The International Business Club organized on April 11, 2000 a business breakfast on "Priority Infrastructure Projects in Transport and Communications" at the Center for the Study of Democracy, which was attended by representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and financial institutions, local and foreign companies.
The meeting featured the special participation of the
Transport and Communications Minister Mr. Antoni Slavinsky (right) and Mr.
Tomas O'Brien, World Bank Mission Resident Representative
Mr. Antoni Slavinsky introduced the Government's transport
policy, which is being developed in compliance with the EU accession
requirements, keeping to the following major targets:
Approximating the national legislation with the European one
in the field of rail, air and sea transport;
transport infrastructure development;
setting up conditions for co-operation among public and
private sectors and providing for joint investments;
establishing a competitive environment in various sectors
and attracting foreign investments.
A recommendation to the Government to endeavor further to
attract foreign investors in transport and communications was emphasized
by Mr. Tomas O'Brien. The elaboration of the national legislation,
establishing of transparency and restricting of corruption are the
preconditions, which would contribute for the realization of the
Government's ambitious investment program. During the years to come
Bulgaria would have to modernize her infrastructure in order to serve
effectively the economic activities.
Among the guests were (from left to right) Mr. Georg
Potika, Ambassador of Austria; the US Ambassador Mr. Richard Miles; Mr.
Akira Matsui, Ambassador of Japan and Mr. Edmond de Welde, Ambassador of
Belgium.
Mr. A. Slavinsky answered questions regarding the Bulgarian
Telecommunication Company's privatization deal, building up of a second
bridge on the Danube and the opportunities for involving foreign companies
in this project, the co-ordination of the Government's activities and the
private sector for the realization of priority infrastructure
projects.
|