04 August 2019 - The rich cultural heritage of Samograd settlement located in Bijelo Polje, where Bronze Age treasures, Roman remains and early Christian basilicas were discovered, is expected to develop archaeological-religious tourism in the Bijelo Polje region.

Research conducted by archaeologists from the Polimski Museum has revealed a hitherto unknown image of Samograd, an extremely valuable site in Prijelozi near Bijelo Polje, reports RTCG. The remains of the walls of the two early Christian basilicas are a great cultural and spiritual legacy of Samograd, to which numerous legends are related. It preserves the traditions and traces of old landmarks.

This extremely rich archaeological site has been under investigation for four years. Valuable exhibits found at the site, including a gold cross with a ruby, have been preserved in the Polimski Museum. Detailed analysis of Samograd leads to new findings.

The intention of the archaeologists is to preserve and protect the heritage of Samograd and to make the archaeological site a tourist resource. The idea is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro and the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, which relies on rich cultural and natural heritage. In parallel with Bjelasica and Đalovića cave, the archaeologists are elaborating the plans for affirmation of archaeological-religious tourism.

Researchers are already developing the concept of a tourist offer of Samograd, which is located among six rocks.

Efforts to turn the archaeological site into a unique tourist spot by authentic upgrading are aimed at creating a new brand, which the local community can profit from. That is why the archaeologists have put their focus on connecting Samograd to the access roads in their plans for archaeological tourism affirmation.

Archaeologists are ready for further studies and discoveries in Samograd, which should be affirmed by tourists as a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Traces of the Bronze Age, the remains of a Roman fortified city, stone monuments and early Christian basilicas were mapped as a platform for upgrading the most attractive tourist offer in both Bijelo Polje and the north of the country.

Read more about locations you should visit while travelling through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

04 August 2019 - A public call for the construction of a wind farm in Brajići with an installed capacity of more than 70 megawatts should be announced soon.

The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Information on the announcement of a public call for a long-term lease of state-owned land for the construction of a wind farm on the site Brajići - Budva and Bar municipalities. The Ministry of Economy of Montenegro is in charge of issuing the public call for the lease. It is proposed to lease 13,8 million square meters of state-owned land at the following sites: Brajići, Kuljače, Utrg, Ovtočići, Tomići and Brčeli located in the municipalities of Budva and Bar, reports Investitor Portal.

Six years ago the company Vjetroelektrana Budva, owned by the German company WDP Europe and headed by Golub Senić, showed interest in the construction of the wind farm in Brajići.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro issued licenses for measuring and exploring wind potential at the sites in the cadastral municipalities of Kuljača and Reževići II from May 2013 to November 2017. Based on these measurements, the energy potential sufficient for wind power of more than 70 megawatts was estimated.

As Pobjeda daily previously reported, the Government of Montenegro has formed a board composed of representatives of the ministries of finance, tourism and economy, who drafted a tender text, with a land lease agreement, to which the ministries gave positive opinions. The documentation of the Real Estate Administration, which includes extracts from the real estate listings, the area and the way of using the parcels and the information about the owner or holder, was also provided.

The tender provides for the possibility of concluding a contract on guaranteed purchase of electricity on market terms.

"This avoids the possibility of government taking over risks in part of the impact on the rise in electricity prices for consumers in Montenegro," the information explained.

Read more information on lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

04 August 2019 - Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development of Montenegro Rafet Husović hosted US Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke. The two officials discussed current political situation in Montenegro, foreign policy priorities and priorities in the field of economy and regional development.

The Government has been increasing investments in less developed areas and municipalities over the last 10 years, and they are now a major part of the capital budget - proof of this is the construction of motorway and four ski centers, with the implementation of a number of major social and health infrastructure projects.

"We support municipalities to increase capacity to accept additional investment from the State, European funds and private investors. Additional business support needs to be provided - especially for small and medium enterprises in the North Montenegro," said Husović in the Government's report.

He also added that the Government of Montenegro is committed to achieving the stability of the country and the security of all citizens, especially through NATO membership.

"We are making efforts to achieve better economic indicators that will encourage young people, especially in the Northern Region, to build their future in Montenegro. We do all this in partnership and with the support of the United States of America and their Embassy in Montenegro, for which we are grateful," DPM Husović stressed.

Ambassador Reinke emphasised that during her mandate, the United States of America will continue to support Montenegro's full integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions and the strengthening of alliance and partnership between the two countries.

"We will also support Montenegro in its accession to the European Union, its institutional and economic development, improvement of its business environment and development of entrepreneurship and business," Reinke stressed out.

"In particular, we will work on deepening the relations between citizens of Montenegro and the United States, in order to increase the number of US investors in Montenegro, who, according to their experience so far, are welcome," concluded Ambassador Reinke.

Read more news about business in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

04 August 2019 - Minister of Culture of Montenegro Aleksandar Bogdanović recently met with the Minister of Human Capacities of Hungary Miklos Kasler in Budapest.

The two officials discussed cooperation between the two countries in the area of culture, particularly referring to the continuation and dynamic of joint activities, agreed during the previous meeting, which took place this February. 

03 August 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković congratulated President of the Municipality Mijuško Bajagić, President of the Municipal Assembly Petar Mitić, members of the Municipal Assembly and citizens on the Municipality Day of Plužine - 4 August.

"The strong development of the North through last year's investments of 340 million EUR and even more ambitious plans for this year will mean raising the quality of life of citizens, creating new jobs and creating perspectives for young people," the Prime Minister's congratulatory message reads.

The opportunities for valorisation of development potentials, he added, are also based on a vision of municipal leadership that recognises the needs of the population and its prosperity. In this respect, the door of the Government is also wide open to all initiatives aimed at improving the standard of living of our citizens.

"I am convinced that cooperation and communication can give impetus to the accelerated development of the municipality of Plužine and the entire Durmitor area," Prime Minister Duško Marković noted.

Total Montenegro News wrote many times about Northern Montenegro, a location that offers many different experiences and unique moments, with each varying from one other. In this part of Montenegro, there are lots of mountains one can visit, hike, and try to conquer their peaks. This region features untouched nature and wild beauty that reflects through amazing landscapes and breath-taking sceneries. The Hiking Break Tour discuses all the possibilities that Plužine municipality has to offer.

Similarly, Plužine and Piva Lake can perfectly serve as weekend getaway locations, since this mountain region, intersected with the canyons of Piva, Tara and Komarnica never failed to attract nature lovers from all over the world 

Read more news about business in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

03 August 2019 - The American billionaire and the founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, is on a family cruise with his wife, Melinda, and their three children on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.

Mr Gates, accompanied by his wife, Melinda, and three children, came to Montenegro by his super-yacht Lady S docked in front of Kotor and Risan until 28 July, when the Gates family decided to visit Sveti Stefan and then Porto Montenegro.  Anchored in front of the old town of Kotor, the yacht attracted the attention of locals and tourists alike, but the identity of the family was kept strictly confidential throughout their stay in Montenegro. According to unofficial information, Gates was seen swimming at Risan, while several guests of the five-star Regent Hotel in Porto Montenegro allegedly saw him and his family resting and playing tennis. Guests of the hotel reported that Gates and his group were very unassuming, reports The Dubrovnik Times. A ninety-three-meter long yacht which costs an amazing 1.4 million USD a week to charter, on which Bill Gates’ family is cruising, was accompanied by a smaller boat with a helicopter on deck.

According to CdM, American millionaire Daniel Snyder was also seen in Montenegro in the company of the second richest man in the world. Snyder is the majority owner of the Washington football team, the Washington Redskins, the founder of Snyder Communications and the primary investor in Red Zebra Broadcasting. The reporters also learned that Gates and Snyder had dinner together on August 3^rd, at the luxurious Nobu restaurant on Sveti Stefan, Budva.

According to Pobjeda daily, on Wednesday Bill Gates visited several eye-catching localities in the north of the country, among other things, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge and tried zip lining above Tara river canyon. After that, he experienced the Tara River by rafting.

As many bodyguards surrounded them, reporters couldn't approach them or take photos. The billionaire hasn’t commented to the media or allowed any photographers to come closer.

“According to those who saw them, Bill Gates and his family are simple and spontaneous people, they enjoyed the outstanding natural beauty of Tivat and the Boka Bay and tourist offer of Porto Montenegro,” writes Vijesti daily. Gates allegedly arrived in Montenegro from Croatia.

01 August 2019 - Azmont Investments, developer of Portonovi, is delighted and proud to announce that August 1st will see the start of the operations of Portonovi Resort Montenegro, set to be one of the most prestigious resorts in this part of Europe.

Situated in one of the most beautiful spots in Boka Bay (Kumbor, Herceg Novi), Portonovi is comprised of 26 hectares of exclusivity with over 1.8 kilometres of beachfront access, delivering 214 residences with a variety of tenure in its first phase.

As its main message to the world says, Portonovi Montenegro Essence, this unique place embodies all the moments, details and virtues that Montenegro as a country offers, both visible and known, but also hidden and undiscovered.

Azmont Investments, the main investor to Portonovi, believes that what makes Montenegro truly magical are its people, its untouched nature, its long history and diverse culture which welcomes visitors, travellers, nature-lovers, artists and like-minded people from all over the world. To add to this, they are very happy to start the resort operations this year and have it alive before completing everything, at the same time looking into the grand opening next year.

Portonovi will provide the very best in service and understated luxury and world-class amenities that include deep-water D-Marin Portonovi Marina already welcoming its first guests, Europe’s first One&Only and Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa which are to open in 2020.

The Resort’s architecture has been inspired by the authentic charm and character of traditional Boka Bay villages and holds a strong connection with the sea. In Portonovi, no two experiences will be the same. At every time of year, and from daytime into evening, there will be something new to delight your senses: foods to taste, sights to excite, and new people to connect with.

Azmont Investments invites all tourists, local and foreign, to enjoy the bespoke experience at their Portonovi Beach Club with its amazing summer menu and carefully selected bar offer. First restaurants, cafes and an Italian gelateria will be a perfect blend of everyone’s August delights. Additionally, as of August 1st, Portonovi guests will enjoy the service of the check-in/check-out border cross procedures within the D-Marin Portonovi Marina. Throughout 2019, new brands, places and services will be enriching the Portonovi Montenegro Essence experience - waiting for individuals to indulge.

Find more information on places to visit when you travel through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

31 July 2019 - The Secretary-General of the Government of Montenegro has published the fourth issue of Eurokaz - Magazine on EU integration of Montenegro in July 2019.

The latest issue of Eurokaz emphasizes the importance of Montenegro's accession to the European Union, and the authors of the articles and their interlocutors talk about Montenegro’s accomplishments during the seven years of the negotiation process, the importance of proclaiming Salina in Ulcinj a nature park, Montenegrin prosciutto as a quality Montenegrin product that deserves European attention, regional cooperation, as well as many other topics of importance for the EU accession process.

Within a number of columns, Eurokaz presents the current status of the negotiation process, the results of the reforms that Montenegro is implementing in the accession process, successful examples of the use of EU funds, as well as evaluations by the partners from the civil sector.

“EU membership will present numerous opportunities before our citizens and our country as a whole. We need to be prepared in time and be informed in the right way. For this reason, the Ministry of European Affairs started the Eurokaz, which is the result of our desire to present to the citizens of Montenegro, to our friends and partners the activities and mission of this sector of the Government and to familiarize the citizens with the EU accession process and to keep them informed of the development along that path,” said Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, Minister of European Affairs.

Interviewees of Eurokaz from Montenegrin institutions and organizations, as well as representatives of EU Member States, speak on current topics in the negotiation process and on the current issues in the field of EU functioning.

The magazine is published every six months and is available on the websites of the Office for European Integration and eu.me.

The authors of Eurokaz include representatives of the Government of Montenegro, journalists of Montenegrin print and electronic media and representatives of the civil sector.

“Every six months, Eurokaz will testify to the dedication and decisiveness of the society to take Montenegro to the group of the most developed countries of the European continent, point out to the remaining but also to the fulfilled tasks and commitments from all negotiation fields,” highlighted  Mr. Pejović.

The fourth issue of Eurokaz can be downloaded here, while you can review and download earlier issues here.

Read more about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

30 July 2019 - Budva Municipality gets an official mobile application within the #DynaMob 2.0 project – says the statement of the PR service of the local government of Budva Municipality, in which they announced that they developed an interactive Dyn-APP smartphone application.

The mobile application will allow residents and tourists to have accurate and timely information on all contents that Budva has to offer: timetables and public transport stations, pedestrian and bicycle paths, free parking spaces, etc. It aims to bring together all city services in one place and provide immediate information tourists are interested in, which promotes the commercial sector and generates value to citizens.

Users will also be able to choose the most convenient means of transportation from their location to the desired hotel, restaurant, cultural and historical monument or some other place they prefer to visit.

The application will contain the most important data on all places in Budva, as well as weather forcast and other valuable information for citizens, which will both improve their quality of life and generate wealth.

You can view the presentation and application interface on the official Facebook profile of Budva Municipality.

The #DynaMob 2.0 project is part of the EU-funded Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro program through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II). It represents a joint initiative of five municipalities: the Municipality of Budva and the municipalities of Copertino and Campobasso in Italy, the municipalities of Skrapar and Tirana in Albania, as well as the Italian company Agenzia Formativa Ulisse and the Tirana Chamber of Economy.

This project aims to promote the use of sustainable means of transport in the area of its implementation. In the coming months, the Municipality of Budva announced that two fully viable routes would be designated and equipped, the use of which will be intended exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.

Read more information useful for travelling to and through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

30 July 2019 - During the working visit to the city municipality of Golubovci, where he presented encouraging results of the Government's support to plant production, in particular to tillage and vegetable farming, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović and his associates met with representatives of city municipality Golubovci headed by Tanja Stajović.

The meeting discussed the current Government policies focused on the further development of business, especially agricultural production and entrepreneurship, job creation and improvement of infrastructure and the living and working conditions in this area.

Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović particularly expressed satisfaction with the effects of the Government's capital development projects, such as the construction of a new boulevard from Podgorica to Golubovci and a secondary vocational school worth more than 10 million EUR.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed enhanced control in order to eliminate the illegal exploitation of gravel and sand in the lower stream of the Morača River, as stated in the announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro.

Finally, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović stated that the Government of Montenegro has already allocated 1,23 million EUR of grants for 1.800 farmers from 21 municipalities for the development of tillage and vegetable farming, while the processing of requests for an additional 800.000 EUR is ongoing.

As a result of one of the measures – a public call for support to vegetable farming – a total of 384 agricultural producers from 14 municipalities were supported, who invested almost 1 million EUR and received non-refundable support of 415.000 EUR. Investments covered the purchase of seeds, seedlings, foils, while the support amounted to 40 to 50%. In Podgorica, 122 producers received 125.000 EUR, or 30% of the total amount of support.

Read more news about business in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.