Temjanovski, Riste (2012) The railway connection between Macedonia and Bulgaria: mode of strengthening economic collaboration. In: Trends and challenges in the economic development, 10-11 May, 2012, Varna, R.Bulgaria - University of Economics.
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Abstract
Macedonia sees the Black Sea region as a crucial geographical area primarily due to its significance in trade and energy routes. However, in the Macedonian case, the Black Sea region is seen in a narrow perspective regarding security issues, but in wider perspectives regarding economic and trade relations. Most freight and passenger traffic between the Macedonia and Bulgaria is transported by road. From a commercial point of view, Bulgaria is one of the fifths trading partners for Macedonia, and its business cooperation with these countries has increased in importance.
One mode of transport is consistently predominant and favored for Macedonian economy. Road transport was the main mode of transport used for trade with all trade countries with 92% by value and 89% by volume over the five years. Also showing a higher percentage in terms of volume than value, rail transport accounted only between 12-20% by volume and between 5-10% by value.
But what about the rail. Up to nowadays Macedonia and Bulgaria are not rail connected. The idea of connection directly Sofia and Skopje by rail dates back to mid-19th century. Two decades are planning the rail construction between Kumanovo-Beljakovce, towards the Bulgarian border to the east. This branch may be the first section of the link between the Macedonian Railways and the Bulgarian Railways, on Corridor VIII.
Investing in rail infrastructure is associated with lower total travel time, higher comfort and reliability, reduction in the probability of accident, and in some cases the release of extra capacity which helps to alleviate congestion in other modes of transport. Cross-border cooperation between neighboring authorities is intended to develop cross-border economic and social centers through joint strategies for sustainable territorial development. Improving the efficiency of transport and logistical flows will act as a catalyst for deeper EU–Macedonian integration, including Macedonian-Bulgarian transport connection.
Key words: rail transport, Corridor VIII, efficient transport system, regional development, sustainable development
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Social Sciences > Economics and business |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Economics |
| Depositing User: | Prof.d-r Riste Temjanovski |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2012 11:40 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Nov 2012 14:28 |
| URI: | https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/357 |
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