PM Marković in Budva: Full support to local government to return Budva to position of capital of Montenegrin tourism and generator of local and national economy

Prime Minister Duško Marković and the management of Budva municipality stated today that this municipality missed all the chances for progress and attraction of foreign investments in the past four years, which were used even by the municipalities with the lowest incomes and resources, but that with the strategic decision of the new local government it can consolidate public finances in the long run and with the support of the Government, as many municipalities have had and used, Budva will once again take the place of the capital of Montenegrin tourism and a generator of local and national economy.

President of the Municipality of Budva Nikola Divanović, President of the Municipal Assembly Anđela Ivanović and Vice Presidents of the Municipality Petar Ivković and Vladimir Bulatović informed the Prime Minister about the situation in the municipality after the change of local government, the challenges the new government faced and the plans and vision for overcoming challenges and further development.

"There have been no new investments in Budva in the past four years. That means there were no new jobs. There was no vision, so there was no chance," said the President of the Municipality of Budva at the meeting.

The municipal management assessed that, in addition to the inherited account blockade, the biggest challenge is the large number of persons employed in the local government during the mandate of the previous local government.

"When the previous coalition took power, there were 324 employees, of which 50 immediately took severance pay. We should have found 274 workers now. The previous local government employed 177 of them, 131 on the fixed-term employment contract, and 46 the on indefinite-term employment contract. During those employments, the fixed-term employment contracts were hidden and only indefinite-term employment contracts were shown" – it was said at the meeting. The municipal management also informed the Prime Minister about the decisions to abolish or reduce several taxes and other benefits immediately after taking office, as well as to limit the use of official vehicles. "Already in the first month, we used a ton less fuel than was consumed in the same month last year," it was said at the meeting.

President of the Municipality Nikola Divanović told the Prime Minister that the strategic decision of the new coalition is to make a plan for long-term consolidation of finances.

Prime Minister Duško Marković congratulated the municipal management on the courage and dignity expressed in the past period and announced the support of the Government to overcome the challenges.

"At a time when we fought jointly and responsibly throughout Montenegro for the lives and health of citizens, families and nation, we had different development here in Budva - trampling on the state and the individual, culture and dignity. We have seen the vulgarisation of politics and the lowering of all standards. A culture of dialogue should be nurtured with political opponents, and here we saw the opposite and what shouldn't be done. You came out of it as winners, I congratulate everyone individually on the personal courage and dignity that you have shown not only as politicians and professionals but also as citizens. That is why you are for me, without the intention to glorify, the heroes of this spring in Montenegro" – said Prime Minister Duško Marković.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is giving support to a brave and determined team in its intention to heal Budva and overcome the inherited challenges and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

"You have shown so far, and today in every word I have heard, that your general interest - the state interest, the interest of the citizens of Budva is a priority, and then everything else. That is why you have the full support of the Government in order to restart development and return Budva to the posotion of the capital of Montenegrin tourism and a generator of local and national economy," said PM Marković at the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Finance Darko Radunović, Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Economy of Budva Branislav Lakić, Coordinator of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government Snežana Kuč, Acting Director of the Local Public Revenue Administration Jelena Baštica, Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Investments Dragan Vukadinović and Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Social Activities Tanja Kažanegra.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO

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