- Published: 20.03.2006.
Presentation of the Project 'Port of Ploče'
‘In addition to investments into other state ports, the Croatian Government particularly focuses on the Port of Ploče, the second largest Croatian port, which, as the starting and final point of Corridor Vc represents an export port for the wider region’, said Božidar Kalmeta, Minister of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development at today’s press conference organized at the Ministry.
‘The Government of the Republic of Croatia considers this Project economically justified because it is based on a real mid-term projection of the turnover in the Port of Ploče’, added Kalmeta thanking the World Bank for recognizing the efforts of the Republic of Croatia directed on the modernization of the port system which will foster the economic development of the southern part of Croatia, but also the region as a whole.
Anand Seth, the World Bank Director for Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania stated that the World Bank was satisfied with the visible progress in the project preparation since the Project concept was accepted in August 2005. The Bank supported the TTI Project as an important regional initiative that would benefit Croatia and develop EU’s Corridor Vc.
He explained that by supporting the Project’s goal which is to foster trade and transport in the region as well as by supporting South Dalmatia economically, the World Bank was helping the Government’s growth strategy which was embedded into the European accession process.
Seth refused media allegations that Bosnia and Herzegovina would real all the benefit from the project or that the World Bank would grant Croatia a loan provided that the Ploče Port would be sold to Bosnian companies. He pointed out that both countries would gain from that Project. Croatia would be able to return all the invested money, as well as have a port which would be able to finance itself, while Bosnian companies would be offered the chance for economic recovery.
‘The Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development and the World Bank have secured a grant in the value of USD 25 000 for defining appropriate forms of a public-private partnerships and for drafting a master plan as well as for running a preliminary economic and financial analysis of the Project. The Ploče Port Authority has received from the World Bank financial means in the value of USD 1.7 million for the speedy preparation of the Project, the EBRD has secured another USD 50 000 grant for the feasibility studies', stated the team-leader of the Project Gerald Olivier.
