All three freight sectors will continue to see positive growth over the medium to long term in Bulgaria, with the road sector faring particularly well out of the three, reaching -.- growth by ----. EU funding will help to ensure the development of the country s infrastructure whilst the government s efforts to modernise the rail network should add strength to its transport offering. ...Bulgaria has demonstrated its strength through the European economic crisis and growth in GDP looks set to improve with recovery promising to be widespread. Supported by EU structural and investment funds between now and ----, the country is working towards implementing its national reforms, with the freight sector likely to benefit from the expansion and improvement of the country s current transport infrastructure. Low oil prices and the weak Euro have helped Bulgaria s economic growth and encouraged investment in the country. ...Despite plans for an overhaul of the country s rail network, rail freight tonnage will increase only slowly over the short to medium term, rising from -.- growth to -.- growth by ----. This cannot be said for air freight which looks set to reduce its growth from -.- in ---- to -.- in ----.
...Competition from other countries and trade routes is the principal threat to Bulgaria s freight transport industry with lack of efficiency on the country s transport networks damaging its competitive advantage. Congestion and delays at the country s borders, caused by the migrant issue in the region, threaten to negatively impact on logistics companies and their transport speed and costs. ...Competition from other countries and trade routes is the principal threat to Bulgaria s freight transport industry with lack of efficiency on the country s transport networks damaging its competitive advantage. Congestion and delays at the country s borders, caused by the migrant issue in the region, threaten to negatively impact on logistics companies and their transport speed and costs. Any further delays in the modernisation of the rail network will impact on demand for rail services and in turn, on trade in the region. ...Any further delays in the modernisation of the rail network will impact on demand for rail services and in turn, on trade in the region. The increase in the price of annual vignette stickers for freight vehicles will add to the costs of transport as well as draw criticism from the industry.
...Bulgaria s freight transport industry does not yet have the necessary infrastructure to cope with any sustained increase in volumes. ...Bulgaria s freight transport industry does not yet have the necessary infrastructure to cope with any sustained increase in volumes. The country s road network is limited and parts of it are in poor condition. ...