02 May 2019 - During its last session, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Information on the implementation of the project "Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal on the Adriatic Coast - Boka Kotorska Bay" and accepted the Financing and Project Agreement.

When presenting the Information, it was stated that the Municipality of Kotor, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, KfW Bank and Vodacom, nominated this project for donor funds under the third call for project applications from the Western Balkans Investment Framework. The Western Balkans Investment Framework Steering Committee positively assessed the project and it was decided that the construction of the sewerage network in Risan and Perast will be financed with the amount of 4.58 million EUR, which will solve the priority issue of wastewater collection in these coastal areas, which represents the first phase of the entire project.

On the same occasion, the Government of Montenegro also approved the Proposal of the Decision Amending the State Study of the "Sector 36" location. It is an area that is in direct contact with the areas of a series of planning documents, which together form the tourist complex Luštica Development.

Bearing in mind the fact that the intensive realisation of activities in the Marina area of ​​the Luštica Bay project, which includes, among other things, the construction of the Chedi Hotel, the main marina, as well as the residential facilities within Phase I, requires a well balanced and realistic plan of all infrastructural and communal facilities services needed for the adequate functioning of future capacities, there was a need for additional planning of some of the infrastructure and service facilities in that zone.

Through amendments provides for valorisation of the area with respect to the guidelines deriving from the legislation and all documents related to the protection of nature and cultural heritage.

The Government of Montenegro also passed the Draft Amendments to the State Study of the Location "Arsenal" Tivat. The main goal of the amendments is to correct the essential elements of the functionality of the space indicated in the previous plan. In that sense, it was aimed at correcting the zoning of the tourist purpose and its positioning in an adequate location, increasing the free and public surfaces, linking the pedestrian surfaces and forming a few squares as the adequate spaces of the Mediterranean urbology.

02 May 2019 - If you are a real enthusiast who likes to wander and explore hidden destinations and experience the unique feeling of discovering something new, hidden and so well preserved, check out the top five hidden locations in Montenegro by Meanderbug Travel.

Montenegro is following in the footsteps of our neighbor Croatia and becoming the next “it” destination. However, like anywhere else, you cannot expect to truly immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage just by visiting the tourist hotspots.

In order to truly understand the people of Montenegro and our culture, you have to go back to our very own roots–the villages. It’s where our grandmas make the best, hearty dishes, where the air is as fresh as it gets and where the family tribes have chosen to live for the last 19 centuries.

A village holiday in Montenegro is a great idea if you are looking for an escape in the country of wild beauty. You can get to know the authentic Montenegrin culture in the households locals built for tourists and immerse yourselves in the rustic landscape, while at the same time enjoying gigantic portions of organic food.

Here’s a list of 5 villages that are perfect destinations for a village holiday in Montenegro. These are great for solo travelers, couples, families–literally anyone!

Lubnice, Berane

Full of apple orchards decorating the land of our partners,  Lubnice is located on the backside of Biogradska Gora National Park.  Although it is not officially within the borders, it is just as beautiful as the national park itself. The village presents several access points to some of the less explored places in the park. One of the most rustic parts of Montenegro, Lubnice is perfect for activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and fly fishing. There are also many opportunities to forage for mushrooms, herbs, and berries, which grow in abundance in the nearby forests.

Think Lubnice is exactly what you’re looking for? We can help. And, booking through Meanderbug means you are investing in the families of so many locals as we continue to work with, support, and coach a growing number of village partners. Your stay expands the economy of the underdeveloped north and helps locals live a better life!

Zabes selo, Skadar lake

Located in the heart of Skadar Lake National Park, Zabes Selo is a gem hidden from nearby Virpazar. Here, tourists rent boats to meander around the beautiful Skadar Lake. This area is also known for its vineyards that produce the best quality wine in the whole country. There are many vineyard tours you can book for wine tasting, as well as lake tours on Skadar Lake. Both are within proximity to breathtaking mountains and the warm Adriatic sea, making Zabes a perfect village holiday destination in Montenegro for a full Montenegrin experience.

We invite you to book a cabin in Zabes. Due to its popularity, we advise you to make your booking before the New Year!

Konjuhe, Andrijevica

Konjuhe used to be a favorite retreat destination for many emperors long ago.  Locals also know it by the names of Emperors’ retreats and Emperors’ households. The name of the village comes from the word “konj” which means horse because it is believed emperors kept their favorite horses there. Surrounded by the slopes of Komovi mountain, your holiday village in Montenegro here combines elements of quiet retreat with plenty of opportunities for adventure, such as mountain biking, hiking, caving, and Nordic skiing!

Konjuhe is a central location in the crossroads connecting historical sites such as the ancient Roman settlement of Doclea (Duklja), medieval Budimlja and the medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery of Dečani. It is also an ideal spot for exploring Mount Komovi.

Lipovo, Kolašin

Surrounded by the slopes of 3 mountains – Sinjajevina and Bjelasica with Durmitor in the distance, Lipovo is a perfect village for hikers and mountain bikers, as one main road connects all of the mountains with the village. It is also close to the Biogradska Gora National Park, a green haven of Montenegro.

If you’re looking for a smooth, scenic hike, you can go for Mount Sinjajevina, which has a perfect terrain. Its plateau is ideal for winter cross-country and backcountry skiing.

Ravna rijeka, Bijelo Polje

Ravna Rijeka has a train stop on the Belgrade–Bar railway, which National Geographic rated as one of the best train trips in the world. One of the least explored areas in the country, Ravna Rijeka is an excellent, year-round destination that offers snowshoeing, Nordic and cross-country skiing during winter, and scenic hiking trips.  You can enjoy various outdoor activities during the summer as well. Ravna Rijeka is another hidden Montenegrin gem that is rustic, but provides access to Bijelo Polje, the largest Montenegrin city in the north.

Original article by Meanderbug Travel on November 27th, 2018.

03 April 2019 - Traditional festival May Carnival Evenings marks the beginning of the summer tourist season in Budva, and visitors of the festival so far were all amazed by the program content full of thematic nights, theatrical performances, dance workshops and most importantly, great atmosphere!

The organizers of the event, Budva Municipality, Budva Tourism Organization and the non-governmental organization “Feštađuni”, announced an exciting and varied entertainment program for all residents and guests of Montenegro, and have kept their word.

"We want the May Carnival Evenings to become a manifestation that will properly open the tourist season in the city that creates more than half of Montenegro's tourist product. It is a great pleasure to have included a large number of different organizations and that Budva perceives this manifestation as its own," said Veselin Marković, Vice President of Budva Municipality.

During the first five days of the Carnival, events that took place included the Bikers’ evening, Folklore, Zumba and Salsa nights and music of various genres. Bikers’ evening marked the first evening of the Carnival, and on this occasion, the audience enjoyed rock sounds from various bands who competed for the main three prizes of the Rock Competition.

The stars of the festival were high-quality performers from the Balkans: YU Grupa on May 30 within the Bikers’ night, Sanja Ilić and Balkanika on May 1 within the Evening of Folklore, Jelena Rozga on May 2 within the Zumba and Salsa Evening. May 3 was marked with masks which traditionally invited citizens and tourists to the feast, while the citizens, in return, offered traditional gastronomic specialties in front of their homes as an act of hospitality and welcome. This performance was followed by the sounds from brass orchestra and The Group.

On May 4, the Big Masquerade Parade will take place on the streets of Budva, in which more than 2000 carnival groups from more than fifteen countries will take part, including Cuba, Spain, Italy, Austria, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Turkey and other countries of the world.

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, a children's carnival procession will take place in Budva, which begins at 4.30 pm and on the same day, while various dance groups and the Amadeus ballet studio are also scheduled to perform.

The Old Town and Citadela in Budva became part of a new tourist route that promotes the Balkan Fortress as some of the most important cultural and historical attractions in the region.

This, so far underrepresented and modernized fort, is becoming more visible for all tourists who are interested in the historical and cultural heritage of the Balkans thanks to the project "Creative History Balkans Tour" (CHBT).

The project, launched by EXIT Foundation with the support of the European Union and the Council for Regional Cooperation, aims to brand and promote four historic fortresses in four Balkan countries, relying on the creative industries and cultural heritage: the Old Town of Budva in Montenegro; Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia; Fortress Kastel in Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the Fortress Rozafa in Skadar, Albania.

In Budva, the first one in a series of events, was the launch of this initiative, and at the same time, a unique internet platform was presented, which will present cultural pearls of the Balkans' cultural heritage to the tourists around the world in a creative and contemporary way.

At the presentation of the project today in Budva, President of the UO Exit Foundation Ivan Petrovic emphasized that the Balkans possesses an extremely rich cultural heritage, which needs branding and contemporary promotion through the creative industries, as well as preservation and sustainability through the development of cultural tourism.

"The EXIT team believes and works to make the Balkans one of the most attractive regions of the world in the field of tourism and creative industries. With this project we want to present to millions of tourists around the world that this region is a cradle and a meeting place for numerous civilizations that have existed in this area in the past," said Petrovic.

The project "Creative History Balkans Tour" leads to the creation, promotion, and development of a regional tourist product innovatively, using a specialized internet platform that will attract new generations. Presenting the most beautiful legends and myths, discovering the history of these everlasting fortresses and developing their tourism potential through attractive internet contents will contribute to the Balkan’s tourism and economic growth.

Dr. Predrag Zenovic in front of the Municipality Budva believes that this project will open bridges between societies and states and their once, it seemed, irreconcilable past.

"Citadela in Budva is, for example, is the site of the ancient acropolis, once the seat of Zeta metropolis, and later the Austro-Hungarian military fort. Fortresses represent testimonies of past times, but their relation to the present space represents the creators of the creative and the place of art exchange," Zenovic said and added that the Budva Municipality's Management Service as one of its priorities aims to valorize the fortification architecture in Budva and its surroundings, and that the project "Creative History Balkan Tour" is an excellent guide.

For the academic sculptor Jelena Papovic from Budva, the Old Town is a special place because it is precisely where she creates artworks and believes that staying in old fortresses gives the privilege of living in a time-machine and every stone represents a portal into a new world.

"Enhanced sensitivity of the artist can summon the energy of such a place and transform the timelessness of artwork into eternity. That's why we may seem to be romantic and emotionally carried away to those who know that we are going through the same streets many times and we are thrilled all over again with the balconies, the drawings of time in the stone, the rooftops’ games and the blue sky," Papovic said.

At the promotion of the project "Creative History Balkans Tour" the audience was presented a new approach of affirming the Old Town of Budva, one of the most important and most remarkable fortifications in the Balkans.

Text by Vijesti online, on May 3rd 2019, read more at Vijesti

Women's entrepreneurship is a significant segment of the overall economic development, whose progress contributes to strengthening its capacities, providing financial and non-financial support, as well as networking women entrepreneurs, it was stated from the Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro (PKCG).

"The development of women's entrepreneurship depends on its affirmation and capacity-building, as well as on improving the position and economic empowerment of women, which implies their greater participation in decision-making, more prosperous society, a healthier economy, and more complete gender equality," it was said by the PKCG to the agency Mina-business. They believe that for the development of women's entrepreneurship is the significant provision of financial and non-financial support, which includes credit lines with more favorable terms and interest rates, as well as organizing informational seminars and meetings and educating entrepreneurs in the area of ​​making the business plans, market research and marketing plan development. 

Additionally, networking between women entrepreneurs and networking through joint projects, as well as full co-operation between all collaborators in public, private and civil sectors is needed to enable women's entrepreneurial potential to make full use of the development of the economy and modern society," the PKCG said.

They added that the latest data show that more and more women are starting and running a business.

According to the Tax Administration data, the share of women who own micro, small and medium enterprises is 24.3 percent. These data show that there is an evident increase in the number of women entrepreneurs from 2011 to 2017, as much as 38.4 percent. In EU countries, the share of women in entrepreneurship is about 30 percent, so we can say that we are heading in the right direction," said PKCG.

They reported that women's entrepreneurship is the fastest growing category in the business world and that this trend had affected all countries the same, regardless of the degree of economic development.

"By developing women's entrepreneurship prerequisites for opening new job vacancies are being created, enabling the development of society as a whole," the representatives of PKCG said.

They argue that access to finance is a basic obstacle to business start-ups because women are in a worse position than men, especially because the majority in Montenegro do not own property and are not able to provide financial resources on their own.

"Women are considerably more concerned with dealing with the business also due to the alignment with the numerous household management and childcare obligations. The growth of total wealth of the society and women's entrepreneurship, as a part of the overall, gets in effect," they explained in PKCG.

They added that the Government and relevant institutions, through the implementation of policies, strategies and action plans, work on the development and full implementation of measures of gender equality and economic empowerment of women. "The Women's Entrepreneurship Development Strategy in Montenegro from 2015 is of great importance to support women's entrepreneurial potential as well as to create a favorable business environment for their inclusion in entrepreneurship," the PKCG said.

They said that a large number of activities that are part of the strategy have already been realized and have given positive results. Also, the Strategy for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Montenegro from last year, special attention has been devoted to the promotion of women's, social and entrepreneurial of the youth.

The PKCG also stated that the Activity Plan for obtaining gender equality in Montenegro 2017-2021 represents a development document for the implementation of gender equality policy, and includes, among other things, also the gender equality in economy.

Text by MINA Business, on May 3rd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

May 3, 2019 - NATO membership, opening almost every chapter in the negotiations on the EU accession, stable macroeconomic environment, important infrastructure projects, as well as clear direction of the future development of the country, are the main reasons why a great number of world investors have started their businesses in Montenegro, said the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović.

Last night in London, during the working dinner in the organization of Porto Novi, Mr Đukanović discussed the number of renowned business people, the participants of Private Wealth Forum, the advantages of investing in Montenegro.

He pointed out that our country offered considerable advantages to foreign investors, thanks to its competitive business environment, significant potentials in the area of tourism, energy, and agriculture.

“We have harmonized legislation with the EU acquis communautaire, and we have strengthened the rule of law”, said the President.

He has stressed the importance of the initiatives and projects that contribute to raising living standards in Montenegro and creating new opportunities for young people.

“I’m happy to see that more and more investors acknowledge and appreciate the efforts we undertake in order to develop our country, change the way we think and acquire new knowledge and management skills”, said the President.

Mr Đukanović has invited many business people to visit Montenegro and consider the possibilities for the implementation of different ideas and projects in so many areas.

Text by CdM on May 3, 2019, read more here. 

May 3, 2019 - Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Pavle Radulović, said in the interview for NOVA M TV that the idea of Montenegro as an elite destination is slowly becoming a reality.

He spoke about the biggest challenges in tourism.

“We’ve solved the problem with noise – regulation that limits it enters into force on 1st May. We’re working on the improvement of the overall infrastructure”, said Mr Radulović.

As far as the facilities on the promenade in Budva are concerned, the Minister says:

“They have been there for 30 years. When they have nothing else to do, people tend to politicize things”.

Another subject that brought the sector of tourism into the focus of media attention was the situation on the Tara river and the construction of the highway. The Minister stresses that all standards are being met, with regular and constant monitoring.

“There are not any discrepancies between the river and the highway”, says Mr Radulović.

He concludes that we are gradually achieving the objective set a long time ago – Montenegro is becoming a high-quality tourist destination.

Text by CdM on May 2, 2019, read more here. 

02 April 2019 - Huawei, one of the global leading smartphone manufacturers, has launched an update EMUI 9.0 and used a stunning photograph of Budva within the wallpaper collection that is included in the update.

Chinese leading provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, the company Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has recently launched the upgrade to the Android-based operating system (OS) from Huawei – EMUI 9.0.

With this new update, besides numerous features in relations to battery optimisation, new gesture navigation, multi-camera API, Digital Wellbeing application and security improvements, Huawei users will receive a brand new list of wallpapers to freshen up their phone’s display appearance. The list of new Huawei EMUI 9.0 wallpapers includes a gorgeous landscape of the Old Town of Budva. This means that all Huawei users who download the latest upgrade to this operating system will have a photo of Budva on their phone!

This is a great advertisement for Budva and Montenegro because all users of phones from this manufacturer will have the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque photograph of this Montenegrin city.

“EMUI 9 provides an immersive experience with innovating performance and system speed enhancements to help you lead an intelligent life. Inspired by the freezing moments of a paint colour collision and fluttering silk, EMUI 9 features new wallpapers to reflect in-the-moment beauty and the app icons have been redesigned to be more realistic,” explains the EMUI guide on the official Huawei website.

According to the latest data, the Huawei EMUI 9.0 user interface reached 470 million active users at the daily level.

01 May 2019 - An exhibition of paintings titled "The Eyes of the Sea" by academic artist Milo Albijanić from Tivat will be opened in the SPA Gallery of the Institute Dr. Simo Milošević on May 3rd.

As noted by the academic artist Vesna Supšić, Mile Albijanić uses the fish as a symbol and inspiration. The drawing is always side-by-side, but with details that do not illustrate the real life of water beings but are the product of an internal dialogue instead.

"This is the conversation that leads to the dramatic evolution of collages, as well as the reality in which they are created, but also the colored game of suggestion of motion, water and environment. In addition, the fisheye is also present, omniscient, significant and indispensable, just like God's," Supšić said.

Mile Albijanić was born on October 19, 1963, in Bileća, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he finished elementary school and gymnasium. He graduated in 1990 at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić, at the pedagogical department, as a teacher of fine arts. He worked for many years as an instructor and in workshops with disabled people, as well as a guide and souvenir designer.

There is an enviable number of collective and independent exhibitions behind his name, and he also enjoys photography. He is the organizer of the artistic event "Nacrtajmo se u eNKa", and he is also a founder member of the Art Group group "Tri Art" and a full member of ULUBIH (Bosnia and Herzegovina Association of Visual Artists). Since 2013, he has the status of a freelance artist.

The audience at the Spa Gallery in Herceg Novi will be greeted with about 40 works of medium format, made with oil on canvas and paper. The exhibition will be opened by journalist Vitka Vujnović.

02 April 2019 - Minister of Internal Affairs of Montenegro Mevludin Nuhodžić is participating in the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue "Building Dialogue into Action against Discrimination, Inequality and Violent Conflict", which is being held in Baku on 2 and 3 May 2019.

As stated by the official UNESCO report, the Forum is organized under the patronage of H.E. Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with Task Force members: UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO), the Council of Europe and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). Expected participants include heads of governments, ministers, heads of various international organizations, senior policymakers, cultural professionals, goodwill ambassadors, experts, journalists, practitioners, prominent intellectuals and activists.

The Forum will examine the critical role of Intercultural Dialogue as an actionable strategy for building human solidarity and helping localities counter the violence and discrimination in diverse communities.

The Forum aims to be an international platform to enable and encourage people, countries, and organizations to advance concrete actions to support diversity, dialogue and mutual understanding as foundations for sustainable peace and inclusive development.

This edition of the Forum seeks to serve as a comprehensive platform to better understand the drivers and benefits of intercultural dialogue as an instrument for addressing some of the pressing challenges of our time, including rising discrimination, growing inequalities and increasingly prevalent violent conflict. In doing so, it hopes to catalyse impactful collaborative actions, the implementation of which will be supported in the two years leading up to the next Forum.

During the first day of the World Forum, Minister Nuhodžić has met with the Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov and head of the State Migration Service Vusal Huseynov.