December 18, 2018 - Last night, certificates were awarded to the students of the training 'Modern communication FOR modern business', which was organized at the New Year's Cocktail Party of the Association of Montenegrin Managers (AMM).

The cocktail party, along with a great presence of the government, diplomatic corps and managers of Montenegrin companies, marked the 5th anniversary of AMM's successful work.

This training proved to be very necessary both for the private sector and the state sector. Therefore, we are planning to continue soon, so the new cycle, with the same concept and lecturers, will begin already on March 1^st, 2019, announced the president of the PR Committee and marketing at the Association of Montenegrin managers and coordinator of the training project Ana Martinovic.

"After these 30 trainees who have successfully completed the training, we already have an interest in the new training cycle, which we plan to continue in cooperation with the Human Resources Management Department, and on this occasion,  I am most warmly thanking on behalf of the AMM," Martinovic said. She said that the training concept and lecturers will be the same, and the lectures will be held at the Human Resources Directorate.

"Whichever managerial level you are at, whether you are the director, the minister, the assistant minister, the assistant director, the head of the cabinet or PR to manage communication is a daily part of your business. Without modern communication, you cannot present your ideas and products well, or everything you do in a company or institution. Without the application of the concept modern communication, there is definitely no modern business," Martinovic said.

Jelena Kaluđerović, PR manager of HP "Budvanska Rivijera", as one of thirteen lecturers, thinks that the training was very successful.

"When education is concerned, we need to know that learning is never enough, we learn while we are alive, and that means we will be able to follow trends only if we are dealing with PR, marketing or any other business," said Kaluđerović.

She said she was honored to have had the opportunity to be one of the lecturers and she succeeded in presenting the most current trends in digital marketing, in the field of blogging and influential marketing, to the participants.

Director of PR & Media Consultancy (PR Center), Milena Kalezić, pointed out that knowledge and experience should be shared.

"My first assessment of the whole concept is one great thank you note to Ana Martinovic and the Association of Montenegrin managers, who brought together those who know how to communicate and gather those who have been doing it for the last ten, 15 years, to learn and improve their skills every day. That's what they accomplished and learned through their everyday work, whether they work in the private sector, in public institutions, and shared with those who are willing to invest in their knowledge," said Kalezic.

On the other hand, she added, all participants who successfully and actively followed this training should be praised, they invested in their knowledge, became competitive in the labor market, and most importantly learned to communicate even more successfully.

We are looking forward to a new cycle of socializing with some young people who are willing to invest in their knowledge or those that are targeted by their managers and institutions in which they find it important for them to learn more and follow the trends of communication," said Kalezic. Public Relations Officer of the Police Directorate, Tamara Pavićević, said that Modern communication for modern business is a modern training for all those who, as she stated, want to deal with communications or already do this through performing their duties and tasks either in the public or in the private sector.

"This training has refined the knowledge of the participants in the field of internal and external communication, in the areas that matter to them, from the beginning to the end, how to communicate in contemporary society. My lecture was about crisis communication that is everyday life in PR, marketing, and communication," Pavicevic said.

According to her, crisis communication is specific and one should invest knowledge and effort in it, stating that the entire team should be included in order to be successfully implemented.

Training attendant Nevena Keković, director of the Institute "Dr. Simo Milošević", said that the training was very comprehensive, assessing that she had at least achieved the expectations of the participants.

"I think that training is something that is important to recommend to every next generation of students and to anyone who might be interested in this type of training, because investment in knowledge, in terms of time and finance, is always something that will be valuable in various spheres, and this training is something that justifies everything invested," said Keković.

Training attendant Mirha Tahirovic, from the PR service of the Parliament of Montenegro, said that she is very pleased to find herself among the participants of the Contemporary Communication Course for Contemporary Business.

"Training is a great opportunity to learn something new from the field of communication. As we have heard many times during training, communication is the key to good business and modern functioning. My warm recommendation is for everyone involved in communication and public relations to attend this training," said Tahirovic.

Text by Vijesti online, on December 14th 2018, read more at Vijesti

December 18, 2018 - One of the most influential Italian journals "Corriere della Sera" - "L'Economia", in the section "Investments abroad" published the article titled "Montenegro invites Italian small and medium enterprises" (Il Montenegro corre e chiama le Pmi italiane). According to the reputable newspaper, the Montenegrin GDP has been multiplied four times since 2000.

The appeal to the president of companies: "Open here. Do business with Montenegro.

A young nation, by numbers, opportunities, the desire for growth and the capacity to attract foreign investors," it read, with a guide to business opportunities published by Honorary Consulate of this Balkan state in Milan: from opening a company, through customs procedures, to average salaries and permits.

The aim is to distribute information on the economic potentials of the state that not only grows but also has great ambitions for the future, bearing in mind its EU entry: integration will be officially completed in 2025. Montenegro is 42nd out of 190 in the classification "Doing Business 2018" by the World Bank.

"We have national sovereignty that is older than a millennium and a turbulent history," Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said. Montenegro, precisely in the view of its strategic position between the mountains and the sea, at the crossroads of roads and the army, had to spill a lot of blood to remain an oasis of freedom of the Balkan peninsula. Also, until the collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, our country, although developed from an industrial point of view, has nevertheless remained extremely poor."

However, after a political departure from Serbia, the Montenegrin republic began to build an industrial, tax and economic system for itself: from choosing to use the euro (the first option was the German mark) in 2002, until joining the World Trade Organization in 2012.

"Strategies are designed, among other things, to attract foreign investors," notes Djukanovic - especially the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. They achieved significant results in just a few years: in less than 20 years, the gross national product of Montenegro, a country with 700,000 inhabitants, has been multiplied by four, from 1 billion in 2000 (984 million) to 4,77 billion euros in 2017, with almost 700 million foreign investments. Economic growth since 2006, the average economic growth rate is 3.3 per cent, but with years when the growth was even 10 per cent. Growth initiates primarily tax policy based more on consumption taxes than on income. The average VAT rate today is 21%. While the rate of corporate income tax is very favorable, the lowest in the Balkans.

Companies pay a unique tax rate of 9%: in Albania it is 10%, while in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia it is 20%. An attractive tax policy follows the development of more sectors. First of all, agriculture, a sector that, with renewable energy, is considered to have great potential. The government's plan envisions funds for rural development in the amount of 4.5 million euros, thanks to the candidacy of Montenegro to enter the European Union, and an additional $50 million allocated from the Abu Dhabi Fund.

Another growing sector is construction: the value of construction facilities amounted to 453.6 million euros in 2016, out of which 171.8 million were spent on infrastructure and transport.

There is also tourism. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct share of this sector in national GDP (+6.7 per cent in 2017) will grow in the coming years. It is estimated that the total share will be 31.2 per cent in 2027, with a total value of 1.6 billion euros.

Bearing pillars of Montenegro's development are small and medium-sized enterprises (among them Italian ones). Since 2014 the state has been included in the EU program "Competitiveness of small and medium enterprises" but also numerous support and development programs for foreign companies. Information on investments and incentives in 23 Montenegrin municipalities can be found on the portal www.investmentlocations.me.

Regarding Montenegro, according to the paper, two are encouraging factors for Italian investors:

"The road to the European Union and the significant surplus Italy has in its exchange with this country." Therefore, for Erika Kosuta, the president of Ocean Montenegro, a logistics company with a turnover of 40 million, which has just invested three million in this country, this is the nation to focus on. "The Balkans is a strategic space between the East and West markets," says Kosut. After all, there are already many national companies that have found commercial opportunities there, especially in the areas of luxury and food industry."

The energy sector is in a dynamic increase.

"Terna - says the entrepreneur, ends the first submarine cable to transfer energy from one coast to the other, while ENI launched an open-sea exploration with Russian Novatek. Montenegro is a political one, except that it is an economic opportunity. "Investments concentrate on the energy sector: the disparity between the production and consumption of electricity forces Montenegro that almost 40% is imported from international markets. Although the hydroelectric power industry has reached a good level of development, the deficit of energy use of wind, solar and biomass energy remains."

Montenegro "has reduced commercial legislation and an understandable tax system: costs are costs, and revenues are revenues, a thing that for one Italian has the taste of miracles. Providing the investor with the conditions to think about his job, and not to replace the state, is something that makes Montenegro a country to invest, according to Sigilfred Montinari, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hipotekarna bank from Podgorica. It is the second bank in Montenegro and a technological leader with 18 branches and 220 employees. In the opinion of Montinari, the state has become attractive to investors, especially for Italians.

"In addition to the stronger sides made in Italy, such as food and fashion, said Montinari, the immediate opportunities are classical for a country with strong growth: construction and infrastructure."Terrain for large companies such as “Terna”, which is implementing an electric power interconnection that will connect the Balkans with Italy and “Pizzarotti”, which builds a tourist settlement worth over 600 million.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, on the other hand, "there are opportunities in the areas of lighting, furnishing, special equipment and facilities". But also "in wood processing - Italy is the leader in the production of woodworking machines - and in the areas of renewable energy, tourism, agriculture: for the last two sectors, the state gives incentives."

Text by Corriere della Sera , on December 17th 2018, read more at CdM

17 December 2018 - This year, Porto Montenegro has had the honour to become a partner of a prestigious British event - The British Yachting Awards, sponsored by two leading sailing British magazines: Sailing Today and Yachts & Yachting.

The British Yachting Awards, the only sailing awards that are voted for entirely by consumers, were held on Tuesday, December 11, at the prestigious Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London, celebrating the best that the sailing industry has to offer. The event awarded the champions in various nautical categories, including Sportsboat of the Year, Dinghy of the Year, Charter Destination of the Year, Best Cruising Yacht, Bluewater Cruiser, Youth Sailor, Amateur Sailor, Racing Performance, UK Marina Destination, Performance Yacht, Sailing Event, Pro Sailor, Equipment Innovation and many others.

During the awards, it was emphasized that 2018 had seen a lot of exceptional deeds, with numerous newly set records, new products that have impressed, and individual and team performances that set new standards. According to the organizers, in many categories, the numbers of votes were extremely tight, reflecting the strength of the sport and also its increasing diversity.

Porto Montenegro was the sponsor of the Cruising Yacht of the Year Award. As explained by the organizers, “for heading across the channel and hopping across the coast of Europe or just weekends away with the family, there are a few cruising boats that caught our eye this year”. The nominees included “Beneteau Oceanis 51.1”, “Dufour 460 GL”, “Hanse 458”, “Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410” and “Southerly 480”. This award was presented by Porto Montenegro’s Marina Director Tony Browne to the representative of the French giant Beneteau for “Beneteau Oceanis 51.1” Cruising Yacht.

The sponsors of The British Yachting Awards 2018 included Musto, Sailing Today, Yachts & Yachting, Astins, Brutons Propellers, Culture Sailing, GAC Pindar, Garmin, Ocean Sailing Scotland, Pantaenius Sail & Motor Insurance, Porto Montenegro, Poole Quay Boat Haven, Seafarer, Seago and UKSA.

The presence and even sponsorship of this kind of event are significant for Porto Montenegro. A large number of business partners and clients of the Tivat Marina come from the British market, and this event is an excellent opportunity for representatives of Porto Montenegro to meet them, and present the nautical and tourist products of Porto Montenegro and Bay of Kotor.

December 17, 2018 - The Montenegrin power distribution system, after a detailed review made by the Commission for the opening and evaluation of bids of the offer submitted by the Consortium, comprised by “Mezon” Danilovgrad, “Electro Team” Budva and “Ramel” Niksic, selected the most favorable tender in the procedure of public procurement of works for the needs of Project of revitalization of the medium and low voltage electric power network in Montenegro.

"With the mentioned contractor a lump sum agreement will be concluded for a period of 24 months. The total value of the works envisaged for the duration of the lump sum agreement, with VAT included, is 22 million and 400 thousand euros, while in the first year the works will be carried out in the total value of around 12 million and 400 thousand euros," CEDIS announced.

The start of the works is planned for February next year.

"The revitalization project for the medium voltage (SN) and low voltage (NN) electricity network is part of the investment plan for 2019-2021, which foresees the realization of investment projects for EUR 81.6 million," they said.

Through the Revitalization Project, from 2019-2021, in the SN network, about 480 km will be adapted, which, as they add, makes about 13 percent of the SN network above the ground and about eight thousand posts, while around 990 km of NN network will be adapted and about 28 thousand posts.

"A significant portion of the funds will be allocated for the revitalization of the medium and low voltage networks from which the rural area in the north is charged. The realization of this project will provide more reliable and better-quality power supply, as well as a smaller number of power outages, and infrastructure prerequisites for connection of new users will be created, "they concluded.

Text by CdM, on December 16th, 2018, read more at CdM

16 December 2018 - The tender for the ecological reconstruction of the first block of the Thermal power Plant Pljevlja is expected to be invited at the beginning of next year, said the Minister of Economy, Dragica Sekulić.

She pointed out that she expected the Electric Power Company of Montenegro to join the reconstruction.

“This project will be very effective and make people in Pljevlja stay,” said Sekulić.

Another important task is the heating process that will be financed from the budget of the Directorate of Public Works and Municipality of Pljevlja. Out of a total of 60 million EUR,  40 million EUR is planned for ecological reconstruction of the first block of the Thermal power Plant Pljevlja and the remaining 20 million EUR for the heating of the town.

Sekulić also announced the adoption of the Plan for the Exploitation of mineral raw materials that will give a clear review of the core findings in Montenegro.

“We expect this Plan will create good foundations for every next concession plan,” said Sekulić.

During the mid-November, a meeting on building a Cement Plant in Pljevlja was held in the Chamber of Commerce Montenegro. The meeting was attended by numerous guest, such as representatives of Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, the Municipality of Pljevlja, as well as the representatives of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro. 

"Bearing in mind the realization of large infrastructure projects in the sectors of transport, energy and tourism, it is necessary to make a decision as soon as possible on the possibility of starting the cement production in Pljevlja and valorizing quality resources, which, for this purpose, this area is rich in," as concluded at the meeting.

14 December 2018 - On Thursday, December 13, the Board of Directors of the Association of Montenegrin Banks, which consists of the directors of all banks in Montenegro, discussed the situation in the banking system in Montenegro during an official session.

Namely, the main topic of the session was the stability of the banking system of the country after the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBM) introduced the provisional administration to Atlas Bank and IBM Bank on December 7th, based on the audit process previously carried out in those banks.

The conclusion of the session of the Board of Directors was that the introduction of interim management in Atlas Bank and Invest Bank Montenegro (IBM) did not have a negative effect on the stability of the banking system, as no significant withdrawal of deposits was made.

"After analysing information of the period which includes several days after the introduction of interim administrations, the Board noted that these measures did not have a negative effect on the stability of the banking sector, as no deposit withdrawals from banks had occurred. We expect that the system will remain stable in the forthcoming period as well, "the statement said.

Association of Montenegrin Banks fully supports all decisions of the Central Bank of Montenegro in its effort to find a recovery solution for Atlas and IBM Bank as soon as possible so that the clients of both banks have as little inconvenience as possible due to the temporary blockade of funds disposal.

13 December 2018 - Road infrastructure has never seen more investments in the history of Montenegro. Last year, around 47 million EUR was spent on roads.

“When I started serving this function, the greatest challenges for me were the motorway and the Montenegro Airlines. We have zero tolerance for the quality of works on the motorway. This is the most difficult section in Europe. The complete loop will not be constructed, only the access road. We will complete the water supply along the entire route of the motorway. Permanent electricity supply is another important segment of this project. Apart from the motorway, we are working on the remaining road network. From the north to the south,” said the Minister of Transport, Osman Nurković.

As he says, almost 95 km of roads were reconstructed in two years. Speaking of the motorway, he said that the Government was looking for the modalities for the continuation of the Bar-Boljare motorway (second section). He added that 17 projects on the railway were being implemented.

Nurković also noted Montenegro Airlines was a big challenge.

“It was just a matter of a say when it would stop working, but we are determined to help them. The company survived. If it went out of business, we would be faced with serious consequences. However, we managed to rationalize it and eliminate the unnecessary expenses. One of the options is that the Government recovers the company. The other is to privatize it. The third option is a liquidation,” said the Minister. Some decision about the future of this company will have to be rendered in the forthcoming days said Nurković.

“Current situation is such that the airports do not satisfy the needs since a huge number of passengers is interested in Montenegro. There are so many shortcomings. We must improve the situation and extend the capacities. That can be done by somebody who has money and knowledge. We gave very serious requirements that the concessionaire will have to fulfill,” said Nurković.

He expects that the Government will soon adopt the concession act and repeated that giving the Airports on concession is the most beneficial investments project for the state.

The most significant success is bringing the seamen back on the whitelist.

“Seamen were marginalized. The state has to pay much more attention to them. We have signed the agreement with Portugal, about to sign one with the Netherlands and we are planning to renew the agreement with Ukraine”, said Nurković.

Minister also said that they would not tolerate the delays in the construction of the boulevard along Donja Gorica, that is in charge of “Tehno put.”

Montenegro has recently received an additional 68.6 million EUR of non-refundable support from the EU and bilateral donors of the West Balkans Investments Framework for the implementation of four investment projects in the area of transport and the environment and the preparation of project documentation for two new projects. Read more information here.

12 December 2018 - Prime Minister Duško Marković said earlier today at the Prime Minister's Questions session at the Parliament of Montenegro that the northern region of Montenegro has been less developed than the other two regions for decades, that this underdevelopment was characterised by a higher unemployment rate, lower incomes and a low rate of economic growth, but that two years of consistent economic policy measures resulted in positive developments in all of these aspects.

"Today we are witnessing new kilometres of modern roads, new ski centres, schools, kindergartens, reconstructed hospitals," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Government's commitment to balanced regional development has been confirmed in the past two years through the funds allocated to projects in the northern region within the Capital Budget, but also within sectoral budgets, such as agribusiness or investment budgets of individual ministries.

"When it comes to the budget of the Directorate of Public Works and the Directorate of Transport for the previous two years, more than 81 million EUR were allocated to the projects in the north. Furthermore, significant funds were allocated to the Investment and Development Fund aimed at more dynamic development of less developed municipalities. In 2017 and 2018, this development fund allocated around 70 million EUR to entrepreneurship and growth of business in the municipalities of Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Gusinje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Plužine, Rozaje, Šavnik and Žabljak. These funds created 856 new jobs. In addition, projects in the north are financed through the Regional Housing Programme, the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans, the European Union's IPA funds, and the funds of the European Investment Bank," Prime Minister Duško Marković noted.

The Prime Minister stressed that he is particularly pleased with the investors' positive reactions to the development potentials of the North. "We have recently signed new long-term lease agreements based on which the high-class hotel facilities will be built at the Kolašin 1600 location and at the location of the former military resort in Žabljak. Therefore, at the end of 2017, we established a state-owned ski resort company, based in Mojkovac, in order to improve quality of the existing infrastructure, but also to implement development investment policies more efficiently. An additional impetus to our efforts is the construction of the priority section of the Bar-Boljare motorway, which will connect the northern region with the central and southern ones. The construction of the motorway will be continued with the ultimate goal of connecting with the European Highway Network. By the end of 2019, more than 500 million EUR will be invested in this project," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded.