Blace border crossing will be modernized according to European standards. New administrative building for the Customs Administration, the police and the phytosanitary and veterinary inspection will be built. Facility for control of busses and passengers will be also constructed, and the traffic lanes will be expanded.
 
This was announced on Sunday by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Zoran Stavreski at the start of construction works for reconstruction of the section for light vehicles, buses and passengers at Blace border crossing.
 
He said that the new border crossing is expected to increase the real permeability at the border towards Kosovo by two to three times compared to the current situation as regards the traffic and traffic jam, as well as to increase the security and safety of all traffic participants.
 
– Modern border crossing provides for number of benefits, not only improved passenger traffic and facilitated cross-border trade, but also better access of Macedonian products on European markets and improved competitiveness of the domestic economy on such markets, Stavreski said, adding that this Project would not have been realized without the support by the World Bank.
 
Stavreski pointed out that by realizing foreign trade in the amount of US$ 324 million last year, Kosovo is on the list of top ten trade partners of the Republic of Macedonia. – As regards foreign trade, Macedonia realized the largest trade surplus with Kosovo. Trade balance with Kosovo amounted to US$ 35 million in the first five months last year. Trade with Kosovo in the first five months this year was even four times higher amounting to US$ 165 million. This speaks in favour of the importance of the Project, which will contribute to intensifying the trade, by facilitating the flow of goods and services, Stavreski said.
 
Minister of Economy Fatmir Besimi said that this Project with Kosovo is one of the specific projects, in addition to signing agreements with this country. He added that the Project would significantly increase the economic and trade cooperation between Macedonia and Kosovo.
 
– Kosovo is an important trade and economic partner and one of the best neigbours of the Republic of Macedonia, and our so-far economic and trade cooperation needs to be additionally expanded i.e. the communication between Macedonia and Kosovo, the citizens and the businessmen needs to be facilitated, Besimi said.
 
According to him, this speaks in favour of the Government commitment for expanding our economic cooperation, greater trade, market principles and better-quality services to the citizens in both countries.
Vanco Kargov, Director of Customs Administration pointed out that Blace border crossing was established in 1992 and that it is in a bad condition, for both the employees and the passengers who use it.
 
– It was about time to start modernizing and creating adequate conditions for Blace border crossing, as well as carrying out better control by the Customs Administration, Kargov said.
 
He added that they have excellent cooperation with the Kosovo Customs Administration and they expect that such modernization process will enhance the cooperation. Kargov also expressed hope for even better cooperation at Jazince border crossing soon, where the Kosovo side, at the moment, provides better possibilities for customs services to perform the operations.
 
Bekim Imeri, World Bank representative in Macedonia, said that the modernization of Blace border crossing was part of the Trade and Transport Facilitation in Southeast Europe Project, financed by the World Bank, the implementation of which started in 2007. – This Project is aimed at reducing the bottlenecks of several transport and border connections in Macedonia, so as for the trade and flow of people to be faster, cheaper and simpler, Imeri said.
 
Total amount of the Project is EUR 1.7 million and it envisages for the number of traffic lanes to increase: four, instead of the so-far two, entry lanes, and three instead of the so-far two, exit lanes. Reconstruction of Blace will provide for modern facilities for carrying out the necessary border and customs formalities by border authorities. The new border crossing for passengers will include all elements necessary for normal functioning and control of passengers and passenger vehicles. Construction works will be performed by “Granit” AD Construction Company. Newly constructed border crossing is expected to be put into operation within 14 months.(MIA)
