Voli's development opens up greater opportunities for domestic producers

"Regarding these investments that I announced on the panel — 80 million euros in the next three years — these are investments in the expansion of retail facilities, ongoing investments in Igalo, a facility in Radoje Dakić, a hypermarket in Nikšić and a large facility in Kolašin. These are four large facilities, in addition to this part related to the construction of a third logistics center, which is cooperation with the EBRD and the recapitalization of Voli by 10,71%. In addition, in the next three years, at least 20 existing facilities will be renovated, both large hypermarkets and supermarkets."

According to him, the third logistics center will play a key role in strengthening ties between domestic manufacturers and the Volija retail network.

"The answer to your question is related to my communication with the EBRD and the recapitalization, which is that through the recapitalization of Voli, we are creating a third logistics center that will enable, through the normal expansion of the retail network, better conditions for us to be in a situation where we can further connect domestic manufacturers with our retail. "That is, all Montenegrin producers who want to invest additionally in agriculture and in overall production, and I mean naturally through raising the standards and competitiveness of their products, can count on the support of the Voli company, or rather the Voli retail chain," he said. Bokan assessed that the conference he spoke at was "truly historic", as clear and positive signals were received from European officials. "We received clear signals, positive signals from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, from Mr. Busque, who said on the panel that there must be stronger cooperation between the state and private sectors, and new investments that will help the EU complete all the chapters that remain to be completed, which are related to the economy." "So, in any case, as a company, in the coming period, through new investments, we will naturally find ourselves in a situation where we need a larger workforce," said Bokan. He also emphasized the importance of better distribution of labor between the state and private sectors, as well as relaxing the labor market from "unrealistic competition" from the state sector. "What is evident now, but I did not want to emphasize this story more than necessary at this conference, are some things that will come to the fore after this conference." This means that through communication between the state and private sectors, we can come to a solution so that employees in the state sector who are currently not employed can come to the private sector and in this way, we can relax the private sector from unrealistic competition from the state sector. We understand, these are all processes and you need to be patient. "We expect to do a lot together in these three years," he said. Speaking about employees and salaries, Bokan recalled that the "Europe 1" and "Europe 2" projects contributed to the growth of earnings, but that Voli achieved even more significant results through its own business. "I have to say that first through the Europe 1 and Europe 2 projects, there was an increase in salaries, but that is not even half of what the Voli company itself has done for its employees through business, through the continuity of good investments and the strategy that contributed to Voli being able to pay those salaries," Bokan said. He said that the company's employees can count on "responsible treatment and responsible management" of their position. "I am sure that employees at Voli can count on responsible treatment and responsible care when it comes to them." But looking at these conferences in general, we are not just talking about Voli, but about all employees in Montenegro, about the private sector. "So I expect the state to reduce competition with the private sector, because we know that 99% of Montenegro's budget is filled by private companies," Bokan concluded.

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