The parliament passed in first reading the proposed by the cabinet draft law for providing aid to the state railroad carrier BDZ in the amount of up to BGN 140mn (EUR 71.6mn), mediapool.bg reported. The company will use the proceeds to cover outstanding liabilities to banks and to repair wagons and locomotives. The loan is guaranteed by the state and shell be returned when the company receives a BGN 460mn WB loan. The latter will be granted only in case of reforms of the railroad carrier and will be used to increase its capital. We remind that in December, the European Commission authorised state financing of BGN 249mn (EUR 127mn) for BDZ. The EC has asked the loan to be repaid in six months and the interest rate to be at 5.15%. The authorities have presented a detailed rehabilitation plan before the EC, which is now pending approval.