Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The new team of the Ministry of transport, Information technology and Communications presented its priorities during a press conference today, where the new deputy-ministers Kamen Kichev and Ivaylo Moskovski have been introduced to the mass-media. Minister Tsvetkov said that a third deputy-minister has been appointed for the sphere of information technology and communications. He will be also introduced after the transformation of the functions of the State Agency for Information technology and Communications.

The support of the business under the conditions of economic crisis is one of the priorities which the new administration will strive to fulfil, emphasized Minister Tsvetkov.  Urgent and adequate measures are needed to be taken for this purpose, together with the branch organizations, in order to ensure a good business environment.

 Drastic tighten of the business discipline, decrease of the unnecessary expenses and the functioning of all structures under the conditions of a finance crisis is the second priority of the new team. MTITC and its structures have already started activities to reduce the costs with 15%, which is about 3.5 millions Leva. The decrease of the boards members will allow the saving of another 700 000 Leva annually.

The Minister of transport, Information Technology and Communications Aleksandar Tsvetkov declared that the third main priority is the stabilizing of the situation in the railways.  The plight of the railway transport demands reduction of the expenses and unnecessary administrative structures, in order to ensure their normal functioning for the next period of time, he also said. In the next week several meetings with the social partners will be carried out, in order to co-ordinate the necessary measures and actions for the stabilizing of the railway transport.

In order to fulfil one of the promises that we gave, we undertook to make an inspection of all big deals, as well as of the administration of the companies and the structures in the system of the ministry, in order to show to the public what really happened, said minister Tsvetkov.    

The first bargain which was checked is already a fact - namely the contract for purchasing of two governmental airplanes for the needs of Air Squad 28.

 The financial means needed for the next leasing-payment, which must be paid tomorrow, are not available in the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications. 101% of the capital expenditures are already made and used. Till the end of the year the Ministry has resources only for its costs, said the minister of transport. We will contest the bargain, as the airplanes do not fulfil the technical requirements, given in the technical characteristics. These airplanes are not able to make transcontinental flights without landing for fuel load.   

It is economic not advisable under the economic crisis conditions 110 millions Leva to be given for two second hand airplanes. "Is this the anti-crisis plan of the "Stanishev Cabinet? - The Purchase of airplanes for a long-term repayment, asked Minister Tsvetkov the former government. More over there is a clause in the contract which reads that if the transport ministry does not pay the instalment within 5 days, the contract could be dissolved.    

For additional information:
Vera Deianova, Press Centre,
Ministry of Transport, Information Technology
and Communications
Phone: 940 95 34
E-Mail: vdeianova@mt.government.bg