The Ministry of Interior has launched a tender procedure for the procurement of video surveillance systems in cities. According to a previous announcement from the Interior Ministry, Podgorica, Nikšić, Bar, Budva, Kotor and Herceg Novi are soon to be monitored by cameras, with the installation video surveillance equipment to be completed by 2021.

The decision on the winning bid will be made 90 days from the public opening of the offer.

The technical specifications of the tender are classified, and therefore the exact number of cameras to be installed remains unknown. Companies interested in the contract have until the 18th of November to submit their bid, writes “Dan”.

“The successful contractor is required to sign a public procurement contract no later than 8 days from the date of the contract submission, and return the signed contract to the contracting authority together with the irrevocable, unconditional and immediately chargeable guarantee of positive completion of the contract amounting to 5 percent of the full contract value,” the tender states.

The section of the documentation that relates to technical specifications or characteristics of the subject of procurement notice contains classified information. It can only be obtained directly from the Ministry’s Public Procurement Officer.

The procurement contract includes the preparation of design documentation, delivery, installation, connection, and commissioning of the equipment at the specified locations of the contracting authority, as well as user training.

Source: Radio Jadran

From now until November 6, a public debate will be open on the Draft Concession Act to deliver the Kotor – Lovćen cable car project, organised by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.

The draft act is available on the website of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, on the e-government portal and in print media.

The public debate is organised using a round table at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and through the submission of proposals, suggestions and comments in written and electronic format.

The Ministry invites citizens, municipalities, scientific and professional institutions, relevant bodies and organisations, civil society and others to participate in the public debate.

Remarks, proposals and suggestions on the Draft Concession Act can be sent in written and electronic format to the following Ministry address -  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via the Ministry’s archive.

The round table within the public debate on the Draft Concession Act will be held on 28th October at 11 am on the premises of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism. 

Following the last session of Government, it was announced that the Plan for granting of the concession for the Kotor – Lovćen cable car project 2020 would enable the commencement of a procedure for attracting private investment into projects that are primarily in the public interest. The aim is to ensure the highest possible benefit to tourism from the extremely valuable natural resources and cultural heritage.

Source: Radio Jadran

Traders largely respected the legal norm on introducing non-working Sundays, as a total of three violators, that is, two companies and one entrepreneur, were found in the entire territory of Montenegro within 24 hours, the Inspection Directorate announced.

On Sunday, the Market Inspectorate conducted an inspection to enforce the agreed obligation under the Internal Trade Act that wholesale and retail trade cannot work on Sundays.

“In all three cases, the inspectors charged the company for a fine of EUR 1,000 and a responsible person in the company EUR 200 for the offense committed. For the two companies, the total amount of the fine was 2.4 thousand euros," the statement said.

The entrepreneur was fined 300 euros.

"In addition to the fine for the offense, the inspectors in all three cases closed the shops for the period during which the work was not allowed," the Administration said.

The supervision, they recalled, included all wholesale and retail facilities in all municipalities.

"The surveillance was organized throughout the day and began in the early hours of the night, that is, from Saturday to Sunday, from midnight and lasted 24 hours," the statement said.

All market inspectors were engaged in this supervision, who visited all the shops located on the terrain where they were in charge of.

"The work of the duty inspector was organized at the headquarters of the Market Inspectorate in Podgorica, which received phone reports and answered the citizens' questions during the day," the Administration said.

In Montenegro, October 20^th was the first non-working Sunday for employees in the trade sector.

On Sundays and public holidays, the wholesale and retail trade may be carried out in pharmacies, specialty shops or kiosks for the sale of bread, bakery products and cakes, flowers, souvenirs, press, plant protection products or funeral equipment, gas stations and retail stores within the gas stations.

Wholesale and retail trade can also be carried out at green markets, stands - counters, showcases and vending machines outside the markets and mobile shops, kiosks and vending machines located within closed areas of bus and train stations, airports and ports, stands and kiosks which sell goods during events, festivals and manifestations, fairs and during the public display of cinematographic works, as well as warehouses for the wholesale trade.

Specialty shops or kiosks are considered to be shops or kiosks where the sale of mainly one type of goods is carried out.

Text by MINA Business on October 22nd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

 “EUobserver” - an independent Brussels portal, published a text addressing current environmental problems in Montenegro, notably Durmitor, which this year was at risk of being removed from UNESCO's World Heritage List due to an investor's plan to build 30 bungalows in the protected area, due to which several dozen centuries-old trees were cut down.

EUobserver also refers to Sinjajevina, which was threatened by the decision of the Government of Montenegro, to transform the area into a military training ground, for which the Agency for Nature Protection proposed to be a park.

The text states that the intention to build 30 bungalows at Black Lake was contrary to UNESCO standards, but that protests by local activists united in the movement obstructed the plan. "You Cannot Go any Further" and wider echoes in Montenegrin society.

They also say that the survival of Sinjajevina, as a pristine area that is Europe's second-largest pasture, is endangered, thanks to which many families survive.

The fate of Sinjajevina is threatened by the announced construction of the military training ground, which is opposed by most locals. However, they state that there are active movements in Montenegro that fight for the protection of ecological values.

"Montenegrins do not lack the passion for fighting for what they love," “EUobserver” said.

The text also emphasizes that Montenegro has intensified the negotiations on EU membership, that it has opened 32 out of 33 chapters, and that it is the one that, after Croatia, could become part of the community of European states.

"One of these chapters deals with the environment. The report of the European Commission stated that "potential investments in hydro and tourism construction should be in line with nature protection." The report also mentioned EC concerns about the rule of law, democracy and media freedom in Montenegro. However, no mention was made of Durmitor or the wider anti-environmental trend that exists in Montenegro and it would be an astounding irony if Durmitor, the "Director of All Mountains," was ruined when the EU opened its doors to Montenegro," reads the text published by “EUobserver”.

It is recalled that the first anti-communist government declared Montenegro an ecological state in 1991, just in Durmitor, or Zabljak, and that today, the fate of the area remains uncertain, and all hopes are placed in local activists defending the area.

Durmitor(Foto: Luka Zeković)

One environmental activist, Aleksandar Dragicevic, who is actively involved in defending Durmitor against devastation, told “EUobserver” that "Durmitor is a masterpiece of nature and must remain part of UNESCO World Heritage."

His colleague, Aleksandar Milatovic, who is one of the leaders of the Sinajevina Protection Movement, said that people and environmental activists would not allow the plateau of Europe's second-largest pasture to be destroyed.

“EUobserver” points out that if European politicians and civil society leave people like Dragicevic and Milatovic alone on the frontline of Montenegro's defense of natural resources, membership of our country in the EU and NATO will cost Montenegrin citizens a lot. They point out that Montenegro became part of NATO in 2017, and now one of its greatest natural beauties, Sinjajevina, is threatened by a potential military training ground.

The text also states that Montenegro could become part of the EU by 2025 if all goes well, and by then, as Aleksandar Dragicevic warned, Durmitor could get industrial scars. He said that Durmitor is "Mona Lisa of nature."

Dragicevic said that in November 2018, a UNESCO mission made it clear that setting up facilities and infrastructure on Black Lake, as well as expanding ski resorts instead of replacing existing cable cars (with which UNESCO agreed), would delete NP Durmitor from the World Heritage list.

"On this occasion, one of the UNESCO mission members addressed government and local government representatives with the following words: Gentlemen, you have a Mona Lisa, other cities do not have one. You cannot put a Mona Lisa in a plastic frame. Our representatives chose Disneyland and construction instead of reconstructing the ski resort, and we pointed out mistakes and preserved this jewel of nature."

Text by Jelena Jovanovic on October 22nd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Over 1,000 students have signed a petition demanding an exception from paying the tuition fees at all faculties and all levels of study, with a request for a refund to all students who have paid tuition in this and the previous academic year, as well as to cover the cost of accommodation in the student’s dormitory and transportation.

They submitted the petition to the Student Parliament (SP) of the University of Montenegro.

"As it is certain that the petition will be signed in the coming days, it is certain that this number will be far higher, which confirms that this issue is of utmost importance to the students," added SP.

They state that they expect the Ministry of Education to consider the student's requests.

"We are of the opinion that there are justifiable reasons, which are stated in the petition, for which concrete measures should be taken and the official position of the line ministry should be sought," they concluded.

Text by Vijesti online on October 22nd, 2019, read more at Vijesti

22 October 2019 - In the winter season 2020/2021, Montenegrin ski resorts Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450 will offer 45 kilometres of ski slopes to all locals and tourists who enjoy spending their holidays in the snow.

Last year's winter season in Montenegro saw a 33.37 per cent increase in the number of tourists and 15.83 per cent increase in the number of overnight stays in comparison to 2017, reports Investitor Portal. It is expected that this year's winter tourist season in Montenegro will produce even better results.

At the session of the Board of the Association of Tourism and Catering of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro held at the Kolašin 1600 Ski centre, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro announced the intensification of promotion of Montenegro in the regional and European broadcast markets, especially those with which Montenegro has good airline connections.

Miloš Popović, director of Ski Resorts of Montenegro, said that 140 million EUR would be invested in ski tourism infrastructure by 2022. The construction of the Kolašin 1600 Ski resort, as well as resorts Žarski, Cmiljača, Štedim and Hajla is already planned, as well as additional valorisation of the Durmitor Ski resort.

“In the 2020/2021 winter season, Montenegrin ski resorts Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450 will offer 45 kilometres of ski slopes,” highlighted Popović on this occasion.

As TMN reported earlier, Kolašin was recently listed by The Guardian as one of the top ten small ski resorts in Europe.

This winter, the Kolašin 1600 Ski resort will offer eight kilometres of trails and a ski school, a restaurant, and an amusement park will be in operation. "With the impetus that the highway should provide, this area will be a new pearl of Montenegrin tourism," said the director of Ski Resorts of Montenegro.

The winter season at the Kolašin and Žabljak ski resorts will start on December 14th. The offer will be enhanced with six concerts by regional music stars.

Depending on the weather, the season will last until April 1 or 15.

"It is very important to ensure traffic accessibility. Roads to the ski slopes must be passable every day from eight in the morning, ”said Popović.

He suggested that the construction of an ice rink should enrich Kolašin's tourist offer. In order to provide the necessary staff, he believes that it is necessary to establish the “gripman course” at the Secondary School of Education in Mojkovac and a course for specialists in industrial mechanical engineering at the Engineering Faculty in Podgorica. Popović also demanded that the VAT on cableways be reduced to seven per cent, as they are part of public transport.

22 October 2019 - Producers of ‘Montenegrin Prosciutto’ from Cetinje – eight companies comprising the cluster – took part in the 13^th International Prosciutto Fair in Istria, which was held last week in Tinjan.

Producers of prosciutto represented Montenegro at the Fair and were backed by the Montenegrin Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

"During the three-day International Prosciutto Fair in Istria under the slogan ‘Come and find your favorite slice of prosciutto’, attended by over 25.000 visitors, more than 15 tons of this exquisite delicacy from different parts of the region and Europe was served. The ‘Montenegrin prosciutto’, which got the protection of geographical indication of a product last year, got noticed by a large number of visitors," the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated, writes Cafe del Montenegro.

Eight members of the cluster called ‘Montenegrin prosciutto’ attended the Fair, including Martex, Zrnožit, Interproduct, MiAnja, Monstate, Gornič, DDR commerce, and Nani Prom, along with the representatives of the Cetinje Tourism Organization and the Old Royal Capital Cetinje.

As part of the Fair, a ceremony was organized awarding certificates for the successfully completed course and exam for sensory prosciutto analyst and three Cetinje residents were awarded: Petar Muhadinović, Boris Vujović, and Ilija Ševaljević.

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

22 October 2019 - The Gvozd wind farm will be of even better quality than Krnovo, due to its great energy potential as the wind speed reaches 17 meters per second in that area. This wind farm will produce electricity enough to meet the needs of 25.000 households, said Krešimir Čondić, CEO of Austria’s IVICOM Holding GmbH.

Renewable energy resources, as strategic commitment of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro and the Gvozd wind farm project, were considered today in the meeting of the Committee on Energy and Mining.

Only one part of the wind potential of the Krnovo plateau has been used in the construction of the Krnovo wind farm.

Gvozd wind farm is expected to have 54,6 MW and to produce approximately 150 kWh of electricity.

The beginning of the construction is the spring of 2021. Works are expected to take 18 months and the wind farm is expected to become fully operational in autumn of 2022. This investment is worth around 60 million EUR, reports Cafe del Montenegro.

Individual wind generators will have 4230/4430 KW of nominal power.

The future wind farm will require the construction of infrastructure, reconstruction of the existing roads and construction of new ones, with the aim of connecting certain wind aggregates.

"Gvozd will be of great quality, even higher than Krnovo," said Čondić.

Director of the sector of Electricity transmission Jagoš Pupović said that they were considering variants for the optimal solution for connecting Krnovo to the energy system.

Head of development and engineering at Electric Power Company of Montenegro Ivan Mrvaljević acquainted members of the Committee with the renewable energy resources to be valued through some modernization projects and ecological reconstructions. He added that the modernization of hydropower plants represented a very important project. Reconstruction of the oldest plant "Perućica" will increase its installed power by 58,5 MW.

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

22 October 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović and his wife Lidija were guests at the enthronement ceremony Kyoen-no-gi which was hosted by Emperor Naruhito with Empress Masako for the highest officials at the Palace Reception.

The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović also attended the ceremony of the enthronement of His Imperial Majesty Naruhito at the Seiden State Hall later, reported the Office of the President of Montenegro.

President Đukanović will be a guest at the Palace Reception after the Kyoen-no-gi ceremony, which is organized by Emperor Naruhito with Empress Masako for the highest officials.

The President will also attend a dinner with more than 170 delegations, led by Crowned Persons, numerous Heads of State and Government, United Nations and European Union representatives.

On the second day of his visit, President Đukanović will have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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