Outgoing Minister Bostan endorses building smart city in Alba Iulia

Over 45 companies have shown interest in contributing to the creation of a “smart city” prototype in Alba Iulia by 2018, Marius Bostan, the outgoing Minister of Communications and for Information Society said upon presenting a report of activities at the end of his term in office.

“We launched and we have already received support from over 45 companies, to use their own money, to build a prototype of “smart city” by 2018. Despite having a limited mandate, we nevertheless addressed this call to the industry and the industry offered support, they came by my side and we already have 45 companies that showed their availability to contribute, by 1 december 2018, when we celebrate 100 years since the Great Union, to have a historic city, Alba Iulia, a 2,000 years-old city, to have it as a city of the future, to be an example for the other municipalities and not only for our country but for other cities in other countries as well.

“We launched and we have already received support from over 45 companies, of their money to build an example of Smart City until 2018. Although we have taken a reduced term, however, we launched the industry and the calling me support came with me and we already have over 45 companies that have shown willingness to contribute up to 1 December 2018 when celebrating 100 years of the Great Union, we have a historical town, Alba Iulia, an old town of 2,000 years, to have a city of the future, to be an example for other municipalities and not so much for our country and for cities in other countries. I expect 2018 to Alba Iulia more than 1,000 mayors across 2 million tourists and are convinced it will be a success and will be continued with the ministry of local government and in partnership with private companies, “said Marius Bostan.

The outgoing minister said the Ministry of Communications was involved in a process of building a concept involving the collection of good practices and opening new communications channels, with the purpose of drafting well-structured guidelines developed in while taking into account the legal framework.

The term of “smart city” is used to describe cities that use intensively new, smart technologies designed to improve public services, raising the comfort level of citizens in urban and rural areas, and to streamlining resources consumption and cutting expenses on the medium and long term.

During the press conference, Bostan stated that the decision to replace him at the helm of the Ministry of Communications belonged to PM Dacian Ciolos, and is a decision he respects. “It is the prime minister’s decision. The PM is the head of government. It is a reform, a replacement… It is a decision of the prime minister, it is not my decision. I respect it and I keep on supporting the good things I believe this government will accomplish,” Bostan said.

Georgeta Gheorghe