DPM Simović presents results of IPARD support at working breakfast with journalists: New development step forward in agriculture

The results of the public call for processing support through the large IPARD program are encouraging and show that a major new development progress has been made in agriculture, which is in the processing of the sector. "At the public call for processing support, 45 requests for planned investments amounting to about 28 million euros were received, along with expected irreversible support of 14 million euros," the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović, who is with the Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Ambassador Aivo Orav, held a working breakfast with media representatives on that occasion.

"I will remind that on 10 November, last year we were together in Danilovgrad with a valuable host and shared a good news for our agricultural sector. We have announced that Montenegro has successfully completed a very demanding accreditation process for the large IPARD program, that our institutions have been given the authority to manage  EUR 39 million of European funds and  EUR12 million of funds from the national budget.

At the public call for processing support, Ministry received 45 requests for planned investments in the amount of about EUR 28 million, with expected grant support of EUR 14 million.

Minister Simović recalled that in the middle of June, Ministry received 389 applications for the first public invitation to support primary production. In two public calls, 434 applications for primary production and processing have arrived,  planned potential investments of around EUR 55 million and expected non-refundable support of around EUR 27 million.

The second public call was open from May 16 to July 16 and a total of 45 requests were received. The largest number of requests was from the wine sector (15), meat processing sector (14), processing of fruits and vegetables (8), dairy sector (7), and one application from the fisheries sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture pays special attention to communication with the public in order to get to know potential users with numerous support programs.

DPM Simović adressed the journalists pointing out: "In this direction,we are  trying to build an open and partnership relationship with the media, and on this occasion, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to informing our producers and entrepreneurs, as well as all citizens, in a timely and objective manner about the activities in the agricultural sector. In the field, along with you, we presented numerous public calls, as well as the results achieved.

Together we presented the steps that we have achieved with our European partners and together contributed to the visibility of this significant non-returnable support to agriculture from European funds.

Together we visited and represented numerous infrastructure projects throughout Montenegro, together we promoted the project of young farmers, and accompanied them on a trip to Slovenia and Austria, and some of you traveled with them and shared their experiences with the public.

Together we marked the realisation and start of work of numerous new plants and numerous other activities in the direction of raising the competitiveness of our agricultural sector, improving the quality of life in the countryside and creating new jobs.

On this occasion, I would like to thank you for your support and partnership in informing your citizens." – DPM Simović concluded.