2024-03-30 10:20:01
Carriers can submit to the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) their applications for the payment of state aid to support the costs of stabilizing the transport industry from April 1 to 15, the API press center announced.
On February 23, the Council of Ministers (CoM) decided that transport enterprises will be supported with up to BGN 50 million of state aid under the measure “Aid to support costs for the stabilization of the transport industry in the Republic of Bulgaria”. There is a positive opinion from the European Commission (EC) regarding the provision of the aid for compatibility with the rules in the field of state aid, and this gives the opportunity to proceed with its payment. The fixed term for the provision of the aid is until June 30, 2024.
The purpose of the state aid provided is to support the transport industry, which has suffered significant damage since 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, global changes in trade routes and logistics chains, the significant increase in fuel prices and the need to reorientation of transport routes, leading to increased operating costs for companies.
According to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI), in the period since the start of the war, operating costs in the sector have increased significantly, putting serious pressure on the financial position of freight companies, jeopardizing their ability to offer competitive prices and maintain operational efficiency.
The decree of the Council of Ministers stipulates that the aid will be provided in the form of direct grants in the amount of up to BGN 4 million for transport companies that hold a license to transport goods. Its size will be determined on the basis of proportional distribution, using as a base the toll fees paid in 2023 by cars over 3.5 tons, the size of which is an indicator of the volume of transport carried out and will serve as a basis for determining the size of state aid.
The complete set of documents – application and declarations with their annexes, which transport companies must fill out and submit as accompanying documents, are published on the websites of API and the National Toll Administration, and can be downloaded here. The applications with the necessary accompanying documents are submitted to the office of the Road Infrastructure Agency at the address of the city of Sofia, Macedonia Blvd. No. 3.
Earlier today “BDZ-Passenger Transport” EOOD and “Deutsche Bahn” (Deutsche Bahn) signed a contract for the supply of 76 modernized passenger cars. The first 19 of the wagons will arrive in Bulgaria in April, and the remaining 57 will be delivered on schedule by the beginning of June.