Skopje, 12th November 2014 (MIA) – Yesterday, EBRD Board of Directors approved loans in the amount of EUR 305 million to the Republic of Macedonia for financing infrastructure projects, EUR 145 million out of which for the second phase of the railroad tracks towards Bulgaria, i.e. Beljakovce – Kriva Palanka, and EUR 160 million for the National Roads Program.
– The loans are extended under exceptionally favourable conditions – 15-year repayment period, with 4-year grace period, and interest rate of only 1.16%. All this speaks in favour of the recognition by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the overall policies and the perspectives of the Macedonian economy, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, said.
He underlined that the funds necessary for realization of this, as he said, project of strategic importance for the Republic of Macedonia which will open a new corridor for the Macedonian business sector and the citizens, are provided under the Loan in the amount of EUR 145 million, approved by EBRD for construction and reconstruction of the existing parts of the railroad tracks from Beljakovce to Kriva Palanka.
– The second loan in the amount of EUR 160 million is intended for road construction and reconstruction and it will cover four roads. The first phase will include construction of the road from Gradsko to Prilep, in particular the section in the worst condition near Drenovo Gorge, and construction of an express road on a completely new route, thus Prilep and Bitola will be well connected with the highway and with Skopje, Stavreski said.
He also stated that, in addition to this road, express road from Stip to Kocani is envisaged to be built, with two lanes in both directions, as well as an express road from Ohrid to Pestani to be built on the existing road, thus providing for no traffic jam in the summer period towards the beaches nearby Ohrid. The road, as he said, will have two lanes in both directions and slip roads towards the beaches and the settlements. These funds are envisaged to be used for the construction of a highway from Trebenista to Struga, thus the citizens, living in this part of the country, will be provided a possibility to be connected to a highway.
– Such substantial volume of investments in roads and railway allows for support to be provided, on the short run, to the Macedonian business sector and the Macedonian companies to be engaged in the construction process, as well as for greater competitiveness of the national economy and better conditions for the citizens in the eastern and the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, on the longer run, Stavreski pointed out.
