site.btaIvan Shishkov Takes Over as Bulgaria’s Regional Development Minister, Outlines Road Infrastructure Priorities

The newly appointed Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Shishkov, officially took over the post from his predecessor Nikolay Naydenov during a symbolic ceremony at the ministry on Friday.

Shishkov said that among his first tasks will be addressing the poor condition of regional roads, the lack of prepared projects for key motorway sections, and a landslide affecting the Smolyan-Pamporovo road. He said that the current state of transport infrastructure is the result of significant public spending that has been unevenly distributed across the country’s regions.

“We have a clear programme for how to resolve these issues and confidence that we can turn ideas into reality,” Shishkov said, adding that he would ensure transparency in the ministry’s work.

Nikolay Naydenov said he had handed over a file containing information on the most important achievements by sector, pending tasks, and future ideas. He voiced satisfaction with the work carried out during the caretaker government’s term and noted alignment with the new minister on the ministry’s policies and operational approach.

Naydenov also advised Shishkov to launch public procurement procedures as quickly as possible, given that resources under more than half of the contracts for current road maintenance and repair are being exhausted.