November 14, 2018- NGO “Matica Boke”, in cooperation with the Serbian Consulate General in Herceg Novi and the company Porto Montenegro, will celebrate the centenary of the Austro-Hungarian fleet delivered to the Yugoslav Royal Navy. The event will be held on Friday, November 16, at 7pm at the Maritime Heritage Collection of Porto Montenegro.

On October 31, 1918, a charter was handed over to Pula, where a significant part of the fleet was stationary at the military naval Arsenal in Tivat. Tivat journalist and publicist Siniša Luković will talk about this event.

In cooperation with the Serbian Consulate General in Herceg Novi, a projection of the documentary film "Forgotten Admiral - Ernest Troubridge" is planned. The film features a biographical story of Britain's Admiral Ernest Troubridge, who arrived in Belgrade in 1915 and as commander of the British mission on the Danube along with the Serbs opposed the attack on Serbia

The film produced by RTS in 2017 is based on the diaries of Admiral Ernest Troubridge, which he ran during his stay in Serbia, and where the most significant moments were recorded during the war with the Serbian army. A good part of this documentary about the British Admiral who later became the chief commander of the Alliance fleet in the Mediterranean was shot in London.

The film is titled in English. The entrance to the event at the Maritime Heritage Collection in Porto Montenegro marina is free of charge.

November 14, 2018 - The ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Capital Cetinje, on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the town, was held today at Ivan Crnojevic Hall in the Government House. Summing up between two holidays, the Mayor of Cetinje Aleksandar Kašćelan said that the process of fiscal consolidation has begun, that the measures of saving and rationalization have been initiated at all levels, that conditions have been created for new investments and attracting of new investors.

Kašelan, as the key projects for the development of the town, cited the rationalization of projects envisioned by the Capital Development Plan for 2019. 

"In the first place, it is meant to finally solve the problem of water supply for which the planned investment is about 4 million euros. It is also important to continue the construction of town roads, complete the reconstruction of the abyss, but also to create conditions for new employment through the purchase of the former Obod. We see it as a development resource that could be put into operation as a unique business zone where, in cooperation with domestic and foreign investors, small and medium enterprises will be opened for which certain interests already exist," Kašćelan said, adding that the priority and the purchase of space at Studentski Square, in order to use this locality for the rebuilding of the hotel “Lokanda”.

He also stated that the continuation of activities on the improvement of rural road infrastructure, the continuation of the tourist valorization of the town, Rijeka Crnojevica and Skadar Lake is planned and the reconstruction of the former children's hospital. Kašelan said that a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed this morning with the Ministry of Education, which also envisions the construction of a gym for sports education in the elementary school "Lovćenski partizanski odred”. He also said that the renewal of state independence and the success in implementing internal and foreign policy priorities is the best indicator that we are worthy of our ancestors. "Proud of our town, its history, tradition, beauty, on this day, we continue to fill the pledge of the capital's liberators to build Cetinje as a prosperous place," he concluded.

The ceremonial session was opened by the President of Cetinje Assembly, Maja Cetkovic, who said that "freedom and name were lost after the end of the Great War in 1918 in front of the shut eyes of the victorious nations, we have been resurrected and re-paid for the new world conflict, when even in the same machine of the Allies, of even greater warfare, and better war and post-war luck, Montenegro was part of."

On the occasion of the marking Capital’s day of Cetinje, the delegation of the Assembly of the Capital Cetinje and the Association of NOR units placed wreaths on the memorial to deceased soldiers in Nova dzada and at the cemetery of Vlaska Church.

Text by Cetinjski list, on November 13th, 2018, read more at CdM

November 14, 2018 - 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, it was estimated at a meeting in the Chamber of Commerce Montenegro, which was attended by the President of this association, Vlastimir Golubović, and the Minister of Economy, Dragica Sekulić, with associates, representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, the Municipality of Pljevlja, the Electric Power Industry of Montenegro, the Coal Mine, Railway Infrastructure, the Faculty of Civil Engineering and prominent businessmen.

According to Golubovic, Montenegro imported cement worth 41,149,891 euros in the previous year, while in the first nine months of this year 39,043,241 euros were spent for that purpose. He also said that the Strategy for the Development of Civil Engineering in Montenegro by 2020 foresees building the capacity for the production of cement, with the full respect of the ecological standards of environmental protection and quality of life, as well as new capacities for the production of brick, gypsum, and additives.

The cement factory should be built in Pljevlja, according to the initiative, because this municipality is rich in marl, coal, fly ash and gypsum.

This would allow the valorization of marl which, in the exploitation of coal, is a waste. Using marls for the needs of the cement factory would reduce the area for the outlying landfills and the costs of coal production. The use of fly ash from TPP Pljevlja would substantially solve the problem of its disposal. An optimal valorization of coal with higher thermal efficiency would be achieved. As a basic energy fuel, coal from the Pljevlja basin would be used.

By building a factory of cement, and later other plants for the production of concrete semi-finished products and finished products, it would be possible to increase the road traffic, rail and port capacities. By opening a cement factory and through related jobs, it would be possible to employ 800 to 1000 workers.

PHOTO: PKCG

During the meeting, besides the economic benefits, it was also pointed to the ecological reasons, since the cement plant would also use the by-products of the Thermal Power Plant Pljevlja as a raw material. Businessmen believe that it is necessary to find an experienced and quality investor who, using modern technology, will make the best use of this raw material and be able to sell the produced cement quantities on the regional market in conditions of strong competition.

They point out that the old cement factory in Pljevlja, which has been working for 12 years, produced better quality cement than the competition in the region, that is, Dalmatia, Kosjeric and Kostolac. The divided opinions were heard whether the precondition for the construction and operation of cement factory is the realization of a railway line project between Bijelo Polje and Pljevlja. It was pointed out that the transport of cement to road traffic routes would lead to their possible rapid damage, but on the other hand, it was pointed out also the example of Kosjeric where the railways are not used for this purpose at all.

According to Sekulić, the project for the construction of a cement plant requires a serious private investor who could place Montenegrin cement on the market of the region or beyond. The investor is the one who should recognize the economic interest and ultimately whether the construction of the cement plant is acceptable. The model that the investor can elaborate can also involve the construction of the mentioned railway line. The state, he said, is developing an environment that is attractive for investment and will soon organize a public tender for expressions of interest and present the mineral resources available, which can be used for the production of the cement.

PHOTO: PKCG

"In this way, we will get feedback from the businessmen, about the willingness to invest as well as the possible models of using the mineral resources we have available. If the interest in investing in the cement plant is expressed, then the creation of documentation would involve the granting of marl for concession and specification other conditions whose fulfillment would contribute to the profitability of this business," Sekulić said.

Mirko Djacic, president of the municipality of Pljevlja, said that the undeniable advantages of a cement plant in terms of hiring people and using the by-products of the thermal power plant are there. He thinks that the most complex challenge is to find investors. According to him, it can be a strong private company or the state through the Coal Mine or Electro company of Montenegro.

The long-time director of the Coal Mine and the former cement factory in Pljevlja, Djordjie Dzuverovic, said that the cement from Pljevlja had very good results in terms of water-resistances and color that is suitable for natural-concrete - very demanded in the world market. He believes that for the construction of a new cement factory, it is necessary first to remedy the current ecological problems in that town by central heating with the source from the Thermal Power Plant. Director of Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant Vladimir Šestović said that ash, slag, and chemical gypsum are a big problem for this company and that the cement factory is a unique chance that all this by-product and marl from the waste-point Jagnjilo to be used as raw materials. Ljubisa Ćurčić, the director of Railway Infrastructure, said that this company completed the preliminary design of the construction of the railroad’s route Pljevlja-Bijelo Polje in the length of 56.42 kilometers. In the first years, it would transport 1.2 million tons of cargo, and later up to 1.7 million tons.

He believes that the construction of this railroad route is necessary for the functioning of the cement plant. Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering dr. Radenko Pejovic believes that it is necessary to speed up the processes related to the construction of the cement factory, and assessed that the opportunity for the business that was brought by the intensive construction in Montenegro was missed.

Text by Vijesti online, on November 13th, 2018, read more at Vijesti

November 14, 2018 - At the elementary school "Drago Milovic" in Tivat the first entrepreneurial classroom was opened.

Director of Elementary School "Drago Milovic", Ruzica Lazarevic, said that children had already made a number of interesting subjects on the tools and machines which the classroom is equipped with.

The entrepreneurial classroom was equipped with donations of a total of 1,750 euros provided by the Secretariat for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship of the Municipality of Tivat and the company "Fidelity Consulting".

The idea of the classroom was created during the visit of the elementary school "Drago Milovic" to the International Fair of Young Entrepreneurs in Berlin last year in February.

PHOTO: Siniša Luković

"We wanted to have a special room for work in our school, which would be equipped with all the resources needed for a small company that we created. The company is called "Jež" and this year it has about 30 members. The idea was presented to the Secretariat for Entrepreneurship which supported our efforts and financially helped to equip the classroom," Lazarevic said.

The "Jež" classroom is equipped with tools for processing metal and wood with shelves, tables, stove, sewing machine, and clay stoves.

The equipment was also partially donated by the management of elementary school "Drago Milovic", as well as janitors and teacher of fine arts education, Hana Mirkov. The water supply company JP "Vodovod" Tivat provided the drainage system.

This well-equipped space will enable teachers and children from the 1st to the 9th grade and realize creative ideas.

PHOTO: Siniša Luković

"It is also planned, with the help of the Parent's Council, to create prices for products from the existing bazaars and to continue selling them in an entrepreneurial classroom, with books that would be led by children with the issuing of bills, all in the interest of a better understanding of entrepreneurial learning. Children are extremely enthusiastic and creative, and primary education plays a major role in their direction and development of entrepreneurial ideas even at this youngest age. Entrepreneurship is high on the agenda of all EU member states and countries that want to join the Union, and the Europe 2020 Development Strategy is insisting that school curricula increasingly focuses on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship development in children. Entrepreneurship is a dynamic process that requires visions, creations and changes, requires energy and passion, and this classroom is the right place for our children to experience and express themselves," Petar Vujovic, the secretary for economic development and entrepreneurship said. Teachers and professors, with their creative teams of up to 15 pupils at the same time, will use this space.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on November 13th 2018, read more at Vijesti

13 November 2018 - In the next ten years, the Regional Water Supply System for the Montenegrin coastline will widen its field of operation. The innovation will reflect in several appealing projects such as the export of water, a water bottling factory and construction of the tourism settlement at Karuč.

“Ever since the Regional Water Supply system was commissioned in 2010, all the requirements necessary for the sustainable functioning of the system in this region have not been fulfilled. There’s a great number of challenges that must be overcome. The fact that there are settlements where the water supply network has not been built yet is proof enough,” reads the document about the realization of the annual plan and financial results for 2017.

The majority of challenges refers to the provision of long-term, the sustainable functioning of the local water supply enterprises.

In the forthcoming period, the key part of the activities will refer to the reform of the entire water supply system at the seaside and at the national level.

“As the draft Reform plan indicates, the water supply system is practically unsustainable, and its comprehensive reform is of crucial importance. In addition, it is very important that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank be directly involved in the implementation since the policy of these institutions is monitoring the projects they financed. Besides, they have all the necessary resources and complex expertise,” said the representatives of the Regional Water Supply system.

It is certain now that a unique enterprise, in charge of water supply and wastewater disposal will be formed for the region of Montenegrin coastline. Expected results surely are the business optimization, increasing the level of the quality of services and improvement of financial parameters. Regional water supply system is planning to start off implementation of the project whose estimated investment value amounts to 22 million EUR.

Another potential source of income will be the export of water by ships. The possibility of the construction of the water bottling factory is waiting for the adoption of several planning and strategic documents, starting from the final version of the feasibility study. If everything goes according to the plan, the factory is supposed to be located within the national park Skadar lake, outside the sanitary protection zone. This factory would also produce other types of drinks, such as iced teas and energy drinks.

Finally, Karuč, the former source of water supply will have a totally new function. It will become a tourism settlement.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro/Dnevne Novine

13 November 2018 - The Government of Montenegro has undertaken numerous measures of systemic control of river flows throughout the country, as well as activities aimed at preventing further devastation of river beds due to natural meandering and illegal exploitation of sand and gravel, and in the cases of illegal activities on watercourses, especially in the lower part of Morača and Bolje Sestre zone, said Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović.

When asked whether the Tara River is endangered by the construction of the priority section of the Bar-Boljare motorway, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that regulatory works are being carried on other positions as well, not only in the construction area. All these regulatory works are carried out with a view to regulating the river, saving the property of the citizens, and that this is a regular process and something that will be done in the future. The construction of such major infrastructure projects leaves certain scares on nature, but there are remedial projects implying temporary measures, and after that everything that belongs to natures will be brought back to it, he pointed out.

13 November 2018 - The concert of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra will be held on Thursday, November 15, at the Great Hall of the Culture Centre Tivat, starting at 8 PM, as part of the "November Days of Tivat 2018" event.

The Orchestra, which will be conducted by maestro Grigorij Krasko, and will perform “L'Arlesienne Suite” by Georges Bizet, "Waltz" and "Pas de deux" by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "Romanian Rhapsody" by George Enescu, "Adagio" and "Sabre Dance" by Aram Ilyich Khachaturian.

The entrance is free.

The Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra, as an institution of special social importance formed within the broadly established activity of the Music Centre of Montenegro, came to life in the year when Montenegro gained independence. Today, this ensemble, with all the important prerequisites, primarily in the aspects of material security and character of the internal organization, is basically similar to numerous professional institutions of this type in the world. The Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra has reached the level of a representative body of Montenegrin culture that puts Podgorica and Montenegro in the “rank” of numerous more developed cultural environments.

The first conductor of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra was young Russian artist Alexey Shatsky, who came to Montenegro from the position of one of the assistants of the legendary Vladimir Fedoseyev. During the first five seasons, along with numerous guest conductors, he laid the foundations on which Montenegrin young ensemble is developing today. The current head of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra is Grigory Krasko, an artist with a strong individuality and a huge experience, who has already made a remarkable contribution to the initial accomplishments and successes of Montenegrin ensemble as a concert-master and leader of the Montenegrin Strings Ensemble. The first performances of the MSO under his administration show the successful efforts of the orchestra to new performance challenges and professional standards.

Linking all who regard music as a necessity of everyday life has been and remains one of the strategic goals of the MSO. The Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra has gained a wide circle of friends and associates, among which the RTV of Montenegro, the Montenegrin National Theatre and Erste Bank, which has been the General Sponsor of the MSO for several years, are certainly distinguished.

13 November 2018 - On November 13, 2018, the President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, Vlastimir Golubović, was presented with the Danube Charter for the contribution of connecting people, ideas and markets of the Danube region.

This award was presented at the 7th Danube Business Forum in Novi Sad, Serbia, which brought together high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Economic Development of Slovenia, Zdravko Počivalšek, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the regional chambers of the Region, the national coordinators of the Danube Strategy in the governments of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and numerous other participants in the field of politics, economics, diplomacy, culture and the media.

The Danube Business Forum is dedicated to the Danube Strategy in the role of business in achieving its goals, strengthening prosperity and more efficient use of potential.

The topic of the plenary session of the Forum was "The Danube Strategy, Positive Experiences and Expectations", while the panels discussed smart cities, media in the aspects of objectivity, creative criticism and sensationalism, the regions as bridges of integrative processes, business and prosperity, the importance of science for the development of agriculture, agro-industry and concepts of smart villages, medicine and pharmacy, and transport and logistics as a great opportunity for Serbia.

President Golubović said that the Danube Charter is a great honour, especially since its work on developing regional cooperation has been recognized and awarded in the year of the jubilee when the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro celebrates nine decades of work.

Golubović emphasizes that the Danube Forum should send a message that the implementation of the Danube Strategy and the achievement of its objectives is not possible if the business community does not become involved actively in its implementation. This applies in particular to countries that are in its border zone and which, like Montenegro, do not coordinate any priority areas. “Therefore, it is my opinion that the chambers of the member states should establish a working body to discuss common issues and create an institutional network for the preparation, application, and implementation of joint projects financed through the Interreg - Danube Transnational Program," the President said.

The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro is currently implementing two cooperation projects from this program, while the priorities of the Danube Strategy are the following: "improving the mobility and multimodality of road, rail and air traffic", "support for sustainable energy development", "support to improving the competitiveness of enterprises, including the development of clusters" and "the development of society through research, education and information technology". 

“We need to give special importance to projects in the field of digitization, which is the main driver of change and progress. Reduction in operating costs, free and unlimited access to the global market, and digital innovation are the advantages that the digitalization of markets brings to small economies, ”concluded the President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro.

PORTODIMARE Conference in Synergy with Blue Growth and Environmental Quality Meetings in Budva

November 13, 2018 - Organized by the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, a press conference was held on Tuesday at Hotel Center Ville in Podgorica, where the New Year 2019 program in Montenegro was presented.

Representatives of local tourist organizations from Budva, Bar, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor and Podgorica presented multi-day entertainment programs and announced concerts by renowned performers from the region who will be organized at city squares during the New Year's holidays. Traditionally, a rich New Year program has been prepared by numerous hotels throughout Montenegro. Representatives of hotel groups Budva Riviera and Montenegro Stars, the strategic partners of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, spoke at the press conference on New Year's arrangements and prices. Thanks to spectacular outdoor receptions with attractive performers, and cheerful atmosphere on the streets, hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments, Montenegro has positioned itself as the destination of the best holiday in the region. This year expects a very high quality, diverse and dynamic New Year program, justifying this image and attracting tens of thousands of guests to spend the holidays in Montenegro, according to the National Tourist Organization of Montenegro.

New Year 2019 Program in Kotor

The New Year's Eve in Kotor includes a Kotor evening, when the guests, after the program for the youngest- Children-New Year's Eve, will be entertained by the Kotor performers and their guests. For the New Year's Eve and the first night in 2019, Kotor returns to its true, rock image and within the Rock New Year program, bringing the most significant bands of the ex-yu rock scene of today. On 31 December, Damir Urban, Darko Rundek, Bombaj Press and M.O.R.T. will perform, while the 1st of January starts with the performance of Four Blues Driver, followed by Galija, Psihomodo pop, Autogeni trening.

Within the "From Christmas to Christmas" event, which runs from 23 December to 09 January, Kotor’s citizens and guests will be able to enjoy the Concert of City Music, New Year's Bazaar, Concerts of Classical Music, Concert of Klapa Music, Concerts of Spiritual Music, Humanitarian fun evening, Children New Year.

New Year 2019 Program in Herceg Novi

Citizens of Herceg Novi and the guests of the city under the Orjen Mountain will also be able to welcome this New Year in the open. Organized by the Tourism Organization of Herceg Novi and the Municipality of Herceg Novi, a multi-day music program with a wealth of accompanying content is being prepared, with a magnificent welcome to 2019 on the platform in front of Hotel Igalo. The program will be adapted to different musical tastes, so the New Year's Eve will mark the hits of Riblja Čorba, Jelena Rozga, Sergej Ćetković, and the performances by Ljuba Stanković and other performers.

Herceg Novi enters into 2019 with the most successful hits of the Belgrade group "Riblja čorba" and their frontman Bora Đorđević. They will be playing in Igalo on 31 December from 11 pm and the opening band will be the Bokelian band "Light under the black mountain", from 21h.

The night before, on December 30th, the best atmosphere will be Split's pop singer Jelena Rozga and winner of Pink stars Ljuba Stankovic and during the day, or more precisely from 12h, the "Children's New Year" will be organized with the children's play “The Enchanted Santa Claus".

Monday, 1 January, is reserved for the performance of the biggest domestic music star, Sergej Ćetković, whose performance will begin from 9 pm to introduce the band "Toć".

New Year 2019 Program in Tivat

Željko Joksimović will entertain citizens of Tivat and their guests on New Year's Eve, and Lepa Brena and Bojan Delić will perform on 1 January, while Ana Kokić and the Tivat band "Toć" will perform on 2 January. The New Year’s program on the city promenade Pine will begin on 15 December when Tivat's caterers will set up recognizable gastro cottages, and the music program will begin on 26 December. During the eight holiday days, there will be the concerts of Amadeus band, Ana Rucner, Leontina and guests, Boris Novkovic, La band Tambura night, The gents, Disko inferno, Tribute band ABBA. The rich fun-minded program will continue until January 10, 2019, with a variety of events and resident DJs.

New Year 2019 Program in Bar

The new year's happening in Bar starts on December 30 with the Children's New Year's performance "The Enchanted Santa Claus", and performances by Dino Beharević and D'Bend and Aco Pejović from 9 pm. On 31 December at noon, the New Year's Eve concert will be held by the choir ANTIVARI MUSIC with the soprano Aleksandra Vojvodić -Jovović and under the conductor Miro Kruščić. Before the concert of Sergej Ćetković, the band “Akademia” will perform at 9 pm. The first night in 2019 will be marked by the “Perper” and “Plavi Orkestar” performances. They are also planning to organize a New Year's bazaar with traditional products of the Bar region.

New Year 2019 Program in Budva

The local tourist organization Budva organizes an open-air public New Year's program on the square in front of the Old Town, which will also be the Jubilee - 20 years after the first organized public reception of the New Year in this town. The program will begin on 28 December with Most Wanted, Who See and BG Sindikat concerts from 9 pm.

The day later, Ethno group Zora, Halid Bešlić and Marija Šerifović will go through the program, and the program in front of the walls of the Old Town will begin at 9.30pm. The local DJs will perform first, and Burak Yeter and Darren Emerson will perform at 10 pm.

Citizens and guests of Budva on the craziest night will be entertained by Jack Lupino and Leftovers and “Aerodrom”, followed by the appearance of the regional star Dino Merlin. According to a long tradition, the Concert of Classical Music (Audience Orchestra + Sara Vujošević, Emilija Minić, Marijana Šovran, Lana Asija Dabović) will be organized on the 1 January. “Akademia”, “Partibrejkersi” and “Van Gogh” perform at the evening program.

The Budva Tourist Organization plans, in cooperation with the Budva Host Association, to realize the idea of a "Christmas Bazaar" this year as well, located in the city park. It will be available to citizens and visitors from 15 December to 15 January.