27.01.2014

\"Bulgarian municipalities have submitted 1,050 call for proposals for financing under the Growth and Sustainable Development of Regions Public Investment Programme totaling BGN 1.943 billion and the summary list of application forms is 113 pages, which is impressive\". That is how Minister of Finance Petar Chobanov, who chairs the Inter-institutional Council for the examination, prioritization and selection of projects and calls for proposals for the purposes of implementation of the Public Investment Programme (PIP), opened its first meeting. Minister Chobanov emphasized that over the weekend Ministry of Finance experts processed the calls for proposals submitted by regional governors on Saturday so as to have their examination as quickly as possible. He reminded that around BGN 350 million would be appropriated for the financing of municipal projects. The remaining BGN 150 million would be granted to the central administration for regionally oriented projects as well. \"Our task will be to have a synergy between central and local authorities aiming at the sustainable development of the regions and bridging the gaps among them\", added Minister Chobanov.

By the end of this week the Inter-institutional Council will review, discuss and assess the technical and financial terms of the eligible calls for proposals on the basis of the 11 criteria published by CMD No 4 of 16 January 2014. All calls for proposals must be of regional or municipal importance. Their implementation should be aimed at economic growth, sustainable development of the regions, greater competitiveness of the economy and generation of jobs and income, recalled Minister Petar Chobanov.