Ohrid, 2 November 2023 (MIA) - In spite of all challenges we have faced - health, economic and energy crises - the Government has not neglected the road infrastructure development, because otherwise we would give up on creating opportunities. Today's global economy and competitive progress of every country imposes the need for most efficient travel and transport of commodities and people. If we want to have better links with neighboring states and the main trading paths, quality transport infrastructure is a must. This enlarges North Macedonia's access to global markets and ensures easier, safer and faster export. We stimulate regional cooperation, we facilitate cooperation with neighbors and our participation at regional markets, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told the first conference on road infrastructure, organized by the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia in Ohrid on Thursday.

PM Kovachevski said the Government has been in a large investment cycle for rehabilitation of road infrastructure across the country, including sections Kjafasan-Albania border, Kumanovo-Stracin, Rankovce-Kriva Palanka-Deve Bair, Veles-Gradsko, Bitola-Medzitlija, Skopje-Blace, Katlanovo-Veles, Strumica-Dabile etc.

He added that the road infrastructure development created opportunities to connect people and improve citizens' lives, with over EUR 1 billion invested in road construction and rehabilitation over the past five years.

"Out goal is that North Macedonia has better road links with neighboring countries, because it will result in integration in regional and European economic networks, thus facilitating cross-border trade and cooperation. Over the next four years, the country will annually build 23km of motorways along Corridors VIII and X, ensuring an increase of the trade volume and creating possibilities for potential rise in exports, making the country a more attractive destination for new investments that will open new jobs," said Kovachevski.

Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski said the construction industry is one of the main pillars of the economy, with a 5-7 percent share in the GDP over the past decade, hiring over 50,000 workers.

"Every denar invested in the construction of roads, railways, gas pipelines represents an investment for future generations, economic development and prosperity of North Macedonia. Investments also have an added value for the development of domestic companies and in producing professionals. Our future efforts should focus on the synergy between the education process and the construction sector," said Minister Bochvarski.

On the other hand, First Deputy PM Artan Grubi criticized the long-standing delays in the construction of the Ohrid-Kichevo motorway section, which is not completed even after ten years.

"Construction was launched in 2013 with a budget of EUR 400 million, today it has surpassed EUR 600 million and there is not a meter of highway put into use. The deadline is until the end of this year and I think it is high time the Government and the Parliament revise this contract, even terminate it and give it to someone else because this is already scandalous and unacceptable. Criminal proceedings should be initiated for inappropriate planning. Eleven new landslides have emerged along the road. These are intentional errors in the planning that lead to infinite delays, not to mention the traffic accidents that happen along the section. Our lives have gone by waiting for the project to be completed," said Grubi.

About 30 panelists will take part at the two-day conference in Ohrid, discussing the circumstances in which the construction sector finds itself, the financial resources and workforce available to domestic companies in the field.

Photo: MIA