Skopje, 17 June 2025 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he expects construction works for a high-speed rail, part of Corridor 10, to start this year as the Finance Ministry is expected to send letters to banks inviting them to submit financing offers.

“I expect letters to be sent to potential lenders this coming period. If all goes to plan, this year I expect construction works for this rail to begin, which is considered as being historic,” Mickoski told reporters Tuesday in Bitola.

The Finance Ministry is expected by the end of the day at the latest to send letters to banks to file offers for the financing of this project.

“We need to find out how many banks will participate so we can estimate the time needed for both parties. I expect the offers to be submitted by June 30, but please wait until we send the letter; we will then announce the final deadline. The government tasked us to submit offers within five days, and we base the deadline on the documents. It might be necessary to extend the deadline if banks request more information. The letter provides contacts from the Ministry of Finance and other responsible institutions because the Ministry of Finance is not responsible for the project details that need financing. This concerns €1.91 billion that will be requested as offers from a larger list of banks, including those we have ongoing cooperation with, such as the World Bank, EBRD, and EIB. You will be informed in due time as the offers arrive, including their details. We are obliged to send out the letters within five working days. Once they are sent, you will receive information about every single offer. To avoid any doubt, the Ministry of Finance will be as transparent as it always has been,” Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska has stated.

MIA file photo