American companies engaged in the construction of the Adriatic-Ionian Highway through Montenegro and the National Project for the Integrated Cargo Scanning System and Border Control Modernization will have to comply with Montenegrin laws and regulations, while the final decision on their engagement will be made by Montenegro.
The Ministry of Public Works told "Vijesti" this, adding that the financing model has not yet been determined, but that the Agreement opens the possibility of including the American EXIM Bank and DFC.
These two projects are being implemented on the basis of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Implementation of Strategic Projects between Montenegro and the United States, which was signed on July 24 this year in Washington, and entered into force on August 13. Subsequently, on August 24, the US Embassy in Podgorica issued a call for qualified American companies to express interest in participating in the development of the first two strategic projects by September 7.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Public Works Majda Adzović and Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Kejleb Or.
Applications have arrived.
The US Embassy confirmed to "Vijesti" that it had received expressions of interest from American companies for both priority projects that begin concrete cooperation under the Agreement, but it could not announce which companies had applied or which project each of them was interested in.
"The U.S. Embassy has received expressions of interest from U.S. companies for both priority projects that will begin concrete cooperation under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the United States and Montenegro. We are coordinating closely with the Government of Montenegro as the process enters its next phase, and at this stage we are not disclosing information about individual companies. We are actively working with Montenegrin partners to identify additional opportunities for cooperation under the Agreement and are seeing increasing interest from U.S. companies in doing business in Montenegro," the U.S. Embassy said.
In the initial phase, companies were required to submit basic information, a short profile with relevant experience and capacities, and contact information. The invitations did not constitute a public procurement or a call for proposals, but rather the formation of a pool of interested American companies, and the subsequent procedure will be limited to those that responded to the invitation.
From the Ministry of Public Works, headed by the Minister Majda Adzović They pointed out that the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the USA on cooperation in the implementation of strategic projects opens a new opportunity for faster and higher-quality implementation of large infrastructure and development projects in Montenegro.
"Among the first projects within this cooperation model is the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor, which has the potential to, in addition to road infrastructure, connect energy and digital capacities and further improve Montenegro's connectivity with the region and the European market. No less significant is the National Project for the Integrated Cargo Scanning System and Modernization of Border Control, especially considering the importance of improving border security, strengthening customs capacities and more efficient control at border crossings, as well as Montenegro's obligations in the European integration process, including the area covered by negotiation chapter 24," the Ministry of Public Works explained.
As they stated, the call for expressions of interest represents the initial phase of the procedure and only American companies that responded to this call can participate in the next phase of selecting partners for the implementation of the project.
"This call does not select a contractor or award a contract, but rather identifies companies that have the interest and capacity to participate in the implementation of the project. The subsequent phases will be implemented within the framework of the mechanisms provided for by the Intergovernmental Agreement, with the joint participation of the Montenegrin and American sides. The final decision on the selection of partners will be made by Montenegro, with the full participation of the American side in the process preceding that selection. Namely, the American side participates in the identification of interested companies and continues to provide institutional and professional support for the further implementation of the Agreement, while Montenegro defines the needs, criteria and conditions of the project and makes the final decision on the selection of partners," the Ministry of Public Works emphasized.
The contract will define the details.
This government department explained that the public call did not announce individual sections, but the entire Adriatic-Ionian Corridor project through Montenegro, which includes the preparation of the necessary technical documentation and the execution of works. They added that the specific scope, phases, priorities and implementation dynamics will be specified in the next steps, in accordance with the needs of Montenegro and the development of the project.
"One of the important opportunities opened by the Intergovernmental Agreement is the involvement of American financial and development institutions, including EXIM Bank and DFC, in considering possible models for financing strategic projects. The role of the Ministry of Finance is particularly important in this process, as it will, within its competence, participate in defining an appropriate and sustainable financing mechanism. The Agreement enables Montenegro to discuss these models with clearly defined institutional partners on the American side. The final financing model will be specified in the following stages, after considering all available options and the interests of the state," the Ministry of Public Works said.
All mechanisms for the functioning of the highway after its construction, including the method of management, maintenance and toll collection, as well as the possible period of engagement of the selected partner, as stated by the Ministry, will be specified in the contract with the selected company.
"In accordance with the implementation model that Montenegro has chosen as optimal, sustainable and most favorable in the long term for the state and its citizens, all in accordance with the planning documentation, applicable regulations and the needs of Montenegro. It is understood that the selected partner will be obliged to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Montenegro," the Ministry of Public Works said.
They accelerate the implementation of strategic projects
The Ministry said that the implementation of the Agreement already has concrete dynamics, in addition to the already published public calls, which is confirmed by the four-day working visit of representatives of the American Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), which provides institutional support for the implementation of the Agreement on the American side.
"During the four-day visit, a series of working meetings were held with representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Customs Administration, Monteput, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, as well as the Protector of Property and Legal Interests of Montenegro," the Ministry stated.
They explained that the discussions were focused on specific mechanisms for implementing the Agreement, inter-institutional coordination and defining next steps, with a special focus on the preparation of priority projects, models for their implementation and financing, as well as connecting road, energy and digital infrastructure.
"Four days of intensive work with American partners show that the Agreement is not just a framework for future cooperation, but a mechanism whose concrete implementation has already begun. The Agreement represents an opportunity for Montenegro, in partnership with the USA, to accelerate the preparation and implementation of its most important strategic infrastructure projects, with the active participation of the American side, but also with the clearly preserved right of Montenegro to define its needs, choose a partner and decide on the final implementation and financing model," the Ministry of Public Works concluded.
"One of the important opportunities opened by the Intergovernmental Agreement is the involvement of American financial and development institutions, including EXIM Bank and DFC, in considering possible models for financing strategic projects," the Ministry of Public Works said.
Estimated value of the Adriatic-Ionian Road 2,8 billion
In the public call, the US Embassy stated that the Government of Montenegro envisions the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor as an integrated strategic infrastructure corridor connecting Montenegro with neighboring countries, and that in Montenegro the corridor is planned as a common route that combines transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.
"The section through Montenegro will connect Croatia, from the border of Montenegro with Bosnia and Herzegovina to the border of Montenegro with Albania. The project concept includes a highway of approximately 127 kilometers in length, with an estimated construction value of approximately 2,8 billion euros, the planned Montenegrin section of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) of 94 kilometers in length, as well as telecommunications infrastructure that will be developed within the integrated corridor," the invitation states.
The integrated approach, as indicated, aims to coordinate route selection, land acquisition, construction and planning of infrastructure in the transport, energy and digital infrastructure sectors, while simultaneously strengthening Montenegro's regional connectivity with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the wider Adriatic-Ionian region.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
