The Minister of Infrastructure, Peter Gašperšič, says the government is looking at different options for a public-private partnership, which would enable the construction of the 1,4 billion euro project second railway track between Koper and Divača.

According to the minister there are several models of public-private partnerships; the development of the logistics would be best stimulated with a third model, which would envisage a private investor going into the Luka Koper sea port and the Slovenske železnice railway company.

In the case of a lack of sufficient funding, additional funds from the budget- in other words taking out more loans – would also be an option.

Part of the funding for renovating the Slovenian rail network is supposed to come from Brussels – just under 300 million euros for the Koper-Divača second railway track alone. However even if Slovenia does submit a tender on time, it is still not certain that another country won't beat Slovenia to that money.

EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc supports the project, as it is part of the EU transport strategy. However, how the investment will be returned has to be thoroughly considered. Minister Gašperšič says the investment will return in 25 to 50 years, through concession fees and charges for usage.

Erna Strniša, Radio Slovenija;
translated by K. J.