In his interview Gaidarov states that NRIC has concluded 2004 with better financial results than envisaged under the business plan. The forecast loss was BGN35.48 million, while the actual loss was BGN13.818 million. This is mainly due to increased revenue from infrastructure charges as BDZ EAD carried out more transport. The main efforts were concentrated upon the implementation of the rehabilitation programme 'Mechanised renewal of 414 km of track'.

About BGN5.829 million from the state budget were allocated for the reconstruction of railway lines and facilities. Fifty kilometres of track were repaired. The reconstruction works are carried out with own funds. The objective is to utilise the scarce financial resources of the company for a large volume of repair works. In 2004, the investments in the reconstruction of stations amounted to more than BGN7.650 million. For the acquisition of new fixed assets BGN12.650 million were allocated. Construction and assembly works were carried out for the following projects: Electrification of the railway line Dragoman-Kalotina (border); Doubling and electrification of the railway line Karnobat-Sindel; Traction substation Dimitrovgrad; railway tracks at Drujba station, etc. The main problem is the insufficient financial means.

The reconstruction works of more than 2000 km of tracks along the major railway lines have been delayed. The implementation of these reconstruction works requires about BGN2 billion. The maximum speed along the major lines is 20-24% lower than the design speed. The condition of interlocking and telecommunication systems is deteriorating due to lack of investment. This is the reason why a very large percentage of the systems, equipment and devices are outdated and much of the necessary reconstruction is postponed.

All track reconstruction works are in line with the implementation of the long-term programme, developed by NRIC, aimed at improving traffic speeds so that they reach designed values and at guaranteeing safe and secure train movement. The implementation of this programme requires about BGN2.5 billion.

The main priority is the harmonisation and integration into the European railway network, the improvement of railway infrastructure along the Pan-European transport corridors on our country's territory and the improvement of conditions for the development of combined transport services. The company considers as its main tasks the implementation of: "The project for reconstruction and electrification of the railway line Plovdiv - Svilengrad, allowing for speeds of 160/200 km/h", the Projects for upgrading the railway line Sofia-Plovdiv and Plovdiv-Burgas (which is a part of the Project for upgrading the railway line Sofia-Plovdiv-Burgas/Varna), "The modernisation of the railway line Vidin-Sofia-Kulata", "The modernisation of the railway line Brusartsi-Lom", "The modernization of interlocking and telecommunication equipment in the section Blagoevgrad-Kulata", the project for "Modernization of the railway line Sofia-Kalotina Zapad".

The main objective of the project "Development of a strategy for the integration of the Bulgarian railway infrastructure into the European network for intermodal transport", implemented under the PHARE programme is the future development of the intermodal transport system and the higher quality of freight transport services on the territory of Bulgaria. The implementation of this project will give further opportunities for the expansion of the Pan-European intermodal network and the improvement of transport links between Europe and Asia; it will enable the analysis of the options for establishment of logistic transport links for multimodal transport; it will outline the need for construction, reconstruction or modernizsation of a particular type of intermodal infrastructure at particular locations; it will be the basis for the elaboration of a plan for the implementation of the strategy and the identification of all legal measures for the participation of NRIC in public-private partnerships for the construction of intermodal infrastructure.

The Programme for maintenance of railway infrastructure includes annual measures for attaining and maintaining the design speeds of tracks and facilities, improvement of energy system of NRIC, modernisation of signalling, telecommunications and power supply for the railway infrastructure in the period 2005-2014.

By 2007 it is necessary to improve the indicators of the railway network in order to attain the designed parameters of the Bulgarian railway infrastructure in the line sections along the Pan-European transport corridors. The parameters to be reached are as follows: doubled and electrified railway lines; attaining designed speeds of the track and facilities up to 160 km/h; railway track load capacity in compliance with standard D4; catenary line and signalling and telecommunication systems, allowing traffic speed of up to 200 km/h.

In strategic terms, the business activity is oriented towards the provision of access and services to railway operators, licences and certified in compliance with the Railway transport Act. The management of the company aims at catching up with the leading European railway administrations, which conduct a flexible and transparent policy.