Romania’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is overseeing the country’s drive to upgrade its transport systems. Anca-Daniela Boagiu, former Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure explains, “The Ministry has implemented new regulations in order to attract international investment and financing for infrastructure and transport projects, and we have been able to sign contracts for projects worth €2 billion financed by the European Commission. The Ministry hopes to finalise tenders of another almost €2 billion by the end of this year.”
Anca-Daniela Boagiu points out that Romania currently has a number of major infrastructure projects underway, including the construction of 434 km of motorway along Romania’s part of European corridor 4 and on the new A3 motorway linking Bucharest with Transylvania. The Ministry will complete a project to upgrade 500 km of national roads by the end of this year, and another 235 km of city bypasses have been financed and are soon to begin.
In 2012 and 2013, the Ministry plans to modernise 2,000 km of national roads. Former Minister Boagiu says, “The Ministry will be able to launch even more road construction projects thanks to the money we have earned through the tender process. This success was made possible through our introduction of strict rules regarding public procurement.”
Reform process key to infrastructure development
In fact, implementing reforms is a top priority for the Ministry. Anca-Daniela Boagiu says, “It is very important for Romania to have good relations with international funding organisations, but given the current European economic situation, it is also important to be proactive and work on reforms.”
Romania’s transport sector offers strong investment attractions, Anca-Daniela Boagiu believes. She says, “Romania is stable and managed to reduce its public (fiscal) deficit from 9% to 4% in 2010, and we will continue to do this in years to come. This success will help to improve Romania’s international image and draw international investment.” She adds that Romania’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure particularly encourages public private partnerships involving the construction and modernisation of Romania’s motorways, ports and logistics services. The Ministry is also working to get a major railway modernisation project off the ground.
Anca-Daniela Boagiu foresees significant improvements in Romania’s transport infrastructure over the next five years. She concludes, “We will have new direct links to our ports and a newly renovated international airport. Our infrastructure upgrades will speed up travelling, shipping and operating logistics services in Romania. There are a lot of opportunities and a lot of projects on the way. Investors will feel good about their investments and will feel safe here in Romania.”
