Skopje, 24 January 2024 (MIA) - Capital infrastructure projects play a crucial role for economic development, and this has been the primary guiding principle in shaping the movement of government capital investments in the past term. The focus was on increasing the level of capital investments in the country, with the goal of more effectively overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and the energy crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine, said Minister of Transport and Communications, Blagoj Bochvarski, in his address during the panel discussion at the two-day conference ‘Year of European Opportunities,’ organized by the Government in Skopje.

He emphasized that the government should continue increasing capital investments to generate more job opportunities for domestic companies and others involved in projects such as Macedonian roads, railways, gas pipelines…

“If about a decade ago, the level of capital investments amounted to around €260 million annually, in 2023, it exceeded €700 million. This signifies the country's development, the construction of roads, railways, local roads, gas pipelines, water supply systems, sewage systems, social housing buildings, and everything that contributes to the development and improved quality of life for citizens,” Bochvarski noted.

Bochvarski also noted that it is crucial for North Macedonia, as a landlocked country, to develop both European corridors. According to him, a significant success is that, together with Bulgaria, Albania, and Italy, Corridor VIII was included on the map of major European corridors.

The second aspect, according to him, is the gas interconnector linking the country to Greece - a project that has been discussed for many years. Currently, the tender process is underway, and there is interest from companies to participate in the procedure and contribute to its construction. He also noted that both main gas pipeline to Bitola and Gostivar have been completed, which is an additional step forward in exceptionally challenging circumstances.

“Construction is undergoing a restart in this period. I mention this due to the construction reform we are implementing, with a new approach and design and construction principles that are delivering the desired results. This is our country's chance, finally, after 30 years of independence, to show that infrastructure is a top priority,” he said.

Among other things, he highlighted the support to municipalities amounting to €70 million for implementation of local roads, emphasizing the investment in an efficient transportation system in the country as a precondition for development.

"We have rehabilitated and expanded four road sections to the border crossings. The road section Deve Bair-Kriva Palanka has been opened, the road from Bitola to Medzitlija has been inaugurated, and the rehabilitated Podmolje-Struga-Kjafasan road section has been put into operation during the fall," Bochvarski said highlighting significant improvements in connectivity with Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. He announced the upcoming inauguration of the Skopje-Blace road section and the connection to Kosovo.

Photo: screenshot