26 January 2019 - "Good news for the agriculture sector is that Agro budget for this year amounts to 52.4 million EUR and it is higher by 12.4 million EUR or 31% compared to the previous year. Just as we have announced: greater funds and grants programmes will be provided for the more dynamic development of our agriculture," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović said. 

At the presentation of 2019 Agro budget, held today in Rvaši, DPM Simovic assessed that this year's Agro budget is both European and domestic. 

To maximize the use of Agro budget funds, according to Simović, support measures will be presented to potential users on the ground in direct communication with hosts, entrepreneurs, and local communities. 

Such an approach, he said, will be a special obligation and an individual responsibility for everyone in the Ministry and the competent administrations. 

The Agro budget defines three areas of support: agriculture, fisheries, and operational programmes. A total of 58 measures have been defined. This year's Agro budget, as Simović pointed out, was created on the basis of an analysis of the implementation of measures of the previous Agro budget, followed by suggestions and observations by the users and implementation services, with numerous recommendations from the associations of producers and processors and local self-government, which were accepted within the limits of financial possibilities and in accordance with our agrarian policy. 

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that the Agro budget continues with a wide range of users both in livestock and plant production, with the dominant participation of small farms. 

He said that in the first half of the year, the implementation of 56 already agreed on IPARD-like projects is expected and that this year will be the first year of implementation of the big IPARD. 

"We are sure that this will be the year of great investment momentum in our agriculture both in the processing sector and in primary production. That is why we have planned the implementation of 21.5 million EUR through this measure," Simović stressed. 

This year's ambition is to publish new IPARD calls for support to processing and primary production, as well as to accelerate the process of accreditation of a new measure to support the diversification of activities in rural areas. 

The support programme for young farmers will be implemented this year, with grants of 10 thousand EUR per farm.

The Ministry of Economy has submitted a Proposal to the government for Amendments to the Internal Trade Law, introducing a non-working Sunday.

The Ministry said that in the trade sector, which employs 37 thousand people, the Sunday, through the proposed legal solution would be declared as a non-working day.

"With by-laws, solutions to the exceptions, and the basic needs of citizens will be adopted," the statement said.

By introducing a non-working Sunday, employers will be able to significantly increase productivity, lower maintenance costs, and regular service costs.

"About this, such a legal solution cannot affect the reduction of the number of workers, but jobs can even be deployed on working days, and employees in the trade would have a non-working Sunday as it is the case in other industries," the Ministry's representatives said.

They added that it would have a positive impact on the overall economic activity and the quality of life of an individual, family, and society.

"In any case, such a legal solution will not affect the supply of consumers, but solely to change the habits so far in terms getting the supplies on the other days of the week," the ministry said.

By the proposed amendments to the law, other novelties would be introduced that make the business easier for the traders.

The amendment of the law was launched at the initiative of employers and the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) and was supported by trade unions and consumer associations.

Text by MINA Business, on January 25th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Sutomore hosted a three-day meeting of working groups of the European Scout Region (ESR), during which around 90 scouting officers from 40 countries in Europe will work on improving and strengthening the scouting organization in Europe.

On that occasion, Vice-President of the Bar Municipality Tanja Spicanovic spoke with the Director of ESR David Mekki, representatives of the Scout Association in Montenegro (SICG) Borislav Jovovic and Dušan Masonicic, and the head of the Scout squad "24^th November "Miodrag Tanjo Masonicic.

Stressing the importance of the scouting organization for the youth "in our country, and in our municipality," as well as the support of Bar municipality to the scouts, Spičanović announced that this trend would continue in the future.

"Scouting is a pure side of life, and a scout organization is a place where young people spend their time in a quality way and are trained for everything that life would expect them to do," said Spičanović, among other things.

The ESR Director thanked the Bar Municipality for hospitality and over 40 years of constant support for the development of scouts in Montenegro. Mekki has also assessed that the organization of this kind of event is a "clear indicator of the good work of the SICG".

As he pointed out, Montenegrin scouts are followed by even more excellent support from Europe, including funding three projects by FOSE, "and one of these projects is the squad from Bar “24^th November".

Representatives of SICG, among other things, said that Bar has long been one of our municipalities with the most scouts, while Miodrag Masoničić said that choosing Bar and the squad "24. November "for such an event is not a coincidence," but the result of great work".

Text by Radomir Petric, on January 26th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

"Little Feast of Orange" organized by NGO Ruke (Hands), brought together 35 exhibitors of handicrafts and homemade products on the main street in Herceg Novi and 15 at the donor table.

"Orange has become a local and integral part of Boka's coast, it has become a part of the most important customs, and in homes it has become a cure and food, a gift, a symbol of beauty, fertility, wealth and eternal life, elegance, and splendor," wrote Mašo Čekić on the event of the first festival in 2015 in the author's text "Orange for Luck".

Jams, sweet, juices, cakes and orange soaps, souvenirs, jewelry and pictures inspired by this fruit were interesting to citizens of Herceg Novi, but also to the guests who came to this sunny town.

The members of NGO Bonaca at their booth exhibited juices, sweet and delicious desserts from domestic and wild oranges, tangerines and fortunele, and Jelena Pavlović had delicious orange cakes.

This year the novelty on the "Little Feast of Orange" is the demonstration of culinary skills by Mira Martineti from Herceg Novi. She demonstrated making food such as gnocchi, pies, and chicken with orange.

Maja Erenji Harebraun from NGO Ruke (Hands) points out the pleasure to host so many visitors, but also because of the growing number of exhibitors from all over Montenegro and the region. She said that, as usual, they had a donator table and all the profit from the sale of food would be allocated for charity. 

"This time we will donate the funds to the project 'Patronage in the education system', which is realized for children with disabilities, according to the recommendation of the committee established in the city, by Kolo of Serbian Sisters.

"Little Feast of Orange" this year was also an opportunity for people to socialize, show their creativity and affirm the specialties of and with the addition of the orange.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on January 26th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

26 January 2019 - According to the latest data of the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBM), 77 people are registered in Montenegro with more than one million EUR in accounts in domestic banks. This data implies that in 2018 Montenegro registered 13 new millionaires.

The number of new millionaires and the total population of millionaires set records. The account with the largest sum of money is owned by the citizen of Montenegro whose account amounts to 50,3 million EUR, according to News Agency Pobjeda’s source from the Central Bank of Montenegro. The source revealed the information without naming the individual because doing so is prohibited by law.

"The account with the largest sum of money deposited by an individual amount to 50,281 million EUR and belongs to a single resident. 77 individuals have a deposit in a bank in the amount of more than 1 million EUR," the CBM source said.

The source also revealed that the richest millionaire has deposited 20 million EUR more than the largest deposit by a legal entity in Montenegro. In 2017, there were 64 millionaires in Montenegro, and in 2016, the number of millionaires in Montenegro amounted to 54.

According to the last census, Montenegro has 622,471 inhabitants.

26 January 2019 - According to preliminary data collected by Statistical Office of Montenegro - MONSTAT, the total foreign trade of Montenegro for the period January-December 2018 amounted to 2.954,4 million EUR, indicating an increase of 10% in relation to the same period of the previous year.

The export of goods amounted to 400 million EUR, and the value of imports was estimated to be 2,554 million EUR. Compared to the same period of the previous year, exports increased by 7,7%, while imports increased by 10,9%.

The coverage of import by export was 15,7% and it was lower compared to the same period of the previous year (16,1%).

According to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), the most common export products, which amounted to 107,2 million EUR, including sector 6 products: non-ferrous metals - 74 million EUR and iron and steel – 18,9 million EUR and others.

According to the SITC, the most common import products are Machines and transport devices (sector 7) in the amount of 638.1 million EUR. Machines and transport devices include Road vehicles – 187,2 million EUR and Electrical machinery, apparatus and devices – 124,3 million EUR and others.

The largest foreign trade partners in exports were: Serbia (93 million EUR), Hungary (46 million EUR) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (31 million EUR).

The largest foreign trade partners in import were Serbia (492 million EUR), China (257 million EUR) and Germany (235 million EUR). The foreign trade of goods was mostly conducted with the signatories of CEFTA and with the member countries of the European Union.

January 26, 2019 - On the square in front of St. Tryphon's Basilica in Kotor, with a traditional saying of praise, and by raising the flag in the basilica, the outdoor Festivities of St. Tryphon, held in honour of the saint, patron of Kotor and Kotor’s bishopric, begin. St. Tryphon's Festivities equally belong to the city and the Boka Navy's 1210 old organisation which combines its occurrence with the transfer of St. Tryphon's relics to Kotor.

The beginning of the ceremony will traditionally be marked by the Little Admiral of the Boka Navy Kotor, Martin Jerolim Petrović, who will pronounce Lode, praise the patron saint of the city. After proclaiming Lode, Boka Navy will hold the traditional ceremony of the handover of the duties of the Little Admiral. His predecessor, Luka Kovačević from Herceg Novi, will be given a decision on cessation and Martin at the beginning of the service.

On this day, the Navy elects a Little Admiral, a young boy who accompanies the Admiral during public performances, representing a symbol of generational continuity of the organisation. At the solemn session on 13 January this year, the Admiralty and the Board of Directors of the Boka Navy decided that the Little Admiral for 2019 would be 12-year-old Martin Petrović from Skaljari, Kotor. 

Former Little Admiral, Luka Kovacevic; Copyright: bokanews.com

 

In modern times, the Little Admiral recites Lode according to a text that had been restored in the second half of the 17th century by Bishop Marin II Drago. He wrote them based on a Medieval Latin version not being preserved.

 

Today’s text dates to 1800. Up until 1871, Lode was recited in Italian, and after that in Montenegrin. They were translated from Italian in 1871 by the Prcanj pastor Don Mihovil Florio.

Boka Navy's Round Dance (Kolo) at the St.Tryphon's Square

 

St. Tryphon’s outdoor celebration begins on 27 January, a date that coincides with St. Sava’s Day, which is observed by Orthodox Christians. On this day, after communion and sermon in front of the Church of St. Nicholas, the Orthodox and Roman Catholic believers move towards the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, accompanied by City Music marching band. There, precisely at noon, the Little Admiral of Boka Navy recites lode to St. Tryphon from the Cathedral’s loggia, then St.Tryphon's flag is raised, and the Kolo dance starts.

January 26, 2019 - NGO Hands from Herceg Novi is the organiser of today's Little Orange Festival, held in Herceg Novi for the fifth time. Orange is just one of the gastro topics they dedicate a large number of events to throughout the year. Their themes are, apart from seasonal fruits of the Boka Bay, handicrafts and other forms of creative work but also humanitarian work.

Copyright: NGO Hands Facebook Page

 

"When initiating this winter tourist event 50 years ago, the tourist agents of Herceg Novi and some journalists who were delighted with our town had the dilemma of whether to dedicate it to mimosa or oranges. The decision has fallen on the mimosa, which gave us a chance 45 years later to do the Holiday of Orange, as the writer Nikola Malovic named it after our first festival," explains the president of NGO Hands.

Copyright: Radio Herceg Novi

 

NGO Hands recognised the fact that for sustainable tourism development, we need to be what we are and find modern and affirmative ways to get closer to the public, both at home and abroad. In that sense, their seasonal celebrations glorify all that nature has given us in this area.

24 January 2019 - In the area of customs policy, Montenegro has largely harmonised its legislation with the European one, and the modernization of the customs service will remain a priority this year, so that, with a greater volume of international trade and raising the standard of living, Montenegrin society would be safe, it was noted in the debate on chapter 29 - Customs Union.

Today a public debate was organized in Podgorica on Chapter 29 and the importance of a customs union for citizens and businesses, under the EU4ME project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. 

Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević reminded that Montenegro opened negotiations at the end of 2014 on Chapter 29 and that three final criteria for closing this chapter were defined. They are related to further harmonisation with European legislation and its application, as well as the progress achieved in the development of interconnected IT systems, which is a major challenge. 

"When it comes to Montenegrin business people and entrepreneurs, removing customs barriers will give an opportunity for unhindered product placement, which will facilitate the export of domestic goods to the market of about 500 million consumers. Networking of business entities and increase of exports will positively affect the trade balance and the overall business environment in Montenegro. On the other hand, our citizens will have access to better quality products from EU countries at significantly lower prices due to increased competitiveness," Drljević added.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, reminded that the EU supports the Government of Montenegro in the demanding and expensive task of establishing effective control at the borders, through the financing of the implementation of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), which is the basis for the establishment of other necessary IT systems, in order to protect Montenegrin citizens, public health, the environment and cultural heritage.

He pointed out that Montenegro has achieved a lot in this area, but further progress is needed in certain areas, especially when it comes to the implementation of measures to facilitate trade and work on capacity building of customs officers and the provision of adequate staff. 

Director of the Customs Administration Vladan Joković pointed out that increased volume of international trade and global threats, such as terrorism, organised crime and trade in dangerous materials, led to major changes in the roles and responsibilities of customs officers, which today represent the first line of defense against numerous criminal organisations. For this reason, the primary task of the customs services is to ensure the necessary balance between protecting society and facilitating trade, adding that the development IT system is a major challenge in this negotiating chapter, bearing in mind that a large number of financial investments will be required. 

"The work on strategic projects, obligations fulfillment in the EU agenda, simplification of customs procedures, further strengthening of cooperation with the business environment and uncompromised ties with institutions in terms of strong integrity are priorities in 2019,” Joković said. 

The panel on "Importance of Customs Union for Citizens and Economy" was addressed by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, prof. Nikola Milović, prof. Vladimir Savković from the Faculty of Law, Vice President of the Chamber of Economy of MontenegroLjiljana Filipović, representative of the company "Stadion doo Podgorica", Snezana Terzić, as well as representatives of the customs services of Slovenia and Montenegro Jože Kavčić and Tatjana Vujisić.

25 January 2019 - The Herceg Novi Pensioners Association donated food and provisions in order to provide assistance to socially vulnerable citizens and thus supported the action of the famous humanitarian Zorica Drakulić Vidaković.

Zorica Drakulić Vidaković is a person of a great heart, who, since she was little, has been helping those who have been deprived of the most basic resources in life - food, clothing, a home, and healthcare. Thanks to her insoluble desire and willingness to help those in need to the best of her ability, often putting her own need aside, Zorica is a driving force and participant in numerous humanitarian actions, for which she has been awarded the prestigious annual ISKRA Fund for Active Citizenship.

Vidaković, with the help of her associates, launched a new humanitarian campaign aimed at helping single mothers and families with low income. "Be a donor, a gift provider and help us as you have so far. Thank you in advance to everyone who will respond to the movement," said Drakulić Vidaković.

The donation from the Pensioners Association was used to buy food and supplies for single mothers with several children.

The representatives of the local community association point out that the money for the donation is pulled from the pensioners’ modest fund in order to help the vulnerable.

This initiative was aimed at all people, primarily those in the Red Cross and municipal structures, in order to awaken their sympathy for those who are troubled and in need.

They also called on all humane people to more actively participate in helping the vulnerable citizens of Herceg Novi, as there are plenty of those living on the verge of existence.

Of the 1,700 members of the Local Pensioners' Association of Herceg Novi, most are with low incomes, and 127 of them do not yet have their own roof over their heads.