30 October 2019 - The Institute for physical medicine, rehabilitation and rheumatology Dr Simo Milosevic JSC Igalo, which marked its 70^th anniversary as a renowned institution for multidisciplinary spa treatment this year, was recently awarded a prestigious plaque to celebrate the institution’s high-quality offer.

Representatives of the Institute Dr Simo Milosevic Igalo recently took part in a specialized congress tourism fair (MICE) in Belgrade, WESTM2019, organized by the Novi Sad-based company Turistička prizma, which marks 25 years of existence and successful work this year.

On this occasion, an international journalist jury decided to award the prestigious prize – “Turistička prizma 2019 Award for creating a new quality in tourism” to Institute Dr Simo Milosevic Igalo, in the form of a Prizma statue and a charter.

Institute Dr Simo Milosevic JSC Igalo is an institution for physical medicine, rehabilitation and rheumatology. It is one of the largest and the most famous institutions for a multidisciplinary spa treatment on the Balkan Peninsula. The institute is a pioneer of modern physical and preventive medicine, thalassotherapy, and wellness, and it is also one of the leading international centres for rehabilitation of children, adults and seniors.

Besides the preventive medicine program and health rehabilitation, Institute Igalo offers wellness and recreational programs, which basically rely on the modern medical principals. These programs are devoted to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and benefits of aromatherapies, massages and face, body and soul pampering treatments.

The distinguished Award for creating a new quality in tourism, which was recently put in the hands of the representatives of the Igalo Institute, has been awarded continuously at the WESTM since 1997.

Winter Events & Spa Travel Market (WESTM) is MICE and Spa tourism exhibition for South-East and Central Europe organised in Serbia. It is designed for hotels and other accommodation facilities, ski resorts, spas, convention centres, tourist boards, tour operators and travel agencies, manufacturers and distributors of equipment, as well as all other companies operating within MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) or spa tourism. WESTM is the first international fair in Serbia for the MICE industry.

WESTM provides its participants with two days of business meetings with the MICE industry of the region, and educational and related programs are all designed with one goal: to make this event the step forward for business improvement. The event aims to establish better cooperation between the tourism industries of Southeast and Central Europe (SEE) and other European countries, as well as with companies outside of Europe who are interested in the regions. The educational program “ Travel2IT ”, which is open to all participants, aims to provide new practical knowledge and insight into emerging trends related to the winter, wellness & spa and congress tourism, and ICT.

29 October 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković opened a new 2 million EUR division of the Kurti furniture factory in Ulcinj, which will create 30 new jobs and said that this kind of project will always enjoy his support and the support of the Government.

"This is a great opportunity and a great moment not only for the municipality of Ulcinj, but for the entire country and for every entrepreneur who works in the interest of their family, their city and the State of Montenegro," the Prime Minister stressed at the opening ceremony, adding that this factory division testifies to the fact that the synergy of local government and the State can lead to yielding such results.

“There are many capable and hardworking people in Montenegro who can create new value in our country, not to always seek support and help from outside. The Kurti family has shown that their ability, their strength, their potential, their hard work can create new added value for Ulcinj and Montenegro as a whole,” Prime Minister Duško Marković noted.

Addressing the owner of the factory Kabili Kurti, the Prime Minister said that the Government will always support this kind of project.

"What you have done is not just a business venture, it is a message to all those who need to create new value in Montenegro, that they will continue to enjoy my personal and the Government's support," Prime Minister Duško Marković underlined.

Speaking to the broader business community, PM Marković said that Montenegro has been performing exceptionally well in recent years.

“This is not only an achievement of the Government but of all stakeholders: employers, entrepreneurs, companies, business associations and, of course, investors. That is why we are experiencing a growth rate among the highest in Europe. In 2017 and 2018, we experienced an average growth rate of 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively, which is the third growth rate in Europe. Nothing happens in Montenegro by accident. This is the result of a thoughtful policy and a commitment. Therefore, the Government has no doubt about whether it must stand by the people who create. Today, I am feeling like I am in my natural environment, where new value is being created, with a man who will create 30 new jobs by opening this factory division, thus enabling young people not only to work and earn money, but to start and raise their families and stay in Montenegro as well. We are sending a message to our compatriots that we have not forgotten them, that they are in our thoughts, and that we will create conditions for them to return and build Montenegro with us, and make it better than it is today,” Prime Minister Duško Marković pointed out.

Speaking about Ulcinj, the Prime Minister said that the policy of his Government is to bring back to Ulcinj its old splendor and all those opportunities that existed when tourism was blossoming in this municipality. In that regard, he referred to numerous investments in this municipality, adding that he understands the issue facing the local government and that they will have the support of the Government.

"The Government stands by you in your bid to overcome the problems for the benefit of Ulcinj and the citizens of Ulcinj, for the benefit of Montenegro and its development," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded.

29 October 2019 - At the seventh session of the Council for Cooperation between State Administration Bodies and NGOs, chaired by Minister of Public Administration Suzana Pribilović the officials discussed the Draft Law on Volunteering.

This law regulates incentive measures for promoting and developing volunteering, the rights and duties of volunteers and organisers of volunteering, and other issues of importance for the development and promotion of volunteering.

The Council embraced the Draft Law on Volunteering and suggested to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to re-examine Articles 1, 5 and 10 of the Draft Law to create an adequate legal basis for the further development of volunteering and creating incentive measures for volunteer organizes and volunteers. Volunteering was praised as a voluntary and free investment of time, knowledge and skills to carry out activities for the benefit of others and for the general welfare of the community, as well as the intention to prevent abuse of volunteers.

The Council recommended that, upon the adoption of legislation in the Assembly, the creation of an Incentive Measures Program should be initiated, reports the Ministry of Public Administration.

The drafting of the Law on Volunteering is one of the measures set out in the Action Plan of the Strategy for improving the incentive environment for the work of NGOs.

The implementation of the Law on Non-Governmental Organisations and associated by-laws were also discussed at today's session, and it was agreed that the next session of the Council will be thematic and dedicated to the analysis of the provisions of these acts, the implementation of which proved challenging in practice, but also of all aspects that influence the analysis of the effects of the implementation of the new model of financing NGO projects in accordance with the aforementioned Law.

Concerning the timing of the publication of decisions on allocation based on public competitions announced in 2019, it was once again pointed out that it was not at a satisfactory level, and that the Council's recommendation that the relevant decisions be taken within a reasonable timeframe should be repeated.

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

 “Jovan Cenic (8) from Kotor, suffering from cerebral palsy, needs our help and support for his first step on his own. Besides all the problems, this boy is a cheerful, satisfied and grateful child who enjoys company, playing, and jokes. With great persistence, Jovan slowly began to walk holding onto others. In order to improve his condition, it is necessary for him to continue his treatment abroad," stated the Foundation Be Humane.

“Let's show our heart to Jovan and donate to his first steps. Enter 10 and send an SMS to 14543," added the Foundation.

We can also help Jovan by making payments to:

Giro account: 520-34529-84

Swift: HBBAMEPGXXX

Foreign currency account: 520042000000858462

Iban number: ME25520042000000858462

Text by Boka News, on October 29th, 2019, read more at Boka News

The fan in the Vrmac tunnel fell on the roadway after it was hooked by a backhoe truck carrying a dredge, Dusan Kokic from the Transport Directorate told on TVCG Morning Program.

We remind that a fan fell on the road in the tunnel Vrmac a week ago, and luckily it ended without serious consequences.

"The fall of the fan happened at about 11 pm on Sunday, as a lorry with a trailer carrying an excavator was passing through the tunnel. The problem is that the vehicle was 4.6 meters high, which is oversized and needed a permit to pass, not only through tunnels, but in general on the Montenegrin road network,” said Kokic.

He said that the vehicle had passed the ramp up to 4.5 meters in height in front of the tunnel because it is the maximum limit for the passage of vehicles.

"But the control ramp is not continuous, and it has holes that can be passed through. This vehicle passed and after hitting the fan, the vehicle stopped after about 150 meters. An inspection was carried out. In the meantime, as this was being inspected, a bus passed by, which further hit a blown fan and then it fell onto the lane," Kokic points out.

He claims that the incident was due to improper traffic of a truck carrying an excavator.

Tunnel Vrmac – fan on the road, photo - Podgorica Vremeplov

"The driver committed a misdemeanor because he did not seek the necessary license. The damage was done because the fan is not usable, and its price is 12 to 15 thousand euros," Kokic said, stating that further treatment of the driver is the responsibility of the prosecution.

He explained that the technical control of the tunnels in Montenegro was entrusted to the company Strabag, i.e., Crnagoraput.

“A new tender was announced, and the same company got a job for the next four-year period. Their obligations are, in particular, for Vrmac and other tunnel networks to inspect, clean lighting, electrical cabinets, substations, evacuation corridors, proper ventilation, check carbon monoxide sensors, check fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers,” he said.

Text by Boka News, on October 29th, 2019, read more at Boka News

The Association “Kamelija” (1919-2019) and the Local Community of Stoliv are organizing the traditional 2019 Kostanjada event in Stoliv on November 3 (Sunday) at 11 am in front of the Cultural Center.

The program will include a cultural and entertainment program, a tasting of chestnut products and healthy food with a wine table, an exhibition of children's artwork from elementary schools, a sports program on the terrains of "Pod kostanje".

Kostanjada 2018

Hiking tours to Gornji Stoliv and hill Vrmac (8 am and 1 pm)

Expert tour of the chestnut plantation in Stoliv and condition assessment (3 pm)

Kostanjada 2016.

With your participation, you contribute to preserving our traditional values, the organizers say. The event is sponsored by the Tourism Organization Kotor.

More information on: 069 644 506 and 069 046 524

Text by Boka News, on October 28th, 2019, read more at Boka News

28 October 2019 - Minister of Culture of Montenegro Aleksandar Bogdanović recently met earlier with Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Republic Abulfas Garayev in Baku.

The meeting discussed possibilities of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture, since the bilateral relations between Montenegro and Azerbaijan are friendly and content.

In this regard, the two officials expressed their satisfaction with the fact that the cooperation between cultural institutions are intensified. This, as it was highlighted, primarily refers to the joint work of the National Library of Montenegro "Đurđe Crnojević" and Azerbaijan National Library within the Conference of European National Librarians and Montenegro’s Cinematography and the Azerbaijan Davlat Film Fund.

Both sides particularly emphasised the significance of the work of the Cultural and Economic Centre of Azerbaijan in Podgorica, stressing that there is a mutual interest in organising diverse programs in the field of culture in the future.

Minister Bogdanović stated that so far, cooperation is a good basis for the coming period and invited Minister Garayev to visit Montenegro and on that occasion, as he added, to sign the Programme on Cooperation between Ministries of Culture of the two countries.

Minister Garayev highlighted that he supports the mentioned initiative, proposing that during his visit to Montenegro, a programme of joint activities in the field of culture should be conceptualised in detail. Furthermore, he emphasised that he was pleased that Azerbaijan artists were increasingly represented in Montenegro and expressed the expectation that Montenegro’s artists would be as present as possible on the Azerbaijani cultural scene.

Minister Bogdanović also discussed cooperation in the field of affirmation of the cultural heritage of the two countries. He pointed to the listing of the Azerbaijani rug on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage could be a useful experience for Montenegro, mainly since there is an initiative to apply for the development of Bihor rug on the list above, reports Ministry of Culture of Montenegro.

In this context, Minister Garayev stated that a presentation of Bihor rug could be organised at the Baku Museum of Carpeting, with the Azerbaijani entities fully ready to transfer experience regarding the application process of their rugs to the UNESCO list.

"During the discussion, we concluded that there is an exceptional space for strengthening cultural cooperation. It is of particular significance that the first steps in this field have already been made, but I believe that a period of intensive activities is yet to come. On this path, I suggested Minister Garayev sign the Cooperation Programme of our Ministries of Culture during his visit to Montenegro. Thus we formally start broad cooperation, starting with some common trades belonging to the intangible heritage of both countries, to film, literature and other fields," Minister Bogdanović noted.

Charge d' Affairs of Montenegro to Azerbaijan Željko Radulović also attended the meeting.

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

28 October 2019 - Programs for children, young people and parents, that are successfully implemented in Montenegro, could be a model of good practice for countries in Europe and Central Asia, said deputy regional director of UNICEF for Europe and Central Asia Philip Corey, who is on a visit to Montenegro.

"I think you have a development model that can be helpful for many countries, not only in the Western Balkans, but also in the EU. I think there’s a lot you can teach EU countries," said deputy regional director of UNICEF Corey.

He visited the "Sunce" kindergarten in Nikšić and spoke to children and parents – members of the Roma community, about the importance of preschool education and support for children and parents belonging to the Roma community.

"It all starts in kindergarten. If you are successful in establishing inclusion in the context of preschool education and teaching, later, in elementary school and secondary school, you will have a higher degree of engagement and social cohesion," said Corey.

He also visited "Mileva Lajović-Lalatović" elementary school in Nikšić and said that the task of the entire community was to establish a good foundation for inclusion, writes Cafe del Montenegro.

"Children must be provided room to express themselves, to enjoy teaching plans and programs. Such plans and programs must include children who are faced with more serious challenges, they must not be neglected," Philip Corey pointed out in front of UNICEF.

He also met with parents who attended the "Parenthood for lifelong health" program, which is implemented in several Montenegrin municipalities.

Back in January 2019, UNICEF took the great initiative in improving the quality of media programs for children and youth. On this occasion, Jan-Willem Bult, director of the Center for Children, Youth and Media in the Netherlands, stated that these factors in one country directly shows the quality of life of that country.

"During my daily work with children, both with preschoolers and with the youth, I learned a lot about them. We mutually influence each other. I think the attitude of adults who create programs for children and young people should be the following: I learn from you, as you learn from me. With this attitude, you will grow together, and this is the only way to create a quality program for children," said Bult on this occasion.

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

28 October 2019 - A consortium of the German WPD AG company and Vjetroelektrana from Budva is the only bidder for the construction of Brajići wind farm, offering 100 million EUR.

As Cafe del Montenegro reported, five companies have purchased tender documentation in the public tender invited for the lease state-owned land. Only one bid was submitted within the established deadline.

The bid encompasses the construction of a wind warm with a capacity of 100,8 MW, a 100 million EUR investment. The lease of the land will be 2,50 EUR per square meter for a total of 220.770 square meters of land.

WPD AG, a renowned German company, is experienced in the implementation of similar projects in many world countries, with a 4.400 MW portfolio of installed capacity.

The bid also envisages the participation of national companies for 21,6 million EUR, which will further enhance the multiple effects of the project.

Research and measurements of wind potential in Brajići were carried on the grounds of licenses issued by the competent Ministry, between May 2013 and May 2015 and between November 2016 and November 2017.

German WPD expressed its interest in the construction of the Brajići wind farm at the beginning of this year. Andreas Scholl, WPD Director for Europe, met in February with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Duško Marković and said that they wanted such investment in Montenegro.

Similarly, the wind farm Gvozd project was recently estimated at 58 million EUR, rated at 55 megawatts and, according to the estimates, it will have 13 turbines. Shareholders in the state energy company supported the decision on the construction of the Gvozd wind farm. Executive manager of the Directorate for Development and Engineering in the Electric Power Company of Montenegro Ivan Mrvaljević said that development of the Study on the potential of wind and energy production assessment, and the Study on the market and business model of Gvozd wind farm had been carried out before the investment decision.

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