A Concession Agreement for the Shipyard Bijela was signed

Concession Agreement for the Shipyard Bijela between the Government of Montenegro and the Consortium Adriatic Marinas doo and B.V. Holding Maatschappij Damen was signed today in the premises of the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs.

The contract was signed by the Director of the Port Authority Vladimir Stijepčević, the Executive Director of Adriatic Marinas d.o.o. David Margason and Authorized Representative Damen Holding B.V. Kant Eliza.

The Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Osman Nurkovic, after signing, expressed his satisfaction with the signed contract and pointed out that it was a good project for the state and Damen as a leaseholder.

"I think that benefits from this lease will soon be seen through the valorisation, construction and servicing of megayachts and the recruitment of a large number of people." What Damen works in the world is recognized and we are pleased to have a contract with such a company. and I think that will be to the satisfaction of all, and I want to congratulate and succeed in working Damen as the main contractor and realization of this whole investment, "Nurkovic emphasized.

Port Authority Director Vladimir Stijepčević said that the concession contract will last for 30 years and envisages an investment of 20 million euros in the first three years since the start of the investment program, and in the fifth year it envisions employing more than 300 workers.

Authorized Representative Damen Holding B.V. Kant Eliza said he was proud that the concession contract was signed with the Government of Montenegro after a long work that began in 2012.

"We are very happy to start a new phase of life at the Shipyard Bijela after a long period of business without doing business in Bijela. Together with our partners, we have a long-term vision in Montenegro when it comes to yacht maintenance and overhaul. Given that there is a large client base in Porto Montenegro and Damen company has great experience and knowledge in yacht maintenance and overhaul we really hope we will have success in this business. Along with the ongoing support of the Government of Montenegro and our cooperation with the partner and the local community, we want to rebuild our business activities at the Shipyard Bijela and achieve the successes it has achieved, bring new jobs and utilize many business opportunities both locally and globally ", said authorised reprezantive of Damen.

Executive Director of Adriatic Marinas d.o.o. David Margason emphasized that the benefits for Bijela, Herceg Novi and the Bay of Boka Kotorska will be great.

"The plan is to bring more than 300 people back to the shipbuilding industry and Herceg Novi will again have a chance to become an ancillary to providing shipbuilding services to the Mediterranean maritime market. We are indeed happy to have this key step made and I think this project will be an ideal example as the nautical and tourism industry in Montenegro can lead to job creation not only in the industry of overhaul, shipbuilding but also in the creative industry, "he said.

Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs

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