Ft 1,800 bln to be spent on transportation developments in 2007-2013

Spending on transportation developments will amount to Ft 1,400 billion –Ft 1,800 billion during the 2007-2013 EU budget period, undersecretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs Balázs Felsmann said on Friday. Capital for developments will also come from public-private partnerships, Felsmann said. Hungary's Trans Development Operative Program for the period is still being drawn up, but talks with public interest groups on the scheme are expected to start at the end of September, Felsmann said. After concentrating on building motorways during the past several years, the ministry aims to focus more on developing the country's network of connecting roads, as well as public transportation. Rail and water transport will also become priorities in order to provide an alternative to roads, which account for 80% of all goods transport. Felsmann noted that transport through Hungary would increase after neighbouring Romania and Bulgaria join the EU at the start of 2007, requiring further transport developments. (Mti-Eco)