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Wilhelm Kraus

Abstract

Expanding Bulgaria’s political, economic, and cultural cooperation with the countries of Asia is a major priority of the Bulgarian government policy. Transport plays a key role in the implementation of this priority both by providing the necessary conditions for international transit traffic and by meeting the needs of the Bulgarian economy and population. Structural reform in transport to a great extent depends on a sustainable investment policy. At present, prevailing conditions are likely to attract investments, especially to the airports of Sofia and Bourgas. In recent years, the Bulgarian State Railways (“BDZh”) has lagged behind in its development in comparison with the other transport modes in the country and the railways in other European countries. The rehabilitation of the railways is crucial not only for BDZh itself but also for the entire country because the railways are the backbone of the international transport corridors that cross Bulgaria. The management of the Ministry of Transport considers privatization a significant element of the structural reform in the branch.

The introduction details how expanding Bulgaria's political, economic, and cultural cooperation with the countries of Asia is a major priority of the Bulgarian government policy, and how transport plays a key role in the implementation of this priority both by providing the necessary conditions for international transit traffic and by meeting the needs of the Bulgarian economy and population. Part I addresses how structural reform in transport to a great extent depends on a sustainable investment policy. Part II focuses on the opportunities which investment in airports present. Part III addresses the advantages of investment in ports. Part IV focusses on Bulgarian State Railways. Finally, Part V addresses how privatization intersects with each of these transport sectors and is a significant element of structural reform.

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