Agreement regarding the Macedonia Corridor-10 Electronic Toll Collection System Project has been signed Thursday between the Turkish company Aselsan and Macedonian Public Enterprise for State Roads.

The project is worth €18.7 million of which €15 million are provided from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the rest from state budget. The new E-toll collection system should be operational within 18 months.

Aselsan vice-president Suat Bengür and Director of the Macedonian Public Enterprise for State Roads Ljupco Georgievski in attendance of Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski and Transport Minister Mile Janakieski signed the agreement.

The agreement also foresees modernization of the toll collection system at the existing toll stations: Petrovec, Sopot and Otovica and construction and equipping of four new toll stations along Corridor-10.

Agreement signing is another step of the government in direction to investing in transport infrastructure i.e. on roads along the pan-European Corridor X in Macedonia, which covers 70% of the entire trade of goods in the country, Deputy PM Stavreski said at agreement signing ceremony.

Transport Minister Mile Janakieski said that although electronic toll payment will be introduced not a single employed Public Enterprise for State Roads will be dismissed.

Director Georgievski said that reconstruction and modernisation of toll collection system can help alleviate traffic congestion and decrease time spent commuting.

Suat Bengür said that the system which will be installed is used in Turkey for more than 15 years in conditions of heavy traffic. The system installed in Macedonia will be more advanced version of this system. Aselsan hopes that the project will help in improving already good relations between the two countries, Bengür said.