President of Suceava County Council, Gheorghe ȘOLDAN: “The A7 Highway will be one of the essential pillars in the economic development of Suceava County”

The A7 Highway Project Represents a Strategic Investment for the Connectivity of Suceava County with the Rest of Romania and Europe

The A7 Highway will facilitate transport, stimulate the local economy, and bring new development opportunities to the county. In this context, we discuss with Gheorghe Șoldan, the elected President of Suceava County Council, about his plans for the county and the impact this infrastructure project will have on the economic and social development of the area.

What role do you think the A7 Highway will play in the economic development of Suceava County and in increasing connectivity with the rest of the country and Europe?

Regarding road transport, the A7 Highway will be one of the essential pillars in the economic development of Suceava County, alongside the Northern Highway and the network of county roads that I am determined to put in order, ensuring that we no longer have unmodernized county roads.

The A7 Highway is a successful project. I have said it before, and I repeat: it is the perfect formula with a Romanian contractor and under the mandate of the PSD Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu.

This highway will better connect Suceava with other economic centers in Romania and Europe, facilitating the rapid transport of goods and people. Moreover, it will open new opportunities for businesses, creating conditions for new investments that will generate higher incomes for the people of Suceava. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu recently stated in Suceava that the completion of the A7 Highway will have the same effect that the Bucharest-Constanța highway had, where, within a year, the revenues of Constanța County doubled.

What are the biggest challenges you anticipate in implementing the segments Pașcani – Suceava and Suceava – Siret, and how do you plan to collaborate with central authorities to overcome these challenges?

Challenges may include, as usual in Romania, securing funding and adhering to execution deadlines, but I know that this highway is funded by European funds, and I hope that serious contractors will be selected after the bidding process, like those currently working on other segments. I am confident that the Ministry of Transport will continue to be led by a PSD member in the coming years so that things go well.

It is essential to have effective collaboration with central authorities to simplify bureaucratic processes and avoid delays, and that is why we will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transport and the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration to overcome any obstacles.

How will the Suceava County Council support the local business environment to capitalize on the economic opportunities brought by the improved connectivity through the A7 Highway?

The Suceava County Council will implement measures to support the local business environment by creating industrial parks with quick connectivity to the highway. We will work intensively with investors, especially local entrepreneurs, to promote the county as an attractive business destination.

Additionally, we will provide consultancy and logistical support for small and medium-sized enterprises so that they can benefit from the new economic opportunities that this highway brings.

The A7 Highway Will Have a Major Impact on Tourism, Making Suceava County Much More Accessible for Tourists from Home and Abroad

What impact do you think the A7 Highway will have on tourism and the attractiveness of Suceava County for investors, considering the direct connection to Europe?

The A7 Highway will have a major impact on tourism, making Suceava County much more accessible for tourists from home and abroad.

Thanks to this high-speed road infrastructure, we will be able to develop tourist attractions in Bucovina, and at the same time, we will launch new campaigns to promote the area. I am confident that the highway will attract investors to the county in areas such as tourism, hospitality, and even agriculture, due to easy access to European markets. Therefore, I believe that Suceava will continue to be recognized as a top destination for tourists.

Collaboration with local authorities is essential for the success of such projects. How is the collaboration between the Suceava County Council and the localities affected by the highway route progressing?

Collaboration with municipalities is a priority for us. We have already discussed with some of the local authorities in the areas that the highway will traverse to identify situations that may generate dissatisfaction and to find common solutions.

We must ensure that all issues related to expropriations, infrastructure relocation, or environmental protection are effectively managed because the main objective is to have the highway operational as quickly as possible for the benefit of the entire county.

I aim for constant communication with both the municipalities and the residents to ensure a conflict-free implementation of the project and for everyone to benefit from this major project because with a strong infrastructure, we will also have a strong economy.