

Moreover, Mden 16 million will serve for urban planning in certain municipalities and Mden 20 million have been set aside for implementation of projects in municipalities with Roma population.

2020-12-01 13:20:06, from Monika Mihajlovska