A discussion meeting was held between Sofiyska Voda AD and the construction sector in search of dialogue, solutions and actions for the sustainable development of the capital on the initiative of the water operator. The focus of the discussion became the company’s ambition to upgrade its digital services for a faster and more efficient provision of the information needed by the construction companies in the investment design process. In that respect, a project for digitalization of the company’s technical services was presented.  

For the first time, the water operator will also introduce a new service for consultation before property acquisition relating to the WSS infrastructure. The service is expected to be launched by the end of the year. 
The meeting was opened by Vasil Trenev, Executive Director of Sofiyska Voda AD. The Chief Architect of the Municipality of Sofia Arch. Zdravko Zdravkov and the Vice Mayor of Construction Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, as well as representatives of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber and the National Association of Construction Entrepreneurs participated in the discussion. 

During the discussion, Vasil Trenev, Executive Director of Sofiyska Voda AD, part of Veolia, summarized: “The way to respond to the construction pace in Sofia and ensure continuous high-quality water services passes exactly through such open and constructive dialogue. It is in this way that we can highlight what is important and decisive, which guides our activities in sync with the Municipality of Sofia and in accordance with the effective regulatory framework. We also want to highlight how we are modernizing our services to save time and efforts to the construction sector. I believe that we had a fruitful conversation and mutual understanding was achieved. And we know that it all depends on us.”
Details on the interaction between the WSS operator and the construction sector in the investment design process were presented by the company’s Deputy Executive Director Stanislav Stanev. 

Possibilities for optimizing the timeframes and the administrative procedures in the communication between the sides to the construction process were also discussed. 
On his part, the Vice Mayor of Construction Eng. Angel Dzhorgov assured that a working group would be set up asap with the participation of all stakeholders, which would propose specific texts for legislative amendments in order to optimize the procedures for expropriation of land intended for the construction of public infrastructure, for which legislative amendments were required. Also, easing of the administrative procedures for the issuance of a construction permit would be sought, as well as shortening of the timeframes in the implementation of all steps in the construction and commissioning of a property.

“Although Parliament has to adopt statutory amendments, I think that the Municipality of Sofia, the Construction Chamber and the association of the construction investors, including the companies operating on the territory of the capital, must all be active, because the problem is mainly on the territory of our municipality. We took a decision to set up that working group literally within 1-2 weeks. Anyone with an opinion and views on the issue may make proposals to the text that will be prepared,” summarized Dzhorgov. 
The Chief Architect of Sofia Zdravko Zdravkov added: “Our final goal is improving work and life in the city. The last few years we have witnessed very serious dynamics in the investment process. I hope we are useful to you and we can be partners. We are the two sides of a coin.”
In connection with this, the representatives of the construction sector made a number of proposals related to optimizing the investment design processes for properties, which would later be discussed. 

With the new services and the commitment for innovation, Sofiyska Voda AD, part of Veolia, reaffirms its position as a leading company in the sector, guaranteeing the comfort and satisfaction of its customers, as well as its active support for the sustainable development of Sofia.