1. Transport Infrastructure and FDI Importance and Challenges
George Tabakov
Chairman, Bulgaria Economic Forum

2. Significance and volume of FDI in Southeast Europe

3. The FDI stock of the SEE States is still far behind that of CEE states in absolute terms but is starting to catch up on a per capita basis

4. Private sector perception of the business environment in SEE

5. Bottlenecks of the infrastructure in Bulgaria
New Bridge across the Danube near Vidin
Deadline: 2007
Budget: EUR 230 m
State budget: EUR 65 m
Loans: EUR 70 m (EIB)
EUR 18 m (KfW – Germany)
Grants: EUR 70 m (ISPA) EUR 5 m (AFD – France) EUR 2 m (KfW)
Construction of Ljulin Motorway
Sofia Ring Road – Daskalovo Road Junction

6. Average Dailey Transports From Niš to Bulgaria Border
The Sofia-Niš Highway
Average Dailey Transports
From Niš to Bulgaria Border

7. Border checkpoints with Greece
Kurdjali – Komotini
Gotse Delchev – Drama
Rudozem - Xanti
Lack of railway connection between Sofia and Skopje

8. Projects of high priority for Bulgaria

9. Reconstruction, Development and Extension of Sofia Airport
Deadline: 2005
Budget: EUR m
State budget: EUR 40.2 m
Grants: EUR 51.8 m (ISPA and PHARE)
Loans: EUR 60 m (EIB)
EUR 40 m (KFAED – Kuwait)
Others: EUR 10.4 m

10. New Breakwater and Bulk Cargo Terminal at the Port of Bourgas
Deadline: 2005
Budget: EUR 142 m
State budget: EUR 24 m
Loans: EUR 118 m (JBIC)

11. Reconstruction and Electrification of Plovdiv – Svilengrad Railway Line
Deadline: 2007
Budget: EUR 340 m
State budget: EUR 37 m
Loans: EUR 150 m (EIB)
Grants: EUR 153 m (ISPA)

12. Challenges EU Integration Political hotbeds of tension Political risk
Lack of administrative capacity and know-how to absorb funds from the EU
Corruption
Difficulties in meeting high European Safety, Security and Environment standards

13. Thank you for your
attention !