EBRD and Serbia Agree Credit of EUR 85 Million for Financing of Construction of Nis-Plocnik Highway Section – Tendering in Early November

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has agreed with the Serbian authorities a loan of EUR 85 million for the financing of a part of the so-called Peace Highway, from Nis to Plocnik, and the tendering will open in early November, Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Regional Director for Western Balkans at the EBRD, told Tanjug.

Hargitai says that the only thing needed is for the new government to be formed, to sign the loan agreement.

– However, what's even better news is that the tenders are ready and that they will open in early November. So, as soon as we sign the financing agreement, the realization begins – Hargitai said.

The first section of the Peace Highway is Nis-Merdare, of 77 km. For the first section from Nis to Plocnik, whose construction will cost around EUR 250 million, a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) of EUR 100 million and a grant of EUR 40.6 million from within the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) have already been secured. The remaining funds will come from the Serbian budget.

The total estimated value of the full-profile (six lanes) highway of Nis-Merdare is EUR 1.065 billion, and the project would be carried out in phases.

The beginning of the works on the Nis-Plocnik section, according to the current plan, is expected in mid-2021 at the latest.

EBRD Evropska banka za obnovu i razvoj Beograd

EBRD London

EIB

Evropska investiciona banka EIB

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EBRD

European Investment Bank

EIB

International Development Finance Corporation

DFC

Exim Bank

Zsuzsanna Hargitai

John Jovanovic

Plocnik

Merdare

Durres

credit

Peace Highway

financing agreement

Western Balkans Investment Framework

WBIF

Corridor 10

Adriatic Sea