Infrastructural Projects – Advantages & Benefits

Many specialists consider infrastructural development a key factor in the economic prosperity of every country. Thanks to well-functioning infrastructure countries are capable of enhancing their business environment, demonstrating flexibility, expanding their industrial area, providing smooth transportation and ultimately attracting foreign investments.

Not surprisingly, at the beginning of the market economy transition period Bulgaria had poor infrastructure – exploited (in quality and condition) roads, lack of sufficient highway transport corridors, ill-handled means of sea and railway transportation, etc.

The pre-accession programs and especially the funds available to Bulgaria after its EU accession, however, seem to have succeeded in changing entirely the picture. Only a few years (after 2007) were needed for the final release of “Trakiya” highway connecting the capital and the seaside. Moreover, there have been many reconstructions and improvements in first, second and third class roads. A lot of effort is being put in the ongoing construction of the “Struma” and “Maritsa” highways. The work on the final completion of “Hemus” highway is to be started soon, while the Sofia metro is already looking entirely European.

Along with these grand infrastructural projects financed almost entirely by the European Union there are ongoing projects on cities piping replacement, telecommunication infrastructure enhancement, water treatment plants construction, etc. Despite the setbacks we can confidently claim that Bulgaria’s performance in the utilization and realization of EU financing on infrastructural projects is excellent.

Advantages & Benefits

Hardly, however, does anyone believe that infrastructure alone stands for business prosperity and permanent jobs creation generating actual business. Unfortunately, it is a necessary but not a sufficient condition in business development. The benefits from and the advantages of good infrastructure are indisputable, but the difficult part is having the necessary patience and putting the required effort into business environment optimization on the basis of infrastructural accomplishments. Only thus actual economic development can be achieved realizing a long-term economic growth. That is why Bulgaria is facing now the difficult task to attain practical realization of the advantages of and the benefits from its unique infrastructure.