November 19, 2019 - Continuing our look at the real estate opportunities in Montenegro, the latest Property of the Week from the RE/MAX catalogue takes us to Dobrota, Kotor.  

Imagine waking up each morning and taking a coffee on the terrace, overlooking a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The Boka Bay area is not only an area of breathtaking natural beauty, but in the town of Kotor, one can enjoy one of the truly spectacular urban architectural treasures of the Mediterranean. 

This makes Dobrota an extremely desirable location to own property, as both are within easy reach from there, and the views out to Boka Bay are divine. The latest mouthwatering piece of real estate temptation from the RE/MAX catalogue is a lovely 3-bedroom apartment in Dobrota, which is ready to walk into. And with some rather unusual interior decor. In the words of the official RE/MAX description below, after you have enjoyed this video tour:

Modern and fabulous 3 bedrooms apartment, fully furnished with panoramic sea views and balcony. In the apartment, you have one en-suite bathroom, one toilet / washing facilities, and one further bathroom. This apartment is located in Dobrota 5 minutes by car into Kotor Old Town and a short distance to the seafront. All the amenities, bars and restaurants are close by.

 

This building has it all it’s gated with a swimming pool, excellent gym facilities, and a reception area. The apartment is on the second floor and easily accessible by lift. The apartment is sold as seen fully furnished with an excellent design by the lady owner who is an architect and has designed and furnished it herself. The quality of this apartment is second to none and what dreams are made of.

 

 

Community Description

Dobrota is one of the places on the Montenegrin coast where it is still possible to see all the splendor of the former Boka and the noble Kotor, from the time when sailors sailed the world's seas, conveying the glory of these regions and bringing much wealth to the local naval houses. Dobrota is located in the immediate vicinity of the ancient Kotor with a view to Vrmac. A large number of churches today testify to the solid faith of the old Dobrich.

 

 

The promenade in Dobrota runs several kilometers along the coast beside countless small stone pontoons and old palaces, unique and glossy like nowhere else. The seafront of Dobrota consists of old captain villas renovated as seaside cafes and small hotels. Dobrota is also a place with very good restaurants and small seaside cafes where you can truly enjoy the ambiance of the ancient Boka.

 

 

Sales price 450,000 euro. For more information, photos and to book a viewing, visit the original RE/MAX listing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 16, 2019 - Continuing our look at the real estate opportunities in Montenegro through the RE/MAX catalogue, a visit to a great new-build opportunity between Petrovac and Budva. 

Finding good quality building plots close to the sea in an excellent location is becoming harder in Montenegro, especially plots which have the project design already completed. An interesting option for anyone looking to build a couple of villas in a quiet location with great sea views in a very picturesque part of the coast - between Budva and Petrovac. In the words of the official RE/MAX real estate description:

An opportunity not to be missed: Urbanised plot 1000 sqm on a terraced mountain slope with a finished project for the construction of 2 villas (250sqm and 230sqm). This thoughtful, architect-designed project offers a luxurious home in this amazing part of the world.

Key features:

 

- Breathtaking scenic views
- Quiet, secluded village between Budva and Petrovac
- 5-10min drive to many beaches on Budva Riviera
- 40min away from Tivat airport
- 1-hour drive to Podrgorica airport
- Very close to Sveti Stefan island and Reževići monastery

 

Designed by award-winning London RIBA architects. The technical part of the project is prepared by Montenegrin architects and comply with all local requirements. Optimal design for stunning views, eco-friendliness, and 21st-century comforts.

 

Both villas have spacious living and dining areas, garages, self-cleaning eco-pools, and gardens.

 

 

Each villa is spread over 3 floors and has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, outdoor dining area and panoramic views of the Adriatic sea.

Community Description

Budva

 

Eclectic is perhaps the best way to describe Budva, with an old town that backs up onto a superyacht marina on one side, vibrant beach and nightlife on the other.

 

 

Settlements surrounding Budva like Sveti Stefan, Rezevici, Przno offer serene ambiance, quaint sunsets and scenic waterfronts with hidden waterfront restaurants, perfect places if you're looking to indulge in seafood, relax on the beach with a book, soak up the sun and take a dip in the water.

 

Budva is home to the famous hotels Aman and Splendid and the first luxury real estate project in Montenegro Dukley Gardens, all offering fine dining and sumptuous spa experiences.

 

If you are hunting quintessential night out experience, Budva is, again, the best possible choice. Top Hill Nightclub is consistently rated as one of the best clubs in the world, perched on the hill overlooking the bright lights of Budva, this town is brimming with life ranging from fun to outdoor adventure like the aqua parks for kids (and the kid inside).

 

Price for the plot and project is 330,000 euro. For more information, photos and to book a viewing, visit the original RE/MAX listing. 

November 16, 2019 - Mr Darko Radunović, Minister of Finance, and director-general of the Directorate for State Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Mr Bojan Paunović, presented the Proposal for the Montenegro Budget Law 2020 at the media conference.

“The objective of the economic policy of Montenegro’s Government is increasing the living standard and bringing GDP closer to the EU level”, said Mr Radunović.

“With the aim of bringing living standard closer to the European average, the Government is implementing measures of economic policy aimed at strengthening fiscal stability and increasing competitiveness of the economy”, said Mr Radunović.

He added that results of the economic policy achieved in the past period had shown that Montenegro’s fiscal position had been further consolidated: record economic growth rates, 15% increase in employment, and increase in salaries, implemented fiscal policy measures and creation of stable sources of financing through the most successful bond issue so far. Furthermore, conditions for increasing salaries of the employees with the lowest wages have been created, tax debt has been reduced by 30% compared with 2016. Wages, pensions and social benefits have been maintained at a regular level and capital projects aimed at infrastructure development through the greatest investment in Capital budget in the history of Montenegro.

In the past two years, more favorable borrowings enabled financing of payment of previous debts, which allowed the creation of a more favorable credit structure of public debt. The need for additional indebtedness has been considerably reduced as well as our country’s exposure to possible unfavorable economic trends in the international environment.

Measures of fiscal adjustment enabled the following: over €20 million increase in budget revenues, reduction in budget deficit with current expenditure surplus, capital budget funds for the implementation of new infrastructure projects.

“Strong economic growth, increase in the number of employed people, strengthened fiscal stability and maintained a level of competitiveness of Montenegro’s economy create the position in which our country would respond to the global economic slowdown”, said Minister.

Mr Radunović emphasized that further consolidation of public finances as proposed in the projected 2020 Budget. He highlighted additional support that this Budget provided.

“Proposal budget also creates conditions for the affirmation of the airports and the sustainability of the national air carrier”, said Mr Radunović.

The development component of the budget creates conditions for the continuation of a strong investment scheme.

This budget will be used primarily for development.

Text by CDM on November 16, 2019, read more here. 

To read more about business in Montenegro, follow TMN's dedicated page. 

November 15, 2019 - Representatives of the Ski Centers of Montenegro announce they are completely ready for the incoming winter season and that they “are going to push the tourism offer to the limit and beyond”.

They promise visitors will have a spectacular experience in Kolašin 1600 ski center.

“Ski centers of Montenegro have been working hard on the preparations for the winter season. Hard work will pay off, resulting in numerous events in the Kolašin 1600 ski center that we manage. As far as other ski centers are concerned, Kolašin 1450, Javorovača and Savin Kuk in Žabljak will be active during season, as well as Vučje in Nikšić, Turjak in Rožaje and Lokve in Berane. Tourists who decide to visit Kolašin 1600 will have at their disposal 8,5 km of ski slopes, state-of-the-art six-seat cable car with heaters installed, wi-fi signal, ski rental, ski schools, free parking, coffee bar services and services of Troglav restaurant, as well as rich entertaining program preparation of which is underway”,  said the representatives of ski centers of Montenegro.

The general development concept of ski centers is based on the promotion of the existing active ski centers and construction of new ski centers in Bjelasica, Komovi, Durmitor and Hajla.

Every ski center will have additional amenities for the improvement of offer: entertainment parks with snow tubing, rotondo, moving tracks, bob on the rails, cycling paths, zip line. Works on the extension of ski slopes in Kolašin 1600 are underway.

In accordance with the Government’s policy, around €140 million will be invested in the first phase which refers to Kolašin 1600. The two-kilometer long access road has been constructed, as well as parking for daily skiers, base station facility, the state-of-the-art cable car with 4,5 km of ski slopes.

“We have concluded agreements on the construction of additional 6 km of ski slopes, worth €1,2 million, an agreement on the construction of new six-seat cable car K7, worth €9 million, an agreement on the construction of additional 10 km of ski slopes with K7 cable car linking Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450. In Kolašin 1450, parking for 1600 vehicles will be built, and next year, we will have 45 km of ski slopes in KOlašin 1450”, said the representatives of the company.

Ski center Žarski is expected to become operational in 2021. The first phase is worth €27 million.

“Ski center Cmiljača costs €23 million. Around €17,5 million have been earmarked for the construction of new cable car with 3 km of ski slopes. A tender procedure for the construction of the base station is underway”.

Hajla and Štedim ski centers will be put into function by the end of 2021.

“Savin kuk in Durmitor has two cable cars and three ski lifts serving 5 km of ski slopes. Reconstruction of the existing ski center envisages €27 million worth investment and it will encompass the construction of the new cable car, 4,5 km of ski slopes, accumulation lake, and construction of the new access road and parking.

Text by CDM on November 15, 2019, read more here.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TMN's dedicated page.

November 15, 2019 - Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro is organizing the Second Charity Ball on December 13, 2019. All proceeds raised during the evening will go toward equipping the Day Care Center for Children with Disabilities in Tivat.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic spoke with representatives of the Qatari Diar Company in London, which in 2010 purchased 285,000 m² of land in the area of the former hotel Blue Horizons in Przno Bay, Tivat Municipality, in order to build a tourist complex.

Satisfaction with the fact that the challenges that slowed down the work on the project have been overcome was expressed at the meeting as well as mutual readiness to proceed as soon as possible to continue construction of a complex that includes a luxury hotel, more than 140 residential villas and a tourist resort with all the amenities. The total value exceeds €250 million.

Bay Przno

Qatari Diar representatives, led by Tarik al Abdula, Qatari Diar development director for Europe and America, expressed satisfaction with the implementation of development projects in Montenegro and the progress of our tourism and informed the Prime Minister that they have prepared a plan for further activities and that they will continue soon with the construction of this resort.

The Prime Minister informed the interlocutors with the development plans in the area of Lustica as well as details of the forthcoming modernization of Tivat Airport and transport infrastructure, which will increase the value of the Qatari Diara project.

Text by Boka News, on November 14th, 2019, read more at Boka News

Regent welcomes the first winter days with an innovative gastronomic offer at the Gourmet Corner Restaurant.

The real gourmets will be pleased to hear that on November 16, there will be a hunting dinner at the Murano Restaurant starting at 7 pm. Four dishes created exclusively from local wild animals’ specialties will satisfy even the most demanding palate by pairing it with the finest Vranac wines.

For the sixth year in a row, on 29 November, a celebration will be organized at the Library Bar on the occasion of the Yugoslav holiday of the Republic Day, called YU-Night. All fans of YU pop and rock music will have the opportunity to enjoy the greatest hits of the period in the performance of the band Toć, as well as home-made rakija, beer and brandy.

Regent

Promo nights this winter are reserved for the end of the week, i.e., Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Aperitivo evenings at the Library Bar on Thursdays - Visitors will be able to combine their favorite drink with a wide selection of free savory snacks.

Every first Sunday of the month will bring family and friends together for an evening pizza tasting, while every Friday is reserved for fondue at the Gourmet Corner. During the month of November, gourmets will be able to taste a variety of hazelnut-inspired delicacies and beverages each week in the Gourmet Corner.

Text by Boka News, on November 14th, 2019, read more at Boka News

November 14, 2019 - Co-owner of Montenegro stars hotel group, Mr Žarko Radulovic, says that optimization of job posts in that company is underway. The optimization envisages the reduction of those who work during winter. According to Mr Radulovic, that means that between 130 and 170 employees will be dismissed. However, he claims that the salaries of those who remain will be increased by 20%.

“We’ve started the optimization process. Since 2014, we’ve had a surplus of 130-170 employees. We need optimization now, in order to increase salaries for those who remain in the company. Fewer employees, higher salaries. We have to do that. The goal of the optimization of workforce and costs is to spill them over into a personal income”, says Mr Radulovic for CdM.

Salaries will be by 15-20% higher.

“The company is doing a great job, revenues are on the rise. Every year we generate a profit of €70.000 to up to €1 million. Our fund is stable and is going to get bigger”, said Mr Radulovic.

He points out that 35% of the gross turnover accounts for operational costs.

“Salary fund increases between €300.000 and €450.000 every year. It’s one of the sources of the increase in pays. The second source is optimization. Those with the lowest salaries will be given priority. So far, we’ve had around 590 employees in the winter period. We are going to bring that number down to 430-440”, says Mr Radulovic.

He adds that the company has great people, willing to work.

“We didn’t want to fire employees and, therefore, we’ve had a surplus of them in the past 4-5 years. In order to “save” them during the winter season, we’ve introduced a system of unpaid leave. They had their employment relationship, pension and social insurance for the whole month. We paid their apartments and an employee could eat three meals a day even when he/she wasn’t working”, says Mr Radulovic.

However, they realized it wasn’t a very good solution and that everybody was dissatisfied.

“The analysis showed that this solution hadn’t brought many benefits. That’s why we decided to carry out the optimization process”, concluded Mr Radulovic.

Text by CDM on November 14, 2019, read more here.

To read more about business in Montenegro, follow TMN's dedicated page.

Traffic in Montenegro is being conducted on wet and slippery roads this morning, with reduced visibility, as stated by the Auto Moto Federation of Montenegro (AMSCG), adding that the road Mojkovac-Djurdjevica Tara is still closed.

Traffic on that route has been interrupted since Wednesday due to a landslide in Sokolovina.

As stated, due to the fog visibility is diminished in some places, and smaller landslides on roads along gorges and notches are frequent.

Until December 6th, due to the construction of the walls (W12 and W15 K1) as part of the reconstruction of the road Lubnice-Jelovica, traffic for all types of vehicles will be suspended.

Traffic on the route Trubjela - Vilusi will be suspended from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm due to the reconstruction of the road. Outside these terms, traffic will be conducted alternately on one lane.

On the regional road Krstac - Ivanova korita, on the section Medjuvrsje - Ivanova korita, traffic will be suspended from nine to 11 and from 3 to 5 pm and changed from two-way to one-way.

On the regional road Berane - Petnjica, in Budimlja - Groc, traffic will be suspended from 9 am to 2 pm due to paving.

On the regional road Pljevlja - Metaljka, traffic will be suspended from 9 to 11 am and from 1 to 3 pm due to the reconstruction of the road.

Due to the reconstruction of the regional road Cerovo - Rogami, traffic on the section Rogami - Spuž is conducted in line with the temporary traffic signaling.

Traffic on the road Pluzine - Scepan polje, at the site of the dam hydroelectric power station Piva, was changed from two-way to one-way because of the works from 7 am to 6 pm.

Due to the construction of the walls on the regional road Berane-Kolašin, as part of the reconstruction of the road Lubnica - Jelovica, traffic will be suspended for all types of vehicles.

Due to the reconstruction of the main road Bar most-Ribarevina, the section of the bypass Bijelo Polje-Ribarevina, the traffic regime will be changed from two-way to one-way, with intermittent suspensions not exceeding 15 minutes.

Due to the reconstruction of the road Dinosa - Cijevna, the traffic regime has been changed from two-way to one-way and will be completely suspended from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

Due to the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the main road M-2 in Mojkovac, traffic will be suspended from 7 am to 5 pm and directed to local roads.

Text by MINA News, on November 14th 2019, read more at Vijesti