DPM Simović and investor from BMJ Industries visit construction site of New Tobacco Plant

Podgorica, Montenegro (12 April 2017) – The New Tobacco Plant with the latest production equipment will be completed in the next two months, followed by a process of trial production, it was announced earlier today by the investor and owner of the UAE-based company BMJ Industries FZ LLC Ahmed Bkairat.

In the previous days Bkairat had meetings with representatives of the state administration, tobacco growers, employees and the contractors. Following today's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović, as well as with President of the Tender Commission Branko Vujović, they visited a construction site of the new plant.

The investor has reaffirmed the full commitment to continuing the project of the New Tobacco Plant.

"We are here because we are serious business people and because we believe Montenegro and the people we work with. We do not want to withdraw from this project," the investor said.

According to him, the New Tobacco Plant will initially employ 55 workers, as provided by the contract, and by the end of 2017, depending on the production dynamics, it is estimated that it will employ up to 100 workers, and in the coming years even more workers.

The Investor also introduced Gabriele Arveda from Italy, who will be the CEO of the New Tobacco Plant.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović expressed satisfaction with the investor's decision to continue the project.

"This is an important fact for the tobacco industry of Montenegro in terms of cigarettes production, balancing trade deficit, expected state revenue from production and transport, as well as in terms of employment. For me, as Minister of Agriculture, creating prospects of primary production of tobacco in Montenegro is very important," DPM Simović said.

DPM Simović finds encouraging the fact that the construction works are being intensified. He positively assessed the outcome of talks between the investor and others involved in the project.

"I think that we should all together contribute to the creation of an environment where investors are welcomed, and those who respect the agreements, respect the laws of this country and foster a good relationship with the workers," DPM Simović emphasised.

President of the Tender Commission Branko Vujović said that the supervisory commission, which was formed in accordance with the agreement on capital increase, will fulfill its commitments after the relocation of the plant and establishing ownership structure. Vujović also expressed satisfaction with the investor's readiness to finish the project as soon as possible.

PR Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development