About BGN 6 mln will be invested in construction of the first River Information Center in Bulgaria, which will provide 250 new work places. That became clear at the first sod ceremony, held today in Russe and attended by the Minister of transport, information technology and communications Ivaylo Moskovski.

According to minister Moskovski this is an important step for the realization of the Project ‘Implementation of River Information System on the Bulgarian stretch of the Danube River’ ( BULRIS). “European Commission defined Bulgarian part of the Danube river as very narrow, and that’s why we should work on projects that improve shipping” the minister added.

“As a country member of the EU we will develop and implement the system in the bulgarian part of the Danube. This is our obligation. I am glad that we managed to accelerate the process, part of the project is ready and now we start the contruction of the center that will control the whole system” the minister said.

"Russe is not only a major economic center in the country, but is starting to be more and more important in the area of the whole Danube river" said Ivailo Moskovski. "Danube Strategy will be among the top priorities for the next programming period" he added.

Within the next programming period OP "Transport" is expected to implement several projects in the region. "We set the goal in 2014 to build the intermodal terminal in Ruse and to restore the design parameters of the railway line Ruse - Varna" the minister added. According to him, these projects and the concession procedures will lead to more investments and more jobs.

Building RIS center is part of the activities under Phase 2 of the project "Establishment of River Information System in the Bulgarian part of the Danube - BULRIS." The project is funded by the Operational Programme "Transport" 2007-2013 under Priority Axis 4 "Improvement of the maritime and inland waterways." Beneficiary is the State Enterprise "Port Infrastructure".

The cost of the entire project "BULRIS" amounts to more than BGN 35 million, 85% of the funds will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund and 15% - from the state budget. The project should be finished in 2014.