Corruption-free capital investments will be generator of Montenegro's economic development

Corruption-free capital investments in transport and energy, of equal opportunities for all investors, with efficient public administration, will be a generator of economic development. In order for Montenegro to live up to its maximum potential in terms of investment, it is necessary to transform public companies, which, instead of creating value, represent a burden and risk to the state budget.

Minister of Capital Investments Mladen Bojanić, within the Government's video campaign "Potpisujem" (I sign) on the first 100 days of work, said that citizens will no longer pay for the mistakes of inefficient and non-transparent management of public companies.

"We have started a systemic fight against corruption and started improving corporate governance in large state-owned companies. We entered 2021 with the establishment of a new national airline - ToMontenegro. The new airline will be modern, stable and based on market principles, which will be the pride of Montenegro and all its citizens," said Bojanić.

He stated that a special Department for the improvement of corporate governance had been established, as well as a Department for the fight against corruption with already visible and measurable results.

Bojanić pointed out that roads and railways, sea, ports, solar and wind energy, ores and oil, are common resources, and that they should be used in the best way, for the benefit of all citizens and the economy.

"We have started many important projects and accelerated negotiations with existing strategic partners, in order to improve the position of Montenegro and achieve maximum economic benefits. Talks with the contractor, the creditor and the supervision have been intensified in order to solve the existing problems and to complete the works on the the Smokovac - Mateševo priority section as soon as possible," said Bojanić.

He added that preparations for the beginning of the first exploration well in the Montenegrin coast in cooperation with the Eni-Novatek consortium have been completed.

"The project of reviving the lead and zinc mine Brskovo has been intensified with the renowned mining company Tara Resources," said Bojanić.

He assessed that only easily accessible countries are attractive for tourism, only energy-stable countries are economically rich, "and our goal is to be among them".

"With the support of the European Transport Community, the process of defining priorities in the construction and reconstruction of road and railway infrastructure has been opened. Negotiations have begun with the European Energy Community in order to find a solution to the problem of thermal power plant Pljevlja," said Bojanić.

As he said, watercourses are one of the greatest natural resources of Montenegro and must be preserved.

"Due to the damage that small hydropower plants cause to river ecosystems, while they contribute to the energy balance in a negligibly small percentage, this Government has made a decision on a permanent ban on the construction of small hydropower plants on Montenegrin watercourses.The Brajići wind farm project has been launched, as well as several projects related to energy from renewable sources. A tender for the solar power plant Velje brdo is being prepared," the Minister pointed out.

He believes that the country's success depends directly on the staff who, as he added, will professionally, dedicatedly, enthustically and persistently implement economic policies aimed at comprehensive economic progress, increasing employment and standard of living.

"In order to achieve success, we need the best staff that Montenegro has. We invited our citizens to share their knowledge and thus contribute to the development of state-owned companies and we have received 600 biographies of various profiles. We are choosing the best ones because only those are able to carry the huge burden of obligations that are in front of us. If we all believe and work hard, we will join the society of stable economies", stressed the Minister.