EIB analyzing feasibility of Nis-Merdare-Pristina highway – Approval for first section worth EUR 240 million in the second half of 2018

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has started assessing the feasibility of the Nis-Merdare-Pristina, Dubravka Negre, Head of EIB Regional Representation for the Western Balkans, told Tanjug and added that the financing of the first section, from Nis to Plocnik, was expected to be approved in the second half of 2018.

Negre said that the value of the works in the first phase (the Nis-Plocnik section) was around EUR 240 million and that Serbia was expected to receive at least 20% of it as grants, whereas the rest was to be financed through EIB and EBRD loans.

She added that the EIB, together with the Ministry of Construction, had initiated the evaluation of the project. According to her, the first phase of the construction, encompassing the 35 km of the Nis-Plocnik section, is absolutely economically feasible, as there is more traffic than the existing road can take.

– I expect the analysis to be completed in the second half of the year and that the financing would be approved.

When it comes to the second phase, Negre says that the construction of the remaining sections will begin in several years, once the project documentation is ready.

– We are financing the preparation of the documentation and when the time comes for it we will be ready to consider the financing of the continuation of the project as well – Negre said.

The EIB will continue investing in the development of science in Serbia as well, that is, in the construction of science-technology parks, Negre said at the Serbian Property and Infrastructure Development Conference in Belgrade and added that the bank was increasing the amount of grants for preparation and realization of projects and that they would continue aiding Serbia’s development and its connections in the region, all to the end of joining the EU.

She also reminded that an agreement on the financing of the electrification of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad railway had been signed recently, for which purpose EUR 70 million of grants, as well as EUR 130 million in EIB loans, had been secured. The railway will provide a better connection between Serbia and Bulgaria.

Evropska investiciona banka EIB

EBRD Evropska banka za obnovu i razvoj Beograd

Ministarstvo građevinarstva, saobraćaja i infrastrukture Republike Srbije

TGI Group International d.o.o. Beograd

EIB

Nis Merdare Pristina highway

Nis Plocnik highway

Plocnik

Nis Pristina highway

Nis Dimitrovgrad highway

electrification of Nis Dimitrovgrad railway

Dubravka Negre

reconstruction of Nis Dimitrovgrad railway

Serbian Property & Infrastructure Development Conference

TGI