PM Marković opens Franca meat production and processing factory in Bijelo Polje: Government makes additional efforts in development of Northern Region of Montenegro

VIDEO: PM Marković opens Franca meat production and processing factory in Bijelo Polje

Prime Minister Duško Marković opened Franca meat production and processing factory in Bijelo Polje, which will employ 70 workers in the first phase of its work.

This investment is significant for more balanced regional development, particularly through the contribution to development in priority areas: tourism, agriculture and food industry, as a key to diversifying and expanding the production base of our economy, especially in the north. The investment by Franca will affect the increase in production on individual farms, and thus the expansion of the product range of this company – the Prime Minister said, adding that apart from the impact on local agriculture, the factory will also provide new development opportunities in tourism and trade, as related branches, which will affect economic growth.

In order to ensure further economic growth and thus improve the quality of life of our citizens, the Government is continuously working to improve the environment for the development of business and economy, which will give everyone a chance for business success. In that sense, we are particularly focused on Montenegrin companies and entrepreneurs – the Prime Minister said, adding that the Government will continue to support companies and this company and all Montenegrin businessmen in terms of strengthening their production, processing and export capacities, as well as all business initiatives.

PM Marković said that in the first six months Montenegro recorded a strong economic growth, reaching 5.1% in the second quarter of 2017, and 4.2% in the first half of the year. "It is one of the highest growth rates in Europe," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about the development of the Northern Region, the Prime Minister said that such projects in the North have a special value.

For that reason, we will make additional efforts to make this region more livable and less challenging. That is why the Government has increased investments in the North, and this is particularly related to the transport infrastructure, with the capital project for the construction of the Bar-Boljare motorway, as well as through the construction of regional and local roads. Over 70% of the state capital budget is allocated for the North. Significant investments in the field of education – through better accessibility and quality of educational institutions; improvement of health care, development of culture and sports, which implies the construction of important infrastructure facilities in these areas – PM Marković said.

The new factory's capacity is 1,300 tons of finished products. About EUR seven million were invested in the factory in the first phase. The new production plant is 4 000 m². The plan is to place products on the Montenegrin and foreign markets in the countries of the European Union.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović, Minister of Finance Darko Radunović and President of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje Aleksandar Žurić also attended the opening of the factory.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO