At the initiative of the Minister of Transport and Communications Nikolay Sabev, at the beginning of the year, negotiations were launched with the French Republic to send to Bulgaria a high-level international expert to advise and support the reforms carried out in the national railway undertaking.
In connection with the ongoing restructuring actions for BDZ, the MTC received a letter from the Board of Directors of BDZ Holding EAD asking to provide an international expert in the company’s management to support the modernisation of the railway company through the merger of the subsidiaries for passenger and freight transport, as well as the overall renovation of the railway sector in Bulgaria.
The Board of Directors proposed an international expert to be appointed to the Board where the company’s most important management decisions are discussed and adopted. “This will give us the opportunity to consult future plans and processes in companies, and to use the European experience and good practices of leading railway companies,” the Board of Directors said in a statement.
As a result of high-level talks, a favourable opinion was received in early July by the French State confirming the nomination of an expert with extensive experience in the railway sector. The letter states that there was nominated a person which rich expertise can contribute to rehabilitate the state-owned railway company. The person has many years of experience in the French Railways, which are some of the best in Europe.
Minister Sabev’s idea of attracting international consultants received full support from the Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, who in March held a meeting on the topic with the French Minister of Economy, Finance and the Reconstruction of France Bruno Le Maire. The issue was also discussed at a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Bojidar Kostadinov and the Ambassador of the French Republic.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is about to take action to appoint the French expert.