[REVISION HISTORY]

Bulgarian infrastructure procurement and oversight reforms

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2026-10-18 17:11 UTC → 2026-10-18 17:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Bulgaria has initiated a series of reforms to increase oversight and accountability in public procurement and infrastructure construction. Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov announced that inspections will expand beyond documentation reviews to include direct on-site assessments of construction quality. This measure is intended to ensure that national and European Union funds are used for high-quality infrastructure rather than mere fund absorption. Following reports of fraud involving false documentation and unfinished projects, the government has introduced a new financing model for major highway projects, such as the Hemus Motorway and the Montana-Vidin motorway. To prevent the misuse of funds, the state will move away from advance payments in favor of deferred payments over five to six years, contingent upon proven quality. Additionally, the Directorate for National Construction Control (DNSK) will conduct monthly on-site inspections of all major infrastructure sites. Legal actions have already been initiated, with the mayors of Asenovgrad and Lovech referred to the prosecutor’s office following discoveries of financial abuse. Expanding on these transparency efforts, the Ministry of Finance has proposed a mandate requiring all payments within the construction sector—including contracts for installation, material deliveries, and equipment—to be made via bank transfers to ~~“improve~~ ‘improve the traceability of financial flows and prevent revenue concealment, undeclared employment, and the use of fictitious ~~expenses.”~~ expenses.’ Recent developments indicate ongoing systemic challenges. The Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) reported a surge in public procurement complaints, with 905 active proceedings as of October 2026. CPC Chairman Rosen Karadimov noted that over four-fifths of these involve municipal procurement, with a focus on combating tender manipulation and the abuse of appeal rights. ~~Simultaneously, the Ministry of Transport~~ Further scrutiny has ~~suspended over €355 million in railway infrastructure procurement at~~ targeted the ~~National Railway Infrastructure Company (NKZHI) and terminated contracts worth more than €20 million.~~ railway sector.

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