Czech companies have expressed interest in Sofia-based energy and infrastructure projects, Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek told journalists on November 9 2007. Topolanek made his statement when leaving a meeting with Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov, mediapool.bg reported.

CEZ, the incumbent owner of Sofia power distribution company, has long been interested in the Sofia heating utility, Toplofikatsia-Sofia.
Topolanek has also communicated Czech companies' interest in projects for combined heating and electric power production, as well as in the construction of tram lines and in Sofia lighting building projects.

Prague and Sofia, according to the Czech PM, shared the same problems, namely infrastructure, sewerage, protection of cultural-historical monuments, among others. There was ground for co-operation in all these fields, as well as in education and culture, Topolanek noted.

Boiko Borissov told journalists that if Czech companies expressed interest, they were welcome to partake in the tender to extend the Sofia underground.

He added that the Sofia Municipality has filed the paperwork for EU financing of new underground extensions with the European Commission. Once the EC gives the go-ahead, Sofia Municipality will open the tender to build the new underground sections.