The Mayor of the Capital City of Cetinje, Aleksandar Kašćelan, said that the Capital City started a series of activities in mid-February to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus and to prepare for the situation we are witnessing now.
"We believe that you are familiar with most of the measures and activities undertaken, which are coordinated with the national authorities, and which are yielding good results for now - there are no people infected with the coronavirus in Cetinje. We certainly share with you our concern for our fellow citizens and businessmen, but also, as responsible administration, we are also working on finding solutions that should make life easier for citizens and the economy during and after the new corona virus. In this sense, the Capital of Cetinje passed last week a special Instruction for the work of organs, companies and services during the duration of the epidemic caused coronavirus, which regulates their work in new circumstances in a new way and brings benefits to both citizens and the local economy. Regarding the news from your letter about the necessity of defining support measures, we remind you that the Government of Montenegro has already presented numerous types of support for the economy and citizens, but and that in the previous days and weeks, the Capital, independently or in cooperation with partners, distributed aid packages to citizens in a state of social need, pensioners with the lowest incomes, the elderly and the infirm, as well as locals in Katunska and Rijeka nahija who needed help. This action is implemented continuously. We bought, precisely from the capital budget, a mobile X-ray machine for the "Danilo I" General Hospital and with the support of the Glosarij company, a respirator," said Kašćelan.
He says that in the mentioned Instruction for the work of authorities, companies and services during the epidemic caused by the coronavirus, they prescribed, among other things, that from April 1, it is possible to reduce the amount of the local communal tax for the installation of a summer garden, a closed garden, and other temporary facilities, for the period in which the parties did not use the space on the public surface, as well as the reduction of the tax for taxi stands for the period in which the parties did not use the space for parking motor vehicles.
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"It is also planned to enable, in proportion to the time of use, a reduction in the amount of the annual fee for the use of commercial facilities with access from the municipal road for the year 2020. The instruction also provides that the Property Directorate, upon request, exempts it from paying rent for a period of 90 days , tenants who have signed contracts for the lease of business premises owned by Prijestonica Cetinje, except for those tenants who can carry out their regular activities unhindered, and the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection postpones the payment of the fee for communal equipment of construction land for a period of 60 days, as and fees for the legalization of illegal buildings for taxpayers who have concluded contracts with the dynamics of payment in installments," announced the mayor of Cetinje.
According to Kašćelan, these are just some of the measures provided for in the Instructions, the implementation of which will only bring benefits to the users.
"Additionally, although we are convinced that your letter was written in good faith, we still have to point out that to a considerable extent it moves from concern for the socio-economic status of citizens and the economy to political terrain, which in the given situation has no place or time. As an experienced politician and official of the government department dealing with the economy, you know very well that the money determined by the Law on the Capital City can be used exclusively for the purpose and with attached evidence of the work done to the competent state authorities. However, we are glad that you recognize the benefits that the Law on the Capital City has for Cetinje, even though your party did not support in the national parliament. Also, as a citizen, an experienced politician and public administration official, you should know that Prime Minister Duško Marković formed a working group on March 30 to prepare a proposal for a new package of support measures for Montenegrin companies, entrepreneurs and citizens in dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic The aim of the measures is to provide assistance to the economy and entrepreneurs to preserve resources, employees and activities. The capital of Cetinje, as the cornerstone of Montenegrin statehood, is neither, nor can it be, exempted from these measures."
Kašćelan says that the National Coordinating Body for Infectious Diseases has also formed an Operational Headquarters for the support of the economy during the duration of the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, whose goal is constant communication with representatives of the economy in order for them to function in the new circumstances.
"The task is to define and interpret the open questions that came from a large number of businessmen after the adoption of the Order on taking temporary measures to prevent the introduction into the country, suppression and prevention of the transmission of the new coronavirus, as well as constant communication with the economy in order to function as well as possible due to unforeseen circumstances caused by the new coronavirus. The operational staff functions within the Ministry of Economy. As part of the overall emergency measures of the Government of Montenegro, the Investment and Development Fund made a decision on a new credit line, intended to support liquidity for businessmen, with the aim of mitigating the consequences caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the credit line, the amount of the loan can be up to 3 million euros, the grace period is up to 2 years, and the interest rate on funds from the EIB is 1,5 percent, while the interest on funds from some other sources will be 2 percent. This credit line will be used exclusively for the needs solving the problem of insolvency caused by the consequences of the corona virus pandemic. The funds can be used for the purchase of products, semi-products, raw materials, as well as for the payment of salaries. Also, loans are intended for entrepreneurs, micro and small businesses that are directly threatened. These are restaurateurs, craftsmen, taxi drivers, small trucking companies, small boutiques, hairdressers, private kindergartens, small shops and other entrepreneurs who had to close their facilities," said Kašćelan.
He also reminds that on March 19, the Government of Montenegro adopted several measures aimed at making life easier for citizens and helping the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. It measures the following:
"Deferral of loan repayment at the request of citizens and businesses at all banks, microcredit institutions and IRF for a duration of 90 days. Postponement of tax and salary contribution payments as well as obligations in accordance with the Law on Reprogramming. Creation of a new IRF credit line intended to improve the liquidity of entrepreneurs, micro , small, medium and large enterprises up to a maximum amount of three million euros per beneficiary, according to a simplified procedure, without an approval fee and with an interest rate of only 1,5%. Provision of one-time financial assistance to pensioners with the lowest pension and beneficiaries of material security in the amount of 50 euros each. Postponement of lease payments for state-owned real estate, also for a period of 90 days. Suspension of payment of the variable part of the salary and all budget benefits for work in commissions, management boards and other working bodies. Limitation and control of budget spending with a ban initiation of all public procurements except those that are necessary for the functioning of the health system, i.e. emergency procurements, in accordance with the provisions of the law. Advance payment to service providers and contractors for capital projects started with the provision of a bank guarantee in the value of the advance, in order to ensure their liquidity and maintain continuity in the performance of works, where this does not endanger the health of citizens."
He says that all measures related to the liquidity of the economy also apply to companies that are the founders of Montenegrin media.
"From all of the above, it is clear that the national authorities, in coordination with the local ones, are working thoroughly to mitigate the consequences of the new coronavirus on lives and the economy. We understand the concern, but we expect trust and we will not hesitate to accept an outstretched hand if we need help. We have pointed out many times that we want better, different, more prosperous and Cetinje full of youth. Regardless of all the obstacles and existing circumstances, we are working on it. We need solidarity, understanding, togetherness, and care for ourselves and others now. Let politics be in second plan at least for 90 days," Kašćelan concluded.
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