The Regional Development Ministry in Bulgaria has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation to pave the way for public-private partnerships in the water and wastewater industries. Some US$ 300,000 (EUR 233,000) of the US$ 1.5 (EUR 1.2) million comes from the state. The co-financing is designed to help Bulgaria meet targets for these sectors prior to acceding to the EU.

Meanwhile the privatised water utility operator, Sofiyska Voda, is looking for a 70% rise in household tariffs to 1.44 levs/m3 (EUR 0.74/m3) in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. The Municipality of Sofia has extended the concession until October but has refused to agree the utility's business plan and is recommending that the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission reject the price rises.

Related news: Bulgaria/Romania: Water Investments Planned to Meet EU Accession Requirements, Source, 1 Jul 2002

Source: Water 21Global News Digest, 28 Jul 2006