RETROSPECTIVE 2012 - Investments in TRANSPORTATION that attracted greatest attention of eKapija users

eKapija`s investment team has recently done an analysis and formed a rank list of investments and investment ideas that attracted the greatest attention of eKapija users in 2011. The results are very interesting, some are expected, but there is a plenty of surprises, which is why we`ve decided to share this information with you.

We present you the most interesting projects in the field of TRANSPORTATION.

It is yet to be seen whether the construction of Corridor XI will send the Ibarska main route into history, but what has definitely entered the history of Belgrade is the public transportation ticketing system - BusPlus. Both those who ride on a bus and those avoiding public transportation were interested in finding out when traffic jams would be reduced. Construction of an interchange near the Pancevo Bridge has somewhat lessened the collapse, which should be totally gone with the construction of the Zemun-Borca Bridge. Prokop will relieve the city center of traffic congestion, while the problem with pedestrians at Slavija Square will be solved with the construction of underpasses.

When it comes to construction projects, 2012 was a busy year in Belgrade, and almost all projects on this list are based in the capital city. Most of them involved the construction of transportation routes, there are three projects concerning logistics and cargo transportation, and the list also includes an airport as well as an interesting garage concept.

Corridor XI has overshadowed Corridor X, ranking first on the 2012 list. It is for certain that the Azerbaijani company Azvirt is going to build about 40 kilometers of road between Ljig and Preljina. Shortly before the New Year, a preliminary agreement was signed with China's Shandong Hi-Speed Group on the construction of two highway sections - from Ub to Obrenovac and from Lajkovac to Ljig, 50 kilometers long in total. According to the latest information, two highway sections on Corridor XI - the one connecting Belgrade and Obrenovac and the other between Preljina and Pozega, will most probably be built using a concession model.

The new year also brought us new tickets for public transportation in Belgrade - electronic ones. If we ignore ironic comments that with all the old and broken vehicles, all we needed is an electronic ticketic system, and if we turn a blind eye to political comments about how and under what conditions Apex Solution Technology Beograd won a contract to supply this ticketing system for public transportation in Belgrade, we can only conclude that the daily needs of our readers contributed to this project's ranking on the list, securing it the second place.

(the Pancevo interchange in Belgrade)

The third-ranked project is the interchange near the Pancevo Bridge, which was opened in December 2012, when it was promised that traffic in that part of the capital would no longer give drivers a headache. However, the situation on the ground is somewhat different, and a large number of drivers still make a mistake when on that interchange by taking the road to Mirijevo instead of accessing the Pancevo Bridge.

The Chinese are building a bridge across the Danube in a disciplined manner, making sure to follow the schedule, and the real relief of traffic congestion is expected in 2014, when this grandiose bridge will be opened. The story of this bridge connecting Borca and Zemun ranks fourth on our list.

After a meeting between Djilas, Mrkonjic and Ilic, we learned that nobody impedes the construction of the Prokop railway station, which ranks fifth on the list. There were rumors that the City of Belgrade was hindering the implementation of that project, but it was agreed in the end to commence works in March. The project will be partially financed with the proceeds of a Kuwaiti loan in the amount of USD 25 million, whereas the rest of the funding (another USD 25 million) required to build access roads will be sought from prospective investors. One of such investors may be China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building the Zemun-Borca Bridge.

(the Vojvode Stepe Street project)

The sixth-ranked investment in 2012, and probably a candidate for the top of the list in 2013, is the reconstruction of Vojvode Stepe Street. The first tenants have already moved into the Stepa Stepanovic neighborhood, which has a direct access to this street, so that new automobiles and people will make this area even more crowded, and we cannot imagine what will happen when the reconstruction begins...

Milsped's logistics center ranks seventh on this list. A leading company in the field of transportation is going to build a 16,000 square meter warehouse. The value of this new investment is approximately EUR 9 million.

The eighth place goes to the reconstruction of Slavija Square. A multi-level or light water fountain, water mirror, aquarium in pedestrian underpasses, hiking trail in downtown Belgrade – these are all ideas suggested for the regeneration of Slavija Square. How this famous square in the capital city will definitely look like in the future is going to be decided during this year.

The ninth-ranked project is the logistics center Lagermax in Simanovci, which ceremoniously opened its gates as early as in December although its construction commenced in March.

Finally, along with new bridges, roundabouts and traffic organization, the bypass around Belgrade will definitely contribute to a higher quality of life in the capital city. This project ranks tenth, and its completion is impeded by nothing but money.

One more thing - have you already read which projects attracted your greatest attention in the categories of AGRICULTURE AND FOOD INDUSTRY, REAL ESTATE, INDUSTRY, TOURISM, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION and TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND IT.