These sectors are important for our economy as domestic economists have recognized opportunities for successful business operations, and also because tourism, energy, and infrastructure are the most attractive areas for investment for foreign investors as well, it was stated in an interview for the special edition of In Focus Montenegro, by the Ministry of Economy Dragica Sekulić.
She pointed out that a number of major projects in the field of tourism were being implemented, such as projects on Luštica and Kumbor; then in the area of traffic investments, the most important infrastructure project – a highway is being realized - while in the energy sector, important projects are coming to an end, including the submarine cable between Montenegro and Italy, the wind generators at Mozura, and the tender for the construction of large solar power plants which is ongoing.
According to her, the Ministry of Economy continuously conducts support programs for domestic but also foreign companies, given that a foreign investor in our country has national treatment.
"This year, we have 10 programs, for which public tenders are being announced periodically, and through each of them we offer non-refundable financial support to enterprises, which can be used to allocate funds for the purpose of employment, exemption from certain taxes or coverage of 50 percent to 70 percent of the justified costs of equipment procurement, implementation of innovative activities, etc., depending on the program, " Sekulić said.
Among other things, she points out that assistance in all segments of digitization is more than welcome.
"Priorities have already been recognized and identified, and as projects of fundamental importance for social and economic development, they have also gained their place in the recently published Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. The most important segments that will receive support from the European Commission are the development of broadband internet access, e-government development, e-procurement, e-health, internet security and digital skills. This assistance will be initially implemented through technical assistance for project preparation and feasibility studies, and then through financial support for the implementation of the selected projects," she explained. She added that Montenegro also expects support from the regional start-up community in the sense of its inclusion in the "Start-up Europe" ecosystem, by which it will gain visibility and promotion while at the same time gaining access to all relevant information, platforms and events. And as announced, support for research and innovative programs is also planned, as well as the involvement of our regulatory authorities in the work of the European Regulatory Associations. Considering that the Government has management rights and now significant ownership in Elektroprivreda Montenegro, answering the question of how to set up the company's development priorities, Sekulić said that in the next period, the focus will be on the further elaboration and realization of a three-year investment plan of EPCG with a special focus on the realization of projects in the Pljevlja - ecological reconstruction of the existing block and central heating, with special emphasis on the renewal of interests for the construction of large hydroelectric power plants.
Apart from the already initiated reconstruction and modernization projects of three existing power plants, EPCG is working intensively to create the prerequisites for expanding production capacities and new power plants, all in order to better position the regional market of electric power. Also, what the EPCG will focus on in the coming period are significant investments in the distribution network to provide safer and more stable power supplies to end-users," she says.
Sekulić also said that the ecological reconstruction of the Pljevlja thermal power plant is fully in line with the obligations and directives related to the industrial emissions, which derive from Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, and that EPCG has already entered the process by choosing the German company Steag Energy Services GmbH for the preliminary design of TE Pljevlja Ecological Reconstruction Project. "The arrival of the renowned German company in Montenegro represents a serious guarantee that the planned reconstruction of the first TE Pljevlja block will be carried out in accordance with the latest standards and technologies, which will ensure a stable and secure operation of the power plant in the next few decades. It is planned that the reconstruction will be completed by 2022 the latest, after which this plant will operate in accordance with the requirements of the Directive on Industrial Emissions 2010/75 EU," announced the minister.
She also commented on the decision that EPCG takes over Rudnik's stocks because, above all, it is a responsible decision that is in the best interest of both companies and its employees, as well as the states.
"Not only from the technological but also the financial aspect, merging the two companies is the most logical solution. The economic calculation of the whole process is more than clear: it is enough to know that one annual invoice paid by EPCG to RUP, worth EUR 35 million, exceeds the total amount of 30 million for which the company bought Rudnik’s shares. By merging the two companies, the production cost of EPCG has been significantly reduced when it comes to coal purchases, and thus increases its profitability. In addition, EPCG has much higher investment capital in relation to RUP, which is why they are more likely to invest in RUP when it is owned by the EPCG, which further leads to growth in production and job creation," Sekulić said
She also stated that EPCG with RUP is a more stable and independent, and a company with a comprehensive offer - from coal exploitation to power generation. "The interests of foreign companies for EPCG exists, and it was very intense from the moment of launching the Ways for Selling Stocks options by A2A, and in the future, I'm sure, it can only get bigger," Sekulić concluded.
Text by CdM, on July 18th, 2018, read more at CdM
