MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – Belarus counts on financial support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for repairing faulty bridges. The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Kukharev as he met with a delegation of the EBRD Board of Directors on 12 September, BelTA has learned.
Vladimir Kukharev said: “Thanks to the full-format strategy for cooperation with the bank this year we've signed a credit agreement on financing the reconstruction of the P80 automobile road. We've also started preparing the project for reconstructing major faulty bridges and overpasses.” Financial support from the EBRD could allow accomplishing these projects promptly.
Work continues to prepare the pilot project for modernizing the M10 motorway on public private partnership terms. “The EBRD was the first agency to respond to our request for support, including financial support, for the establishment of public private partnership mechanisms in Belarus. The Belarusian side practices a careful approach to preparing this project because its results will become the foundation for further development of public private partnership in the country,” stressed the deputy prime minister.
Belarus is ready to discuss a number of new investment projects with the EBRD. The projects could use grants from the regional fund of the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). In particular, it is necessary to improve the energy effectiveness of homes in Minsk. Resources granted by the fund can be close to €5 million. The modernization of water supply and wastewater disposal facilities in seven cities could be accomplished using some €12 million in grant money.
“We are intent on further expanding cooperation with the EBRD and stepping up the bank's operation in Belarus by exploring new avenues and formats of joint work and by increasing the volume of funding in existing projects,” assured Vladimir Kukharev.
Frans Weekers, EBRD Director for Netherlands, Mongolia, Macedonia, Armenia, and China, noted that the delegation had already held a number of fruitful meetings, including with representatives of the Economy Ministry and the central bank. He confirmed that the EBRD is intent on advancing cooperation with Belarus.
