The Secretariat for Development Projects by mid-April should submit to the Government proposals for the conclusion of a contract with three selected mediation agents in the project of the selection of persons wishing to obtain a Montenegrin passport based on investments in Montenegro. Public call conditions were completed by three companies, namely Apex Capital Partners, Arton Group and Henley & Partners Government Services.

The competition for the selection of agents for international aptitude announced at the beginning of January was extended until April 1^st. The reason for this is that the applications received did not meet the requirements. The public opening of bids on this basis is planned, according to information from an amended call, for April 8th.

When the Government concludes a contract with the selected agents, the Secretariat will issue licenses, and only by issued licenses, agents can perform their activities within the aforementioned Montenegrin citizenship acquisition program.

"A total of 22 applications have been received for public mediation agent selection. The three applications met the conditions stipulated by the decision and the public call, 18 applications did not meet the conditions, while one application did not arrive within the defined and according to the decision and the public call it was not considered," said the Secretariat.

The Government Decision on criteria, methods, and procedures for the election of persons who may obtain Montenegrin citizenship by a receipt for the realization of a special investment program of exceptional importance for the economic interest of Montenegro is applicable from 1^st January 2019. Based on this decision in the next three years, it is possible to issue a maximum of 2,000 Montenegrin passports. One of the conditions for the application of getting the Montenegrin citizenship is that the foreigner has not been legally convicted in Montenegro or another state and for whom an international aptitude assessor has given a positive opinion, including proof of money initially intended for payment and investment following the Government's decision. If it is subsequently found that the person who acquired the Montenegrin citizenship by admission in accordance with the decision has given false information or deliberately concealed the facts and circumstances, as well as if the agent for assessing international eligibility for that person provided incorrect information in his report, a decision of withdrawal of the citizenship will be issued.

The Government's program model for acquiring a Montenegrin passport is donation and investment. Contribution refers to the amount intended for the development of less developed municipalities. The contribution amounts to 100,000 euros per applicant's request, which is for 2,000 applications a total of 200 million euros. The investment refers to the amount intended to invest in one of the development projects from the Government's list of development projects. The applicant has to pay at least EUR 450,000 to invest in one of the development projects in Podgorica or on the coast or at least EUR 250,000 to invest in one of the development projects in the northern or central region.

The applicant must pay 15,000 euros for himself, 10,000 for a maximum of four family members and 50,000 for each of the following family members.

An open invitation to invest in tourism

On February 26^th, the Ministry of Tourism issued a public call for those wishing to invest in the field of tourism to get the Montenegrin passports. The call is open until the end of 2021.

From the Ministry of Tourism, to "Vijesti" was explained that a committee for evaluation of public call documentation was formed, regarding the fulfillment of the qualifying conditions for project selection on the list of development projects in the field of tourism. "Applications, or documents that fulfill the conditions by a public call, shall be submitted by the Ministry to the Government which, according to the decision, determines the list of development projects in the field of tourism. The committee will meet regularly and consider the received documentation, "the ministry said. The public call lists the criteria for investing in a hotel or a mixed complex.

Among other things, the investor must employ at least 80 employees in the coastal region or the Capital or at least 25 employees in the northern or central region, as well as that the hotels that they built have at least 60 accommodation units in the coastal region or the capital city or at least 35 accommodation units in the north or the central region.

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Text by Marija Mirjacic, on March 31st, 2019, read more at Vijesti

01 April 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković hosted Secretary-General of the OSCE Thomas Greminger, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro. The meeting noted that Montenegro actively contributes to stability and security, promotes regional cooperation, and is firmly committed to the principles of multilateralism and the fulfillment of OSCE goals. 

PM Marković said that Montenegro had achieved significant results in the field of economy, as well as in the rule of law, but that specific weakness remains, noting that we are devoted to the removal of flaws. 

"Montenegro has built the internal capacity of the institutions to respond in a timely and sustainable manner to the security challenges," Prime Minister Marković said, stressing that significant results were achieved in the field of fighting organized crime. 

PM Marković emphasised that Montenegro is committed to strengthening media freedoms and protecting journalists and media assets. He thanked the OSCE for support and expertise in media laws, as well as for the assistance of ODIHR in the area of electoral legislation and the electoral process. 

Secretary-General Greminger thanked Montenegro for its strong partnership and action following the principles of the OSCE. He noted that the OSCE wants to support Montenegro in the consolidation of democratic institutions, the improvement of the electoral system and the strengthening of media freedom. He also pointed to a focused programme of cooperation in the areas of transnational threats. 

The Prime Minister thanked for the overall support of the OSCE and assessed that this organisation is one of the most authoritative witnesses of contemporary development of Montenegro and its democracy.

31 March 2019 - Montenegrin Public Company for Coastal Zone Management has recently requested access to documentation in regards to the conditions for the reconstruction of several areas located at the coast in Herceg Novi: from Sutorina, via Topla, to parts of the swimming area near the Hospital in Meljine, near Cape Sveta Neđelja and Jošice in Bijela.

As reported by TVCG, the estimated value of these investments is close to three million euros. Precise investments and their full amount will be publicly announced after the creation of all documentation for each site individually.

At this stage, the estimates are based on urban planning conditions and investment proposals for development projects, according to the representatives of the Coastal Zone Management Company.

According to assessments of the Coastal Zone Management Company, the reconstruction of the beach Njivice will require 80.000 EUR, the reconstruction of the beach area near the restaurant Mimoza (next to the beach Rafaelo) will cost about 900.000 EUR, the reconstruction works at beach Roki sport will require 220.000 EUR, Ćorović beach renovations will cost 650.000 EUR, beach at Savina 150.000 EUR, the reconstruction of the beach in front of hotel Delfin in Bijela needs 450.000 EUR, while the renovation process at the beach Igrač više in Bijela will cost about 120.000 EUR. Investment funds in regards to the reconstruction of several smaller beaches on the Riviera were estimated at 390 thousand EUR.

As reported by TVCG, Public Company for Coastal Zone Management will conduct administrative procedures for obtaining approval from the Government for tendering, and the enterprise will produce individual investment programs for each beach and perform monitoring and cooperation with investors, in the stage of obtaining a construction permit and at the stage of realization.

"The aim of these activities of the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management is to provide full legality in the process of realization of development projects as well as to provide expert assistance to the investors-beneficiaries of the coastal area. In terms of the number of funds invested, the investors have a long-term period for the use of newly built beaches, ranging from 15 to 30 years ", they point out from this Public Company.

The price of the location for investment projects will be determined on the tender, and based on "historical prices achieved in the previous period", the representatives of the Coastal Zone Management Enterprise explained.

30 March 2019 - Council for the Privatization and Capital Projects adopted today the Report of the Tender Commission for the privatization regarding the results of the public tender for the sale of 56,4806 percent of the share capital of the Institute for Physical Medicine, rehabilitation and rheumatology Dr Simo Milošević. It also authorized tender commission to start negotiations on the conclusion of the contract of sale with the bidder – consortium made of  Czech company Phillbert a.s. and LLC Montenegrin Vile Oliva (owned by the businessman Žarko Rakčević).

As the Government conveyed, the offered price for the shares amounts to 10 million EUR.

The public call for the sale of Dr Simo Milošević Institute was announced on 16 October 2018. The deadline for the bids was 14 January 2019, by noon. Three subjects have repurchased the tender documentation. However, only the Czech consortium has submitted a tender. The Tender was opened at the meeting of the Tender Commission held on 18 January. At the meeting held on 24 January, it was stated that tender was formally correct i.e. that it met the requirements defined by the Regulation on the Sale of Shares and Property via public tender.

The Council, presided by the Prime Minister, Duško Marković, considered the Information on the need of the conclusion of the Annex to the contract on the long-term lease of the mountain center “Kolašin 1600”. Also, the Council considered the adoption of the Decision on the amendment to the Decision on the long-term lease of the land for the construction of the base settlement of the mountain center “Kolašin 1600”.

Due to different data about the geodetic coordinates of the location and the reduction of the surface area of the lease, it was proposed to the Government to adopt the Information, determine the Proposal Decision and accept the Proposal annex to the contract and to authorize the Minister Pavle Radulović to sign the Annex.

The Council took into consideration the Information on the fulfillment of the requirements for the return of the third banking guarantee to the „Global Ports Holding“ company. The Council also considered the Report on the control of the executed works and the level of investments, by the investment program of “Portonovi – Kumbor” project.

By the Commission proposal, the Council expressed its opinion by requests of Uniprom and Jadran Perast companies for turning exploitation rights into property rights.

The Council also acquainted with the Information of the Ministry of Finance regarding the realization of tasks that refer to Vektra Boka company.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

28 March 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković met with the delegation of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations. The Prime Minister noted that Montenegro is a stable and safe state, adding that for more than two decades it is part of a solution, not a problem in the region, and as such, it is oriented towards rapid economic growth and development. 

"Montenegro is the fastest growing economy in the region, and the economic growth rate of 4.9 percent achieved last year is one of the largest in Europe," the Prime Minister emphasised. 

Furthermore, he pointed to some other indicators of a successful economic policy - growth in industrial production and the food industry, an increase in exports by over 18 percent, a decline in the unemployment rate of six percent, and an increase in the number of employees by over 12,000. A surplus of the current budget amounting to 150 million EUR was achieved last year. 

"The key sectors of our economy are tourism, energy, agriculture, and we are actively working on industry's revitalization," PM Marković said. 

As an important prerequisite for further growth, Prime Minister Marković highlighted the development of the overall infrastructure. In this context, he pointed to a fund that will be created for this purpose through an economic citizenship programme. 

He expects significant incentives for faster development through the construction of the motorway, energy infrastructure, as well as valorization of airports and the Port of Bar, for which German businesspeople expressed interest.

"Our efforts to accelerate development, open new jobs and raise the standard of living are slowed down by some of the constraints we face. This primarily refers to our efforts in improving the rule of law, which includes the efficiency and reliability of the judiciary, the further fight against corruption and organized crime, the public administration reform," PM Marković said. 

Despite significant progress made in these areas, there are still challenges for which Montenegro has solutions, but the country also needs money and time to strengthen law enforcement institutions further and make Montenegrin public administration efficient and inexpensive. 

German businesspeople welcomed this approach, and especially praised Montenegro's role as a factor of stability in the region and highlighted the importance of the country's membership in NATO. Responding to the expressed interest in the dynamics of negotiations with the EU, Prime Minister Marković said that Montenegro was not focused on deadlines but on strengthening its internal potential so that it could fully assume the obligations of a fully-fledged EU member state.

Business people from Germany expressed interest to invest in energy, infrastructure, security and defence, as well as environmental protection. 

Pointing to specific favourable tax rates that make the business environment incentive, Prime Minister Marković invited German investors to come more often and invest more in Montenegro.

28 March 2019 - The Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro and local government of municipality of Budva are planning to assess the situation related to the remaining space within the promenade from Budva to Bečići and to execute a quality permanent plan for this location, said the director of the Enterprise, Predrag Jelušić, in a statement for RTV Budva. He expects this project to cost 10 million EUR.

The Coastal Zone Management Enterprise plans to allocate significant funds for the launch of an international competition for the selection of the best architectural and visual solution of the Lungo Mare promenade, from Sole Mio in Budva to Plavi kamen in Rafailovići.

"It will be a very challenging job for both companies and the local government. I believe that we will all be equally committed to reaching a quality solution because Lungo Mare should have a completely different form and a different tourist offer," Jelušić said during the interview.

He believes that after the reconstruction of the promenade in Tivat and Pet Danica in Herceg Novi, and the boardwalks in Čanj and Sutomore, it is now Budva’s turn to shine with a brand new promenade.

"I believe that Budva is ready to have this area planned in a quality way, for it to become a permanent space that will attract people for at least nine months of the year. We hope that we can breathe new life into the promenade and get it new, suitable facilities that will increase the quality of the tourist offer of Budva. The promenade should be a focal point that will make the city shine," Jelušić explained.

The president named the promenade in Tivat as an excellent example of how Montenegrin coast should be – spacious, with no temporary facilities and with a beautiful view. He added that this project will be financially demanding, but also beneficial for numerous hotel chains within the Coastal Zone, such as the Hotel Group Budvanska rivijera and other resorts that have interest in reconstructing the promenade according to the most up-to-date standards.

"I am expecting full commitment from local tourism organizations, because this topic of destination management is crucial for our city. The guest who comes to Budva wants every segment of the city to be functional, from parking to horticulture," Jelušić added.

He concluded that the capital of tourism, Budva, has the potential to complete all these projects that are crucial not only for the development of the city but for the growth of tourism in Montenegro as a country.

Montenegrin Telekom, the first-ranked company in the field of "Telecommunications" in the last year's selection of the "100 largest in Montenegro", is the exclusive partner of the project which will take place this year.

The project "100 largest in Montenegro" is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and with the sponsorship of Societe Generale Bank Montenegro. Based on clear and publicly available criteria, the ranking of the most successful Montenegrin companies is published in the publication "Business newspapers-100 largest in Montenegro" in May.

In the ranking carried out by BI Consulting for the project, the Montenegrin Telekom took the first place in the field of "Telecommunications". In addition to this prestigious result, this company has taken the eighth-place according to the revenues, eighth place in profit, while in the number of employees it in the sixteenth place. As a technological leader, the Montenegrin Telekom helps the growth and development of the Montenegrin economy, and the decision to support the project as an exclusive partner this year was not surprising," the organizers said. 

Telekom said that they recognized the values the project promotes, and through their affirmation, they stimulate the development of the Montenegrin business environment and economy. "We are glad that this year we are the exclusive partners of the project" 100 Largest in Montenegro" because the emphasis of the project is on the affirmation of quality and successful and transparent business. Montenegrin Telekom, as part of the Deutsche Telekom Group, provides the most advanced quality services to the private and public sector in Montenegro, as well as smart solutions and expertise in their implementation. As a technological leader and reliable partner, we help both the public and business sector in Montenegro to take advantage of all the opportunities that digitalization brings and thus improve their business and operations with citizens. Such projects additionally contribute to connecting Montenegrin companies and sharing experiences, making them the most successful in the country," said Predrag Perković, director of the Business Sector in the Montenegrin Telekom.

The organizers remind that after submitting the business books for 2018, the Montenegrin companies that meet the criteria will be ranked according to the revenues, and also the number of employees, including micro, small, medium and large companies. In addition to these ranking, the project will rank and reward the income of the largest companies depending on the activity, a total of 12 activities, and a special prize will be awarded for the company that has in the last three years recorded a constant increase in the number of employees, total income and net profit. All project information is available on the official website of the project: 100najvecih

Text by Promo, on March 26th 2019, read more at Vijesti

March 28, 2019 - The Airports of Montenegro Company (ACG) last year doubled its earnings and realized a new record in the physical volume of air traffic in Tivat and Podgorica.

March 28, 2019 - The new Harbor Act is introducing a lot of changes to meet the demands of the growing nautical tourism industry. The Director General of the Maritime Traffic Department at the Ministry of Traffic and Maritime Affairs, Vladan Radonjić, speaking on the development of nautical tourism in Montenegro, said that it significantly overruled the provisions of the applicable Harbor Act and its latest amendments from June 2013.

For the needs of complete service of foreign and domestic yachts, shipyard ports are being developed, among which Bonići Tivat and Bijela shipyards have already been proclaimed, Radonjić told CdM.

He explained that the Harbor Act introduces a new term "the city port," which recognizes the communal berths in Bar, Budva, Tivat, and Herceg Novi.

"All ports will, after the entry into force of the new law, have to cooperate with management bodies to make a plan and to pinpoint which part of the port will be the operational coastline, and what part of the port is intended for communal berths and commercial berths. At the assembly committees, there were questions as to how many berths there would be, which is very difficult to say because floating objects tied to these joints are of different dimensions and shapes. The best answer is that the Plan that will provide a part of the port for communal berths, and then the operator will determine how many berths it can have in that area. The Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs is essential to clearly define the area of the Operational Coast, which is embarked on the boarding and disembarking of passengers, and that the Operational Coast is free and accessible to all maritime passenger transport facilities, especially during the summer season. I believe that these changes and improvements are done very well and will improve nautical tourism in Montenegro," said Radonjić.

He adds that through this Code, Nautical Maritime Ports have so far been recognized only as ports that receive yachts and boats. However, this possibility is now extended to other navigable facilities, so if a port of nautical tourism is interested in expanding its activities to passenger ships, the Law allows this with the additional approval of the Managing Authority or the Public Company in ports of local importance.

"Indeed, there is already interest in the nautical port-marina Porto Montenegro, so that they also deal with passenger traffic from passenger ships, and that the entry into force of this Law remains to address the Sea Property to Expand Activities. I am convinced that in this way it will be significant that in Boka Bay we do not have only one port for passenger ships, but that the pressure from Kotor will be allocated to another port in the bay," said Radonjić

He said that the request of the operator to allow the port of Zelenika to enable passenger traffic was not approved because it doesn't meet all the standards. The Port of Zelenika is recognized as a trade port in the Coastal Development Plan for Montenegro, Radonjić pointed out.