Nurkovic at the Global Airport Development Conference in Hamburg led a panel on the airport concession in Montenegro

The Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Osman Nurković participates in the Global Airport Development Conference in Hamburg, which brings together more than 50 leading airport, investor, finance, airline and over 500 air traffic controllers and experts. The Global Conference is an opportunity to exchange experiences, networking and creating ideas that will enhance the overall aviation industry. The theme of this year's GAD World 2018 is industry, finance, investment, aerodrome management and strategy, privatization and private public partnership.

On the first day of the conference, a panel was held with key stakeholders in the development of airline industry, starting from airport operators, airlines, financiers, market regulators and investors. The focus has been on the process of privatization of the airport and the state of the aerospace industry over the last 25 years, and there were also words about optimization trends as well as concession and investment models for airport management.

The EasyJet representative, one of the leading European low-cost airline companies, spoke about market liberalization, the importance of using digital technologies, the sustainability of the system and the importance of privatization as an airport development model. On the other hand, the Managing Director of the ADV (German Aerodrome Association) Ralf Beisl has taken the opportunity to point to the importance of good relations between regulators and airline companies with the aim of improving the level of service, improving efficiency and reducing costs affecting passengers.

In addition, Tomas Voldbaj, Copenhagen Airport Executive Director, Holger Linkveiler, Managing Director of AviAlliance, and Arturo Recio, Global Co-President for Infrastructure and Real Estate HSBCs, participated in the panel. Through their interaction, the participants were able to see the advantages and weaknesses of privatization, and it was emphasized that it was essential to focus on the value and content of the investment, reduce risks as much as possible and increase the commercial revenue of the airport.

Also, on the first day of the conference, Minister Nuković led a panel on the airport concession in Montenegro, attended by potential bidders who expressed interest in investing in a project of national significance, and the high representative of ADP, TAV, Egis, Daa International, GMR Airport, Marseille Airport and the airport in Milan, participated in the panel.

There was talk of the potential offered by the country of Montenegro with regard to the promotion of tourism and the economy as well as the improvement of transport infrastructure. Minister Nurković also introduced the plans related to the development of air ports in Podgorica and Tivat as well as the current state of the project. Interested potential bidders have had the opportunity to exchange opinions with the Minister in direct communication, as well as to make comments and suggestions regarding the Concession Act and the Concession Agreement currently underway.

Nurkovic took advantage of the opportunity and expressed satisfaction with good conditions for business development in Montenegro (stable currency, low income taxes, political and economic stability, etc.) as well as to thank the presenters for their great interest and participation. In addition to Minister Nurkovic, the panel was attended by representatives of IFCs who are consultants of the Government of Montenegro in the process of drafting documentation related to the concession of the airport and the future concession execution.

Apart from Minister Nurkovic, representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs Milica Mićunović and Bilsana Bibić are also present in the Montenegrin delegation.

Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs