Laković: The results show a focus on creating new and preserving existing jobs, retraining...

The CEO of the Pljevlja Coal Mine (RUP), Nemanja Laković, speaking at the investment conference "Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro", held in Tivat, emphasized that the company's focus is on strategic and plan-oriented sustainability with the aim of diversifying its business through the development of various activities based on green policies.

"In less than a year since the Just Transition Plan through Business Transformation was presented, the results show a focus on creating new and preserving existing jobs, retraining the workforce, and improving economic activity. RUP has started some of its activities with this, and in the future it must continue to be involved in projects that rely on the use of land for renewable sources, the decarbonization of transport, the digitalization of business, and the use of potential for the wood processing industry," explained Laković.

The Executive Director, as stated in the RUP statement, expressed particular satisfaction that the Northern Investment Compact for Ecology and Resilience (NICER) project was presented at the conference, which will enable the north of Montenegro to become a model for the development of a just and sustainable transition and an example of how the economy can be built on the preservation of nature and the creation of new jobs.

"I hope that we will soon be part of this project, the main components of which are a retraining program to ensure a just transition to a new energy economy, modernization of wood processing and strengthening the export competitiveness of the sector, green tourism and the development of solar and wind power plants. This project brings together innovation, environmental responsibility and the resilience of the Montenegrin economy," explained Laković.

He added that he hopes that involvement in such projects will provide the financial and expert support that small economies desperately need in order to implement the just transition process as efficiently as possible. Projects within the RUP Plan and the Pljevlja Recovery Plan are open to all interested investors who are ready to invest in the sustainable development and modernization of the local community.

Speaking at the panel "Financing the Green Economy and Regional Development", he added that as a company with a vision of sustainability, we plan significant investments in renewable energy sources, and the plan envisages the construction of a solar power plant with a nominal capacity of 81,1 MW, for which the Government of Montenegro has issued a Technical Approval for the preparation of technical documentation, and a 2,2 megawatt small hydropower plant "Durutovići".

The investment conference demonstrated the commitment of Montenegrin companies and EU institutions to work together in the future with the aim of encouraging and achieving sustainable and inclusive investments in Montenegro, with the presence of numerous reputable investors, representatives of the European Commission delegation, state institutions and the diplomatic corps.