25 June 2019 - The European Union has granted an additional 3,6 million EUR to Montenegro for the preparation of project documentation aimed at strengthening infrastructure in the area of railway traffic and digital sector, it was reported by the European Integration Office, says CdM.

Additional funds were approved in the meeting of the Management Board of WB Investment Framework, held in Berlin and organized by European Commission and Federal Ministry of Finance of Germany.

The Montenegrin delegation was headed by the deputy chief negotiator, IPA coordinator, Ms Ivana Glišević-Đurović.

The project worth 3 million EUR will be used for financing the preparation of main projects aimed at the reconstruction of railway section Golubovci-Bar, as well as railway line Bar-Vrbnica, which is part of the main European Union traffic network.

The project is going to cover all the elements of infrastructure that are necessary for regular traffic flow and meet the safety standards determined in accordance with the rules defined at the European Union level.

This is the first time that the European Union supported Montenegro in the preparation of project documentation for the improvement of infrastructure in the digital sector in the amount of 600.000 EUR.

The funds will be used for the preparation of the feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, conceptual design and technical documentation for the construction of infrastructure required for better internet coverage in rural parts of Montenegro and areas that haven’t got full Internet coverage.

“The European Union is asserting the EU future of Montenegro and the region. Investing in traffic and particularly digital infrastructure, Montenegro proves to be following and investing in new technologies, with the aim of intensifying economic growth and developing society as a whole,” said Ms Glišević-Đurović.

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22 June 2019 - The Government of Montenegro has allocated, through the Capital Budget, around 500.000 EUR for the construction of the town square in Racina-čaršija street in Plav. The Public Works Administration signed a contract with Nikšić-based company "LD Gradnja" LTD on the construction of this square. The deadline for the completion of the works is 120 days from the date of the contractor's introduction into the business.

The square will be built in the place of the current courtyard of primary and secondary schools, on an area of nearly 4.000 square meters. The project solution is based on the modern arrangement of city public areas, while retaining the elements of the traditional. There are plans to maintain a healthy and highly cultivated greenery, while the greenery that is removed during the construction will be replaced with new seedlings.

The plateau contains a manifestation area in form of an amphitheater, stands, a pedestrian zone, and a children's playground, as reported Public Relations service within the Government of Montenegro. For the tiling, they provided a natural stone, which is resistant to wear, impact and low temperatures.

The Government of Montenegro also provided 1,09 million EUR through the Capital Budget for the reconstruction of part of the road Rožaje – Štedim, within the fifth phase of works on this section. According to the announcement of the Government of Montenegro, the construction contract was signed yesterday between the Public Works Administration and Rožaje-based company Tofi. Deadline for completion of works is 150 days from the date of the introduction of the contractor into the business.

This is the final phase of the road construction in a total length of 7.2 kilometers, leading to Štedim, the location where the construction of the base station for the new ski center at Hajla is planned. The realization of this project creates the conditions for starting preparations for the construction of the ski resort.

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18 June 2019 - At the invitation of Deputy Director-General of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Minister of Science of Montenegro Sanja Damjanović participates in the conference Supporting Smart Specialisation Strategies and Transfer of Technology in Southeast Europe at the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, Romania. 

In her introductory address, Vitcheva commended Montenegro's efforts in the development of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which, after two years, is in the final phase of the process. Vitcheva reminded that last May in Sofia the main theme of the conference on strategies for smart specialisation was the Western Balkans and the development of these strategies in the Balkans region. The first international workshop in the Western Balkans, dedicated to this process, was held in Podgorica on 5 February 2019, organised by the Ministry of Science and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. 

During the panel session "Improving Innovation Policies in Southeast Europe through Smart Specialisation Strategies and Transfer of Technology", Minister Damjanovic said that Montenegro was very proud because on Thursday the Government will consider the Smart Specialisation Strategy. 

In Montenegro, there are more than 105 strategies, but the Smart Specialisation Strategy will unite all those that are focused on developing economic, or scientific and technological potential, as stated in the Ministry of Science's report.

As the Minister pointed out, Montenegro is also working on establishing innovative ecosystems by encouraging the creation and development of start-ups. The first Scientific and Technological Park in Podgorica will be a leading institution dedicated to the promotion of technological transfer, and one of the main instruments for the implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

Based on the strategic vision of Montenegro's development, the Strategy defines four priority areas, three vertical ones: sustainable agriculture and a food value chain, energy and sustainable environment and sustainable and health tourism, as well as a horizontal priority area: information and communication technologies, because it provides business and technical support to other priority areas.

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18 June 2019 - The Government of Montenegro fully supports the planned further strategic steps of the University of Montenegro to improve the quality of studying and positioning of the University as well as to improve the material status and professional status of teaching and non-teaching staff, as noted during the meeting between representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the University of Montenegro leadership.

Rector of the facility Prof. Dr. Danilo Nikolić, President of the Steering Committee of the University of Montenegro Prof. Dr. Duško Bjelica and Vice-Rector for Science and Research Prof. Dr. Irena Orović presented the results of the previous development and activities that include improving the teaching process and significantly improving the position of the University of Montenegro in international scientific circles and scientific publications as well as the complete financial stabilisation of this facility.

Representatives of the Government of Montenegro expressed full support to the activities of the University of Montenegro in the development of the first University of Montenegro Development Strategy 2019-2024. This umbrella document includes, among other things, the development of e-learning systems, the formation of study programmes in English, the launch of interdisciplinary studies programmes, systematic training of teaching staff, and the strengthening of cooperation with the economy and the public sector.

"I am glad to see that you have a vision of the development of the University that you will transfer to the Strategy. It is a new quality, and I welcome it. I also welcome ideas for improving the material status of employees. You have my support in this," as noted in the report of the public relations service of the Government of Montenegro.

The meeting noted that the Government and the University see a common interest in improving systemic solutions related to the financing of scientific work and scientific-research projects to reach the European average of state allocation for scientific-research projects.

Representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the leadership of the University of Montenegro agreed to jointly address the needs of higher education in the Northern Region. Following the Government's policy of development of the North and the fact that a large number of development projects are being implemented in our region, the need for opening special programmes for the higher education of profiles required in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and other areas is shown.

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15 June 2019 - The Privatisation and Capital Investment Council adopted the Request of the Port of Bar AD - Bar for the sale of 100% of shares in Sidro Hotel and accepted the Request of the Hotel Group Budvanska rivijera AD - Budva for giving consent to the Decision on modification of the Decision on sale by public auction regarding the sale of Piva Hotel in Plužine. The Auction Commission should conduct a procedure for the sale of part of the property of the Hotel Group Budvanska rivijera AD - Budva - Piva Hotel in Plužine in accordance with the Decree on sale of shares and assets through public auction in accordance with this conclusion. 

As of 31 March 2019, the fixed assets of Sidro Hotel amounted to 1.172.118 EUR, while receivables amounted to 56.377 EUR, capital 575,929 EUR, accumulated loss 5.944.443 EUR, long-term liabilities and provisions 37.051 EUR, deferred tax liabilities 103.904, and short-term liabilities amounted to 543.859 EUR, as noted in the report of the Government of Montenegro.

The discussion pointed out this facility did not operate positively since the opening in 2010 and that the management of the Port of Bar intends to use the money from the sale of Sidro Hotel for the rehabilitation of Volujica quay construction in the length of 554 m and the construction of a 6,000 m² prefabricated storage facility. The session emphasised that 34 employees at Sidro Hotel were protected by a high-quality collective agreement in the five-year period after the privatisation, and the Council recommended to the Port of Bar to make the final decision on the sale of Sidro Hotel, adding that an integral part of the decision is a social programme that should be implemented by a potential buyer. 

The initial price of Sidro Hotel is set at 1.704.480,02 EUR.

By accepting the Request of the Hotel Group Budvanska rivijera AD – Budva, the Council agreed that the new Decision on sale by public bidding would indicate the price of 152.000 EUR, since the book value of the Hotel amounts to 150.966,98 EUR. The Council instructed the Auction Commission to conduct the sale procedure for the part of Piva Hotel in Plužine in accordance with the Decree on sale of shares and assets through public auction. 

The Privatisation and Capital Investment Council reviewed the Information on the fulfillment of conditions for the issuance of the fourth bank guarantee to Global Ports Holding and proposed to the Government to adopt the Information, which states that this company invested the amount of 2.027.879,05 EUR in the rehabilitation and reinforcement of the construction of the southern coast of Gata 1, which created the conditions for the issuance of the appropriate bank guarantee.

The Council passed the Proposal of Decision on amendments to the Decision on the privatisation plan for 2019, which envisages the sale of the remaining part of 1,45 percent of state-owned shares in the New Tobacco Plant AD Podgorica, after the current majority owner expressed his interest in the purchase of the remaining state-owned shares.

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15 June 2019 - The Summit of finance ministers, governors and directors of the tax administration of the region, organized by the Belgrade’s weekly news magazine NIN, was held recently in Bečići and it included a panel of directors of tax administration devoted to the reform of tax administration and fight against the grey economy.

Director of Montenegro’s Tax Administration, Mr Miomir M. Mugoša, in his introductory speech, emphasized that the Government of Montenegro invested significant funds in the project ‘Reform of tax administration’ having in mind the importance of this institution in the system of public finances. On this occasion, he also noted that he expects that this project will contribute to the reduction of administrative burden and somewhat greater compliance with tax regulations, that is, reduction in the overall tax gap.

“Mugoša presented the activities implemented so far, within the overall reform of taxes in Montenegro, including modernization of business processes, investment in information technologies, greater autonomy and reorganization, all with the aim of establishing a modern tax administration capable of responding to market’s requirements and ensuring high levels of public revenue collection,“ it was said in a statement of the Montenegrin Tax Administration.

At the end of this summit, the panel members concluded that there was a need for even closer regional cooperation and not just in terms of sharing experience and knowledge but for the region to be able to establish a single approach in dealing with common challenges, such as the fight against the grey economy and tax evasion.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

15 June 2019 - Minister of Public Administration Suzana Pribilović attended the Regional Conference of Europe and Central Asia on building effective, responsible and inclusive institutions, which took place in Ankara. 

The main topics of the first ECA conference were innovations in governance reforms, raising the capabilities and responsibilities of governments, as well as examples of good practice in management reforms and presentation of the latest solutions and applications for society and companies. In addition, the conference divided into six thematic areas that are fundamental for development of capabilities and responsibilities of the governments, discussed strengthening public policies, effective management resources, the improvement of public services, strengthening of the public-private cooperation in order to the effective operation and investment, understanding and engagement with political and economic drivers and Gov. – Tech.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Minister Pribilović met with Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller, who supported Montenegro's public administration reform path. 

Minister Pribilović thanked Vice President Muller for the opportunity to attend the Conference, as well as to discuss important reform processes in the area of public administration. 

"We are aware of the fact that it is not possible to improve the competition and economic growth without quality of public administration reform and I thank you for the World Bank's support for Montenegro and we expect support to be continued in the future," Minister Pribilović pointed out in the public announcement for Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.

Vice President Muller emphasised the importance of the financial reform sustainability and highlighted that Montenegro has done much more in this area, bearing in mind the complexity of this process and that it should continue with the initiated processes. 

The Conference that was organised under auspices of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) was attended by about 450 delegates, including senior government officials, international partners, representatives of academia, the private sector and civil society from all the countries of the Europe and Central Asia, including the EU member states. 

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