Skopje, 27 September 2022 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, Transport Minister Blagoj Bochvarski and Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski presented Tuesday a project on connecting local roads, implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and supported by the World Bank, that aims at improving the road infrastructure. EUR 70 million has been provided through the project to improve the infrastructure and to reconstruct local streets and roads in all 80 municipalities across the country and the City of Skopje, according to PM Kovachevski. "This is the one of the most major and most important projects for the municipalities through which local infrastructure is being improved. Launched in 2020, so far over 90 streets in 44 municipalities have been included," he said adding the project is expected to be concluded by 2024. "A developed local infrastructure equals to developed economy," the PM stressed. Minister Bochvarski said that investments in infrastructure are of vital importance for economic growth and development of the country. He noted that rehabilitation of local infrastructure is the first and main priority for the citizens, the economy all the while also improving road safety. For the Interior Ministry as an involved institution, said Minister Spasovski, the matter of quality management of road safety in local communities is of key importance. "Improving the quality of road infrastructure without a doubt creates conditions to also improve road safety," he said adding that the Interior Ministry is at a disposal to provide assistance, analyses, statistics in securing the project to be successfully completed. According to World Bank's Massimiliano Paolucci, whose video address was shown at the event, said North Macedonia has been making serious efforts to improve local roads. He also touched on the significance of the project and the strengthening of the capacities for improving local infrastructure aimed at improving the quality of living across the country.