The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is planning to invest up to 500 million euros in Bulgaria over the next three years, EBRD Country Director for Bulgaria John Chomel-Doe announcedThursday. He was presenting the Bank's 2002-2004 Country Strategy for Bulgaria, .EBRD prioritizes infrastructure (including the power industry), the financial sector, and private sector development. The European Bank is planning to share in the privatization of DSK Bank by acquiring between 10 and 20 per cent of its capital. EBRD has set up a special facility of up to 200 million euros in grant aid for the closure of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 to 4. Most of the funding in this Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund has been provided by the European Commission and will be available over a ten-year period. The Bank is planning to invest between 100 and 150 million US dollars in each of the two projects for Maritza East I and Maritza East III coal-fired power plants. After the end of this year's heating season, EBRD will also provide 30 million euros for the rehabilitation and restructuring of the Sofia District Heating Company. The EBRD has been operating in Bulgaria since 1992 and has invested some 540 million euros in 42 projects so far. In 2001 alone, the Bank provided 63 million euros for 12 projects.