Bulgaria's BRIA Partners with World Bank for Strategic Road Sector Development

Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) are a World Bank offering designed to support middle- and high-income countries upon request.

The Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency (BRIA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the World Bank, formalized through a Reimbursable Advisory Services Agreement signed today by Yordan Valchev, Chairman of BRIA’s Management Board, and Lasse Melgaard, World Bank Resident Representative for Bulgaria, Czechia, and Slovakia. This collaboration, set to span the next 30 months, aims to enhance Bulgaria's road sector through strategic planning and the implementation of best practices.

The World Bank will provide BRIA with vital expertise in areas including road financing for new construction and maintenance, climate resilience, and improving the agency's overall efficiency and effectiveness. The focus will be on long-term sector development, helping to ensure sustainable investments and efficient revenue collection.

“This engagement is yet another demonstration of the World Bank’s global knowledge and it builds upon our decade-long partnership in the sector," said Lasse Melgaard. "Since 2015, we have provided strategic advice in road assets management, maintenance and planning, road safety monitoring, and the introduction of the e-tolling system in Bulgaria. We are delighted to continue bringing the best of our experience to this critical sector for the benefit of all Bulgarians."

Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) are a World Bank offering designed to support middle- and high-income countries upon request. These services include advisory, analytical, and implementation support, with costs reimbursed by the client country. This flexible instrument allows the World Bank to tailor its support to the specific needs of countries, enhancing the effectiveness of development initiatives.

The partnership between BRIA and the World Bank is expected to significantly contribute to the sustainable development of Bulgaria’s road infrastructure, ensuring it meets the demands of the future while improving safety and efficiency.